In 1891, in the same class at North Berwick Public School were Willie Anderson, James Souter, George Livingstone, James Hutchison and George Turnbull. All emigrated and left their mark on American golf. In the junior form was Jack Hobens who helped to draft the constitution of the Professional Golfers Association of America and in the year below, class mates Fred McLeod and Daniel Kenny, were to become national champions.

Listed among the first forty golf professionals in the United States prior to 1898 are George Douglas, Tom Warrender, Harry Gullane, and Willie Anderson and today they are recognised as the true pioneers of American golf. The list of the earliest Australian Golf Professionals includes twins Alex and Jack McLaren, William Russell and brothers Alec and Duncan Denholm.

At the start of the twentieth century, the status of the golf professional was no better than an experienced caddie. Those early pioneers who emigrated to the USA, South Africa and Australia were often restricted to a one year contract and seldom felt secure in their employment. The calibre of the men from North Berwick was such that within a few years their reputation for being honest, and hardworking had increased their standing dramatically. The clubs became proud of their 'Scottish Pro' and longer contracts were offered while many were encouraged to have their wife and children join them. This is an alphabetical list of the amateur's and professional's from North Berwick who made their mark on the game of golf.

ALEXANDER AITKEN (1864-1944)    Club-Maker, Gullane, East Lothian.

Willie Anderson apprenticed as a clubmaker with Alex Aitken at 174, Morningside Road. Willie's father Tom Anderson was head greenkeeper on the West Links at North Berwick and the Anderson family lived at 10, Gillespie Crescent, Edinburgh. Willie Anderson emigrated to America in 1896 and won the US Open four times.

   Wrights Houses, Bruntsfield Links, Edinburgh

Alex Aitken produced a set of clubs in his workshop at Gullane for A. J. Balfour, the Prime Minister and in 1897 he was exporting clubs to P. F. Murphy & Co in Boston, USA. There are some fine examples of Alex Aitken's clubmaking still in existence. Following WW1 Alex moved to 2 Lammerview Terrace, Gullane and he died 27th March 1944 aged 79 years.

Alex's brother Thomas Aitken was appointed professional at Great Yarmouth G.C (1892-1911). He was a PGA member in 1902 and 1911, and spent a year at Stanwell (Shortwood Common), Stains. Tom moved to Gorleston (1912-17), then Northampton (1920-22), and Milford Haven (1922-30), before settling at Gloucester (1930-32). Tom played an exhibition match with Percy Alliss at the opening of the Milford Haven course in 1933.

L. STUART ANDERSON (1870-1913)    Irish Open Champion

Helen, George and their two children lived in a house named St Baldred's on Mitcham Common. In 1905, Helen became the first Lady Golf Professional in Great Britain and gave lessons to the members of Prince's Ladies Club, West Middlesex Ladies Club, and at a number of finishing schools in London. Their father was rector of St Baldred's Church for over thirty years and the family lived at the Parsonage, 16 York Road, North Berwick. He was an original member of North Berwick New Club and one of four trustees in 1880 whose names were taken from the Feu-right of the ground on which the North Berwick clubhouse was erected.

WILLIE ANDERSON Factfile

IAN ARUNDEL (1911-1988)    Masterton G C, New Zealand

His father Arthur Arundel was captain of the Rhodes Golf Club in 1919 and winner of the Maxwell Shield in 1909. Ian's adopted brother Rab Arundel was a member of Tantallon Golf Club and winner of the prestigious Esmond Trophy in 1960 and 1974. The Arundel family continue to resided in North Berwick.

JOHN S. M. ARUNDEL (1894-1972)    Euclid Country Club, Michigan, USA

On leaving school, John apprenticed as a clubmaker before emigrating to the USA. He sailed from Southampton on the S.S. Philadelphia and arrived in New York on 25th October 1920. His contact in America was Mrs. Donaldson, 110 E. 83rd St. New York. Jock Arundel was appointed golf instructor at Meadowbrook Country Club, Northville, a district west of Detroit in Michigan (1924-28). In 1929 he moved to Euclid Golf and Country Club, Kawkawlin, MI. John Arundel died, 25th June 1972 at Coldwater, Branch County, Michigan.

ROBERT AULD (1871-1939)    Dunbar Golf Club, UK

ALEX BELL    Oahu Country Club, Hawaii, USA

In October 1930, Sandy hosted a meeting at Oahu Country Club to establish the Hawaiian Professional Golfers Association which was attended by 12 other charter members. Sandy and his family remained at Oahu Country Club in Hawaii until he retired in 1944. Sandy was inducted into the Hawaiian Golf Hall of Fame in 1989.

