Emil Loeffler
Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame
Class of 2018
Loeffler in the golf shop at Oakmont Country Club - Photo courtesy of the Loeffler family
Inducted Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at The Club at Nevillewood
Emil Loeffler was born in 1895 and at the age of ten, he began working as a caddie at Oakmont Country Club. In 1912, Loeffler was promoted to caddiemaster, and that was the beginning of his extensive career at Oakmont Country Club. He took over as the course’s superintendent in 1916 and held that title until 1948. While superintendent, Loeffler was responsible for adding some of the golf course’s demanding features that are still a staple of the famous layout today. He became Oakmont’s head professional in 1927. When he retired from that position, he was reportedly the highest paid golf professional in the country. Loeffler is credited with designing over 20 golf courses, many of which are in the Western Pennsylvania region. Loeffler also had a fine playing career. He won the 1920 WPGA Open Championship and the Pennsylvania Open Championship in 1920 and 1922. Loeffler played in six U.S Open Championships and was a quarterfinalist in the 1922 PGA Championship.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and 37,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund.