Introduction
Robert W. Duden (September 5, 1920 – March 22, 1995) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s.
A lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon, Duden compiled a remarkable record in sectional golf competition. He won over 50 tournaments in a 40-year career that included 23 major Pacific Northwest Section events including a record 7 wins of the Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship; he won the Oregon Open a record eight times. In competition on the PGA Tour, Duden's best showings were three 2nd place ties between 1959 and 1964. His best finish in a major championship was T-46 at the 1954 U.S. Open.
Duden invented and patented the croquet style putter, which he named "The Dude". When other well-known professionals like Sam Snead adopted this revolutionary putting technique, its popularity began to surge; however, the USGA banned it when tradionalists like Bobby Jones objected.
Duden had 22 holes-in-one during his career. In his later years, he worked as a teaching pro at Glendoveer Golf Course, where an annual tournament bears his name. Duden was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Section PGA Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 1995.
Regular career wins (22)
this list is incomplete
- 1952 Oregon Open
- 1953 Oregon Open
- 1958 Almaden Open
- 1959 Oregon Open, Northwest Open
- 1960 Washington Open, Sahara Pro-Am
- 1961 Pacific Northwest PGA Championship
- 1962 Oregon Open
- 1963 Northwest Open
- 1966 Pacific Northwest PGA Championship
- 1967 Oregon Open
- 1968 Northwest Open
- 1969 Oregon Open, Washington Open
- 1970 Oregon Open, Washington Open, Pacific Northwest PGA Championship
- 1973 Oregon Open
- Two British Columbia Opens
- Pay Less Classic
Senior career wins (7)
this list is incomplete
- 1971 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
- 1973 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
- 1975 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
- 1976 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
- 1978 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
- 1979 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
- 1982 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship
U.S. national team appearances
- PGA Cup: 1977 (tie)