ROBERT BERTRAM (1829-1871)    Grand National Tournament, 1857

ROBERT BOLTON    Highland Golf and Country Club, Missouri, USA

In 1912, Bob was appointed the first manager and golf instructor at the newly opened Highland Golf and Country Club of St Joseph. During the winter he started indoor golf in the clubhouse which was popular with the members and each year he played in the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association pro tournament. Bob Bolton moved to Lawrence Country Club in 1921 and then to the United States Army facility at Fort Leavenworth in 1926, both in Kansas. At Leavenworth he was listed as golf instructor at the Officers Club, and lived with his wife Sadie in Park Avenue where they remained until his retirement. Their neighbours in Leavenworth Penitentiary included the notorious gangster Machine Gun Kelly.

JAMES BRASH (1909-2000)    Prestonfield Golf Club, UK

Arnaud Edgar, grandson of Arnaud Massy was assistant to James Brash at Prestonfield for four years before being appointed assistant to Maynard Goldsmith (listed below) pro at Royal Cape Golf Club, South Africa. James Brash and his family lived at 61, Durham Road, Portobello, and he died 24th December 2000 aged 91 years.

ALAN BRODIE (1896-1978)    Jefferson Lakeside Country Club, Virginia, USA

Alan's uncle Jim Souter was the pro at Tuxedo Golf Club, New York. Alan and Jean visited North Berwick in late 1934 for the final time before returning to America in February. For many years after Alan's death his wife Jean would preside over the awards ceremony for the Alan McGregor Brodie Tournament.

LESLIE BROWNLEE (1885-1970)    Fort Smith Country Club, Arkansas, USA

In 1910, Leslie Brownlee gave up his career in golf and became a medical student in Oklahoma City. He qualified as an Oculist specialising in treating diseases of the eye and he moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he practiced at 926 Woodward Buildings. He lived with his wife Ruth and son Leslie at 1017 Elm Street, Birmingham. Brownlee retired to Miami, Florida where he died 17th July 1970, aged 85 years.

MICHAEL BURKE (1905-1932)    L'Ile Rousse, Corsica, FRA

CUTHBERT BUTCHART (1876-1955)    Baltimore C.C, Westchester NY

Following a period of internment during WW1, Butchart returned to London and in December 1920 he emigrated with his wife Rosa to America and was appointed head pro at Baltimore C.C, Westchester NY. During this period he increased his club-making output and supplied many top pros including the clubs used by Water Hagen when he won the 1922 British Open. Cuthbert Butchard died in New York in 1955.

BENJAMIN N CAMPBELL (1865-1908)    Bridge Of Weir, Scotland

Ben Campbell continued to work at Musselburgh and North Berwick and was among a group of pro's who were invited to play at the opening of the new Luffness course in October 1894, and the extended course at North Berwick in June 1895. Ben Campbell died at 9, Kerrs Wynd, Inveresk, Musselburgh in 1908, aged 43 years. At that time his father Jack Campbell was working as a caddie at North Berwick and in 1912 he died in Inveresk Poorhouse.

DOROTHY CAMPBELL Factfile

JAMES G CAMPBELL (1877-1925)    Country Club Of Mobile, Alabama, USA

It was reported that Jamie Campbell had $85,000 worth of Alabama bonds held in his name at the First National Bank of Mobile which were never claimed and reverted to the state treasury. The clubhouse was rebuilt and two years later Campbell's friend Donald Ross redesigned the course at Mobile.

H.BUDD CLARKE    Sioux City Boat Club, Iowa, USA

He joined the professional ranks and was appointed to Rumson Country Club, (NJ). In 1924 he was at San Francisco Golf Club, the following year he moved to Shenecossett Golf Club, Groton (CT), then to Minikahda Country Club, (MN) and in 1928 he was at Sioux City Boat Club, (IO). In 1930, Budd Clarke and fellow pro Alex Olson leased the property of the Morningside Country Club in Sioux City. This was a new venture in club management and the stockholders were the members.

RICHARD & WILLIE COLLINS    Tyneside Golf Club, Ryton, England.

Richard Collins Jnr. was appointed pro at Saltburn-On-Sea (1899-1904), Cleveland Golf Club (1904-08), Ashton-On-Ribble (1910-11); Longcliffe (1911-12). Richard Jnr.'s brother Robert T. Collins joined Willie in America in 1905.

MILLICENT J COUPER J.P.(1902-1971)    Scottish Ladies Amateur Champion

STANLEY CURRIE    High Point Golf Club, USA

Norman Currie emigrated to America, sailing from Glasgow on RMS Transylvania he arrived in New York on 19th April 1927. He altered his name to Stanley Currie on his arrival in America when he was appointed professional at High Point Country Club, North Carolina. In 1928 he joined the staff at the downtown indoor golf course, and in 1930 he was appointed caddie-master at Fox Chapel Golf Club, Allegheny, Pensylvania. In 1940 he was living with his wife Elizabeth at 502 North Ave. W, Pittsburgh and had a golf equipment and instruction business at 719 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh.

