Class of 1994

Tod Menefee

Golf Professional / Teacher

Biography

Born in San Antonio on December 15, 1906, Tod Menefee's life changed at 10 years old when a brand new golf course opened in town. Old Brack was new Brack at the time and it was where Tod watched the first Texas Open in 1922 with the Schriever boys, played to his heart's content and ultimately became Old Brack’s head professional before his 25th birthday in 1931. He was best friends with Harvey Penick, and the two of them frequently played with Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson in the 1930s. In 1938, Menefee became head professional at San Antonio Country Club and continued in that role for the rest of his career, until retirement in 1980.

Menefee had literally every position available in the Texas golf community and helped promote the rules of golf throughout the state. He is often remembered as the rules referee for the 1940 Texas Open playoff between Nelson and Hogan.

Menefee was proud of his work with at-risk junior golfers. He was married for seventy-two years to Auggie Menefee, a quiet, beautiful woman who was focused on her family, including their daughter, Betty, matriarch of San Antonio’s Cavender automobile empire.

Legacy Video

Career Highlights

Two-Time City Amateur Champion in 1929 and 1930
Medalist, Mexico Amateur in 1930
Co-Founder of the San Antonio Golf Association
President of the Texas PGA
Five-time PGA Section Senior Champion
Texas PGA Section Player of the year
Texas Open Hall of Honor Inductee

Greatness Early On

In 1916 at the age of 10, Tod was introduced to the game of golf, and just seven years later, he won the Texas state high school golf championship. A standout amateur, Tod claimed the San Antonio City Championship in back-to-back years (1929-30), and also was the medalist of the 1930 Mexico Amateur. Tod married his wife, Auggie, the following year and decided to become a club professional instead of pursuing a career as a touring pro. His first job came at Brackenridge Park, where he had played as a child and watched the inaugural Texas Open in 1922.

Playing with the Greats

Tod and legendary golf instructor Harvey Penick were best friends, and the two frequently played with golf icons Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson in the 1930s. Interestingly, Tod served as the rules official for the 1940 Texas Open playoff between Nelson and Hogan at Brackenridge, an event won by Nelson. Tod served as the head professional at San Antonio Country Club for 42 years, beginning in 1938. In 1980, Nelson traveled to San Antonio to participate in his friend’s retirement celebration.

On a Mission in San Antonio

In 1939, Tod co-founded the San Antonio Golf Association and revived the Texas Open after the tournament had experienced a four-year hiatus from 1935-38. Over the next three decades, some of golf’s greatest names — Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead — won the Texas Open. First played in 1922, it is the sixth oldest professional tournament worldwide. In addition, the Valero Texas Open is the oldest professional golf tournament to be held in the same city throughout its entire existence.

Golf Like Ike

Dwight D. Eisenhower played his last round of golf prior to the start of World War II, at the San Antonio Country Club in November of 1941 (he shot a 91). Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Eisenhower received his assignment to lead the Allied Forces in Europe and therefore resigned his membership at SACC. After the war, in the spring of 1946, the general and future U.S. President returned to the area to visit Fort Sam Houston. He called Tod to see if he could play a round of golf, and Tod not only obliged, but even loaned Eisenhower his clubs for the round.

Hope Springs Eternal

During his time as a PGA member, Tod was President of the Texas PGA, five-time PGA Senior Champion, six-time 50 & Over Division champion and Texas Section Player of the Year. He also was inducted into the San Antonio Wall of Fame. As a retiree, he continued to play rounds at the club until he was well into his 90s. Legend had it that Tod shot his age more times than any golfer on record. Tod also struck up longtime friendships with two Hollywood legends, playing many rounds of golf with comedian Bob Hope as well as actor and singer Perry Como.