JOSEPH DALGLEISH (1860-1941)    Nairn Golf Club, Scotland. UK

His son William Dalgleish (1891-1976), also a clubmaker emigrated to America in 1911. The following year Joe and his youngest son James Clarke Dalgleish (1895-1970) sailed for America and were appointed to the Country Club of Troy in New York. Joe moved to Westfield Golf Club, later named Echo Lake Golf Club in Crawford, New Jersey (1921-23). William was appointed to Tacoma Golf and Country Club in Washington State, then in 1926 to Alderwood Country Club in Portland and two years later to Butte Country Club, Montana. Joe Dalgleish returned to Scotland and was living at 20 Darnell Road, Trinity Edinburgh. Recently two scared head woods made by Joe Dalgleish were auctioned at Sotherby's.

ALEXANDER DENHOLM (1886-1950)    Royal Queensland Golf Club, Brisbane, AUS

In 1913, he was selected to represent the British-Canadian Rifle Team in the competition at Bisley in England. At the start of WW1 the men of the 79th Cameron Highlanders joined with other units at Valcartier Camp, Quebec to form the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force and Alex signed up on 7th September 1914. He had the honour of being chosen as sergeant in charge of the bodyguard to His Majesty the King and Lord Kitchener when they reviewed the Canadian troops on Salisbury Plain.

Townsville Clubhouse

During the Great War he served as a machine gunner and infantryman, and was in the first contingent of the Canadian Scottish regiment to leave Canada for France. He was promoted from the rank of sergeant to major, was mentioned in dispatches twice by Sir Douglas Haig, and awarded the D.C.M. Following the end of WW1, he worked in government service in Canada. In 1922, Alex and his wife Prudence Bee returned to Great Britain sailing from St John's in Newfoundland to Liverpool.

After spending time with their families they continued their journey to Australia on the SS Socrates, arriving in Sydney 1st September 1922. He found work in the well known sports equipment shop of McMillan Deery Co. Ltd at 252 George Street, Sydney. Duncan and Charlie McMillan were Scottish emigrants who persuaded the City Council to layout what was to become Moore Park Municipal Golf Links. Duncan McMillan established Moore Park Golf Club and appointed Alex Denholm as the teaching pro. In September 1923, Alex moved to Queensland where he was appointed pro to Townsville G.C (1923-25), the oldest club in Queensland and the fourth oldest in Australia. Alex lived with his wife in Norris Street, Hermit Park, Townsville.

Alex described as short, thickset with broad shoulders, and looked like a golfer, moved to Stanthorpe Golf Club, south of Brisbane in 1925, and the following year he was appointed the first greenkeeper and professional at Indooroopilly Golf Club in St Lucia, a suburb of Brisbane. At the opening of the Indooroopilly course in July 1926, the Premier of Queensland William McCormack drove the first ball. This was followed by a fourball match between the professionals, Mike Stafford (Brisbane) and Alex Denholm (Indooroopilly) against Dick Carr (Sandgate) and Arthur Spencer (Royal Queensland). At the presentation of prizes, Mr McCormack was gifted a driver made by Alex Denholm.

Harry Sinclair, the Australian Amateur Champion in 1924 and 1925 was a member of Moore Park in the south of Sydney. He played most of his golf at the Australian Golf Club and was a friend of Alex and Duncan Denholm. In 1926, Sinclair entered the Amateur Championship at Muirfield in Scotland and the Denholm brothers organised for Harry Sinclair to play several practice rounds with Ben Sayers at North Berwick.

In 1928 Alex won the Queensland Professional Golfers Championship. He led the qualifying at Yeerongpilly GC and reached the matchplay final against Charles Brown (Goodna GC). Brown led by three after the first 18-holes but Denholm recovered in the second round and won 2 and 1.

When Denholm left Indooroopilly in December 1928, Alex was presented with a silver tea and coffee service on the steps outside the clubhouse as the professional was not allowed to enter the members area. In turn Alex presented the club with a 50 year old golf club and ball which was kept as a memento of Denholm's time at St Lucia.

In January 1929 Alex was appointed head pro at Royal Queensland Golf Club, after 25 candidates applied for the position. He lived with his wife in Taringa, a suburb of Brisbane in a house they called 'Tantallon' on Swan Road. Reginald Want was Alex's first assistant at Royal Queensland followed by Ossie Walker (1929-35).

In 1929, Denholm was elected secretary of the Queensland Professional Golfers Association and in 1933 he was elected President. He continued on the Queensland PGA committee until the 1940s when he was conferred a Life Member of the PGA of Australia.

Alex won the 72 hole qualifying tournament to represent Queensland in the Spalding Australian Overseas Professional Championship in 1931. Played in Melbourne, Denholm finished third equal. The winner was given an all expenses trip to the British Open by A. C. Spalding Ltd.

In 1933 he won the Dunlop Cup, Associates Trophy, and the Yeerongpilly Armistice Cup after a four-way tie. In 1934 he won the Royal Queensland Professional purse with rounds of 73 and 72 and his new assistant Ken Jones was runner-up. That year he also won the Indooroopilly purse and tied for second place in the Queensland Open Championship and won the scratch pize at the AIF cup scoring 68 to equal the course record.

In 1935, Alex (right) won two big handicap events, the Armistice Cup and the Yeerongpilly Cup. He also had the biggest share of money purses contested at the Queensland Open Championship Meeting, including the first prize of £20 in the Veteran competition.

Denholm's name can be seen on the Royal Queensland Autumn Cup (1934) and the AIF Cup (1935) this was a competition for ex-soldiers. The trophy took the form of a silver reproduction of an 18-pounder German shell which had been captured from the Turks by Australian soldiers.

An article in the Sydney Morning Herald in 1933 entitled 'The Golfing Denholm Brothers', described how Alex Denholm was competing in the Queensland Professional Open on the banks of the Brisbane river, while in the background, Alex's brother George D. Denholm, the purser on the liner Jervis Bay, had just arrived from London, and swept up stream past the golfers. The Jervis Bay was owned by the shipping company Aberdeen and Commonwealth Liners which berthed at Hamilton Cold Stores Wharf on the Brisbane River. The following day Alex boarded the Jervis Bay and sailed with George to Sydney where they met up with their younger brother Duncan Denholm pro at Mosman Golf Club. The other brothers Jock and Bob Denholm remained in North Berwick and in 1928 Jock was a semi-finalist in the Irish Open and Bob represented Scotland in the Home Internationals.

Norman Von Nadi, a young caddie at Royal Queensland Golf Club under the supervision of Alex Denholm, became the first Australia born golf professional to win on the British PGA Tour. He won seven events in 1947 which remains a record. Von Nadi was the first Australian to lead the PGA money list and the first to win the Vardon Trophy.

In April 1930 Denholm played in an exhibition match against Walter Hagen and Joe Kirkwood at Royal Queensland. A large gallery followed the match which Denholm and J.Quarton were defeated 2 and 1. In 1939, Denholm played an exhibition match at Royal Queensland against the famous American woman athlete Babe Didrikson Zaharias. She was later reinstated as an amateur and won the Ladies British Amateur Open Championship at Gullane in 1947. Alex retired that year and one of his finest golfing moments came during the Melbourne Centenary Trophy in 1934, when he finished all square against the American Harry Cooper.

Alex Denholm was one of only a handful of pro's in Australia to have a range of golf clubs stamped with their own name. Recently a set of clubs form the 1930s branded with Alex's name were sold at auction for $750 . The irons had hand forged heads and steel shafts, while the woods had hickory shafts. They were branded with A.G. Spalding Bros. and Alex Denholm.

In July 1942, Denholm was pictured in the Courier-Mall (Brisbane) newspaper, working a drilling lathe in a munitions factory during WW2. When Alex retired in 1947, Len King secretary at Royal Queensland during the period Alex was pro, organised a fund raising committee for a memorial to Alex's twenty years with the club. Several of the Brisbane club's held an Open Golf Day with all proceeds going to the fund, including Royal Queensland, Tattersall's Golfing Society at Nudgee and Indooroopilly. Alex lived at 66 Albert Street, Margate a district of Brisbane where he was listed as a carpenter in 1950. Alex Denholm died in Mater Private Hospital in Brisbane on 30th December 1953 aged 67 years.

DUNCAN DENHOLM (1892-1968)    Australian Golf Club, Sydney, AUS

Mosman or 'Swaggerdom' as the Sydney Labor Daily dubbed the members of Mosman Golf Club, which reflected the 'snobbery' attached to golf in Australia at the time. Like most clubs in Australia, women were associate members, had no voting rights and were not allowed to play on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons or public holidays, a restriction on women golfers that remained until the passage of equal opportunity legislation in 1984. The course at Mosman was commandeered by the military during WW2 and was not reinstated. Alex and Duncan Denholm are listed among the earliest golf professionals in Australia.

Hugh Hamilton, a greenkeeper on the West Links took over from Tom Morris as custodian of the links at St Andrews in 1903. It was Hamilton who created many of the bunkers at St Andrews and lengthened the course in reaction to the Haskell ball, he also extended the Jubilee course in 1905.

THOMAS DICKSON    Crestwood Golf and Country Club, Kansas City, USA

Tom and his wife Matilda Turnbull, daughter of Tom Turnbull pro at Helensburgh GC, and their son Fraser returned to North Berwick and was proprietor of the Milsey House Private Hotel, 3 Tantallon Terrace. In 1935 Tom Dickson was clubmaster at the Glen Golf Club and he died 12th May 1957 in North Berwick.

JAMES DISHINGTON    The Creek Club, Long Island, USA

THOMAS DOBSON (1903-1968)    Scottish Amateur Champion 1925

In 1926 Tom Dobson joined the professional ranks and was appointed to East Renfrewshire Golf Club, near Newton Mearns, Glasgow, where the members have named the 1st hole 'Dobson’s View' in memory of their first head greenkeeper and professional who remained with the club until 1956. Tom Dobson played in the Open Championship in 1935 and represented his country in the Home Internationals in 1932, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37; v Ireland 1932, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38; v Wales 1937-38. Tom Dobson died 1st September 1968 at Raeside Avenue, Newton Mearns aged 65 years.

JEAN DONALD (Anderson) (1921-1984)    Curtis Cup Team 1948-50-52

Jean Donald controversially appeared wearing trousers in the Scottish Amateur Championship in 1948.

During WW2 Jean Donald was based at Winthorpe RAF station and played her golf at the neigbouring Newark Golf Club. She represented Scotland in the Home Internationals from 1947-53 and was a finalist in the 1948 British Ladies Amateur Championship. She was selected for the Great Britain and Ireland team to play the USA in the Curtis Cup in 1948-50-52 and her experience played a crucial part in the GB&I victory at Muirfield in 1952.

Jean was elected captain of Gullane Ladies Golf Club in 1951 and captain of North Berwick Ladies Club in December 1953. She decided to turn professional after new rules governing amateurs was introduced in January 1954. She was employed by Dunlop as an amateur and this conflicted with the new rules. Slazenger Ltd. sponsored her visit to Australia in 1954 when she played an exhibition match at Barwon Heads in Victoria. The professional at Barwon Heads was William 'Bud' Russell (listed below) from Gullane. Jean married John Anderson and they lived at Kilbruach, Nisbet Road, Gullane. She played with Slazenger clubs throughout her professional career and her signature sets sold well. Jean died in Gullane Golf Club on the morning of 2 May 1984, aged 63 years. Her medals and trophies are displayed in Gullane Ladies Golf Club.

GEORGE DOUGLAS (1871-1903)    Country Club Of Brookline, Boston, USA

In September 1896 George Douglas won the professional tournament at Knollwood Country Club, Westchester County NY. The report in the New York Times stated there were fourteen Scottish pros and one negro taking part, he was John Shippen from Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. The others included Willie Dunn, and Tom Warrender from North Berwick who was pro at Knollwood. George Douglas representing the Country Club of Brookline covered the 36 holes in 154 strokes and lifted the first prize of $150. The other scores were Willie Campbell, (Myopia Hunt) 155; Horace Rawlins, (Utica) 159; Bertie Way (Meadowbrook) 160; Willie Dunn (Ardsley) 161; Willie Davis (Newport) 162; Willie Tucker (St Andrews) 164; Tom Gourley (Baltusrol) 167; Sam Tucker (St Andrews) 168; John Shippen (Shinnecock) 169; Alfred Ricketts (Albany) 170; Willie Norton (Lakewood green keeper) 174; Willie Kirk (Bar Harbour) 177; John Young (Staten Island) 171; Tom Warrender (Knollwood) 190.

In 1897, George returned to Scotland and was working as a golf pro on the West Links, North Berwick. On 1st August 1897 he enlisted in the 11th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers at the army recruitment office in Edinburgh, and was stationed in Berwick-Upon-Tweed. Private George Douglas (No.6200) fought in South Africa before being posted to the 2nd Battalion KOSB at the British Infantry Barracks in Dinapore, Bengal, India where he died in 1903. His military record states. 'George Douglas died at Dinapore of gunshot wounds self inflicted while temporarily insane - 25th August 1903'. He was taken to the Station Hospital where he was pronounced dead by Billet Adjutant G.B.Stoney.

George Douglas died at the age of 32 years and is listed among the first forty golf professionals in the United States and is recognised today as a true pioneer, and one of the earliest names of golf and clubmaking in America.

DIANA ESMOND    1926 British Girls Open Champion

Diana Esmond was the daughter of Edward Esmond, a wealthy financier and race horse trainer. He owned the property at Marly Knowe in Windygates Road, North Berwick where his family resided during August and September. Edward Esmond also owned property in Paris at 54 Avenue d'Lena near Alma-Marceau and for a month each autumn he engaged George Duncan the pro at Wentworth to travel to Paris and coach his daughters to play golf. In September 1926, Diana Esmond won the British Girls Open Championship at the age of 16 years. Played at Stoke Poges she defeated Dorothy Pearson 6 & 5 in the final.

In 1928, Diana was a finalist in the French Ladies Amateur Championship, but was defeated by Thion de la Chaume, wife of the famous tennis player Rene Lacoste. Diana regularly played in the Mixed Foursome Championship at Worplesdon Golf Club partnering Cyril Trolley. Her father won the event in 1925 partnering Cecil Leitch. Edward Esmond had a handicap of two, and in 1914 he played in the French Amateur Championship along with Marino and Andre Vagliano. Esmond was a member of Golf du Paris Country Club, Saint-Cloud, Paris.

Diana was also a jockey and she raced a number of horses from the Esmond stable to victory at venues such as Laversine and Deauville. Diana was runner-up in the French Ladies Open in 1930 at Golf de Saint Germains, Paris and represented France in several international matches. Her older sister Sybil Esmond was also a fine golfer. In 1928 their father presented the Esmond Trophy to the winner of the French Under-21 Girls International Championship.

Diana Esmond on the right with her opponent Margaret Ramsden.

North Berwick was so popular among his friends that Edward Esmond had to commandeer the Bradbury Hotel to accommodate everyone. They often entertained the Vagliano family who presented a trophy in 1947 to the winners of the Ladies Great Britain and Ireland team against Europe. The Vagliano Trophy continues to be contested biennially.

Diana and Sybil were members of North Berwick Ladies Golf Club and in 1926 their father presented the Bass Rock Golf Club with a trophy for competition among the artisan golfers in East Lothian. The Esmond Trophy takes the form of a silver model of Edinburgh Castle and is recognised as one of the finest trophies among golf clubs in Great Britain, and ranks along with the Silver Frigate of the Thorpeness Club and the Antlers' trophy of Royal Mid-Surrey. The Esmond Trophy continues to be played for over the West Links in July each year.

DAVIE FERGUSON (1884-1963)    Greenville, South Carolina, USA

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David Learmonth Ferguson, a stonemason by trade was born 7th January 1884 in North Berwick. He lived with his family at 8, Clifford Road and at aged 30 years he emigrated to the USA. Ferguson sailed from Glasgow on the steamer S.S. California arriving in New York on 18th May, 1914. He shared the voyage with James Gullane listed below. On his arrival, Davie lived with his brother James Ferguson, a pro golfer at Spring Lake G.C in New Jersey until he found employment. In 1920, David Ferguson was appointed golf instructor at Sans Souci Country Club, Greenville in South Carolina. The following year he returned to North Berwick to escort his wife Annie and their two children to their new home in the USA.

The Sans Souci C.C operated at its original location northwest of the City of Greenville off Old Buncombe Road from 1905 to 1923. On 4th July 1923 it opened at its new and current location on Byrd Avenue. On 7th July 1927 the club changed its name to Greenville Country Club.

During WW2, with the membership in declined, the club released Davie to work for T. G. Gillespie Trading Co. in their munitions factory in South Cranbury, Middlesex, New Jersey. Following the conflict Davie returned to Greenville Country Club where he remained until his retirement. His friend Jimmy Livingstone said 'Ferguson was so revered and loved in Greenville he was known as Mr. Golf'. David Ferguson died in 1963 and is buried in Greenville Cemetery, South Carolina.

JIMMY FERGUSON    Spring Lake Golf and Country Club, New Jersey, USA

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James Cunningham Ferguson (brother of David above) born 13th July 1881, Quality Street, North Berwick son of John Ferguson, farm labourer and his wife Jane White. Ferguson was appointed pro and greenkeeper at Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club (1894-95) before returning to North Berwick in 1907. He was the first pro at Sandy Lodge GC (1910-11) and then to Hallamshire GC (1911-13) in Sheffield. That year Ferguson won the Sheffield Open Professional Tournament.

Jimmy Ferguson emigrated to America in 1913 and was appointed pro at Spring Lake Golf and Country Club in New Jersey. Shortly after his arrival Ferguson played in an exhibition match at Trenton, against the best ball of George Bowly of Spring Lake and R.C. Maxwell of Trenton Golf Club, and Ferguson won 3 & 2.

Within a few months he had set a new course record and hosted a 72-hole Open Professional tournament which Fred McLeod, a former school friend attended. This was the first time they had been together for over ten years. McLeod won the tournament from a strong field which included Tom McNamara, Jim Barnes and a young Walter Hagen. Alex Smith shot 71, to beat Ferguson's course record by one stroke.

In 1914, Ferguson entered the Metropolitan Golf Association tournament along with North Berwick boys George Sayers, and Jack Hobens, (winner of the event in 1908). During the winter months (1915-22) Ferguson sailed to the West Indies and was golf pro at Nassau Country Club in the Bahamas. He lived in Hotel Colonial in Nassau and returned to New Jersey each spring. In 1915 his wife Nellie (Helen) joined him permanently. Ferguson played in the 1916 US Open and qualified for the matchplay section of the first US PGA Championship. Jim Ferguson lived with his wife at Spring Lake Heights, Monmouth, NJ and remained at Spring Lake C.C for the remainder of his career. His parents John and Jean Ferguson lived at 3, Forth Street, North Berwick.

MARJORY FERGUSON (1937-2003)    Curtis Cup Team-1966

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Marjory Anne Sergeant Ferguson (m/s Fowler) born 15th May 1937 in North Berwick, daughter of John C. Fowler former Provost of the Royal Burgh (1968-71). Marjory came to prominence when she was the first winner of the inaugural Scottish Junior Women's Open Stroke Play at Erskine in 1955, which she won again in 1957 at Kilmacolm.

She represented Scotland in the Home Internationals for over 26 years between 1959 and 1985. She made her debut for Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy against the Continent of Europe in 1965, and was also selected to play in the European Ladies Amateur Team Championship in 1965, 67 and 71. Marjory was defeated by Belle Robertson MBE in the final of the Scottish Women's Amateur Championship in 1966 at Machrihanish and again in 1971 at Royal Dornoch. Marjory won many other titles including the Portuguese Women's Open Amateur Championship.

The highlight of an outstanding career came in 1966 when she was selected for the Great Britain & Ireland team for the Curtis Cup match against the United States at Hot Springs, Virginia. Marjory was a member of Gullane Ladies Golf Club and honorary member of North Berwick Ladies Golf Club. She was East Lothian and East of Scotland champion several times and helped East Lothian to win the Scottish County Championship on many occasions. Marjory married Alistair Ferguson in 1968 and they lived at Clova, Westgate, North Berwick. In 1977 she started the East of Scotland Girls' Golf Association and was chairman of the Scottish Ladies Golfing Association in 2000. Marjory Ferguson died suddenly at North Berwick in 2003, aged 66 years.

EDWARD, FRED AND VAL FITZJOHN    Mohawk Golf Club, NY.

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Herbert (b.1870), Frederick (b.1871), Edward (b.1874) and Valentine Fitzjohn (b.1878) were born in Edinburgh sons of George Fitzjohn, a Police Sergeant in Edinburgh and his wife Grace Willonghby. In 1880 the family moved to Musselburgh where their father George Fitzjohn was appointed clubmaster and steward to the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. In 1891 the family moved with the Honorable Company to their new location at Muirfield in East Lothian. Ed and Herbert worked as clubmakers probably with James H. Hutchison clubmaker to the Honorable Company in his workshop situated beside the first tee on the West Links at North Berwick. During this period 12 year old Valentine Fitzjohn was a licensed caddie at North Berwick.

Ed and his older brother Fred Fitzjohn played in the 1892 Open Championship at Muirfield. Ed worked as a clerk and entered as an amateur, while Fred carded a disastrous 105 in the first round. The following year Ed joined the professional ranks and was invited to take part in the tournament to celebrate the opening of Luffness New Golf Club in 1894.

Their father died in 1895 and their mother Grace Fitzjohn continued as stewardess at Muirfield. In 1896 Herbert was appointed to Stratford-On-Avon Golf Club. Fred emigrated to America in 1896 working in Pennsylvania. Valentine remained at home and was a member of Dirleton Castle Golf Club when he won the Wotherspoon Medal in 1897. Later that year Val and Ed sailed for America and were appointed to Ardsley Golf Club, NY. In September 1897 Val Fitzjohn defeated John Shippen, the first black American golfer in a 36 hole match at Ardsley. In December 1897 a tournament was organised at Lakewood Golf Club with prizes worth $150, and featured the largest gathering of North Berwick caddies on American soil, including Harry Gullane, Robert M. Thomson, Willie Anderson, Jamie Campbell, Willie Collins, James Litster, John Forman and Tom Harley from Aberlady. The tournament was played on New Years Day 1898 when the 'negro' John Shippen also took part and Val Fitzjohn defeated his brother Ed at the first extra hole to lift the first prize of $75.

In the winter of 1898 the Fitzjohn brothers traveled south and were the first pros to be appointed to Bon Air Golf Club, Augusta, GA (later Augusta Country Club). In 1899 the brothers moved to Springfield, New York and worked as Club and Ball Makers at Otsego Country Club, part of the prestigious Otsego Hotel in Coopertown NY. In 1899, Val Fitzjohn (Otsego) finished third in the US Open at Baltimore, won by Willie Smith.

In 1901 they signed up to the famous Mohawk Golf Club in Schenectady NY. Fred branched out on his own in Montgomery County NY, before moving to Detroit, where he worked freelance as an instructor and clubmaker from his home at 146, Harrison Street. Ed was pro at Albany Country Club, Voorheesville, NY where he also designed golf clubs and had several patents to his credit which remain popular among collectors today.

PATRICK FLYNN (1907-1973)    Elgin Golf Club, Morayshire

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Patrick Flynn born 13th May 1907, 1 Harmony Place, North Berwick, son of Patrick Flynn, a fishmonger's carter and his wife Elizabeth Quinnen. Patrick apprenticed as a plumber and was a scratch medalist of the Bass Rock and Rhodes Golf Clubs at North Berwick. In 1927 he won the prestigious Hope Challenge Medal over the Kilspindie course and in 1929 he won the Haldane Cup over the Glen Course and the Challenge Medal over the West Links. In 1931 and 1932 he won the Haldane Cup over the Gullane links. In 1932 he was a member of the four-man team which won the Wemyss County Cup representing the Rhodes Golf Club. That year he entered the Scottish Amateur Championship at Dunbar.

In 1934 he was appointed assistant pro to Ben Sayers Jnr. at North Berwick and that year he entered the Scottish Professional Championship at Nairn scoring rounds of 79,79,78,74, for an aggregate of 310.

Patrick married Margaret Ramage from Bannockburn and in April 1935 he was appointed pro at Elgin Golf Club and the couple lived at 62 South College Street, Elgin. Following WW2, Patrick Flynn returned to his trade as a plumber. He died at Whins of Milton, Stirling on 9th January 1973 aged 65 years.

JOHN FORREST    Lindrick Golf Club, South Yorkshire.

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John Forrest, born 21st April 1854 in North Berwick, son of John Forrest, coach hirer and his wife Christina Thomson. Johnny lived with his parents, two brothers and a sister at 1 Forrest Court, situated on the corner of Church Road and Beach Road. The stable courtyard can be seen today behind the double gates.

His brother William Forrest was a founder member of Bass Rock Golf Club in 1873 and winner of the summer and autumn medals that year. Johnny also joined in 1873 and won the summer medal in 1876. He dominated golf in North Berwick from 1885, playing off a handicap of plus-four he won the Bass Rock summer medal six consecutive years. In 1890 he held the record for the lowest scratch score of 72 in a Bass Rock G.C competition, and also the lowest at Tantallon G.C with a 74. In 1891 he entered the Amateur Championship at St Andrews and the following year he won the Hope Challenge Medal over Kilspindie Links.

In November 1893 Johnny Forrest was appointed golf professional at the Sheffield and District G.C, later to be named Lindrick G.C in South Yorkshire. The Lindrick club history suggests that in December 1892 the Club professional holed-in-one at the 130 yard 7th "using Sir W. Dalrymple's hammer headed club and a Slazenger ball".

This was in fact a club designed by Sir Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple and made by James H. Hutchison in his workshop at North Berwick. The patent was approved in May 1893 but the hammer-head design was not popular enough to go into full production. Johnny Forrest , as the leading player in the town would have been involved with Hutchison in testing the club and suggesting modifications. Taking the clubs to Shireoaks during an early visit would have impressed the members and the hole-in-one probably sealed Forrest's appointment." In 1894-95 Forrest was also connected with the Shireoaks Golf Club which no longer exists.

Johnny Forrest played in the 1895 Open Championship at St Andrews and completed four rounds. He also played in the Open at Hoylake in 1897. Forrest was pro at the club for 20 years and was appointed Caddie-Master in 1913, a position he retained until 1920 when he retired at the age of 66 years. He lived with his wife Helen Lymburn and daughter Ethel at 53 Gladstone Street, Worksop and each year he sent a club for a prize at the Bass Rock G.C Summer Meeting, a tradition the clubmakers who left North Berwick continued for many years. John Forrest died at Worksop in 1925 and his family are buried in the North Berwick Churchyard in Kirkports where an obelisk lists their names.

JACK FORRESTER (1894-1964)    Baltusrol, New Jersey, USA

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John McIntyre Forrester, born 19th February 1894 in 85, Port Street, Glasgow, son of James Forrester, a merchant seaman and his wife Jane McIntyre. In 1900, his father was leading boatman in the Coastguard Service living in Cairnryan House, Inch, Wigtown and a year later he was transferred to Stornaway where the children attended the Nicholson Institute. In May 1905 he moved to North Berwick and the family lived in the Coastguard Cottages in Melbourne Road. In 1905, John and his younger brother William were licensed caddies on the West Links. John attended North Berwick Public School before joining the GPO as a postman. He was a member of the Rhodes Golf Club in North Berwick and at the age of 17 he won the Haldane Cup and Maxwell Shield in 1911, and set a new amateur record of 71 for the Glen Course in 1913.

John Forrester moved with his parents to 18 Balfour Street and two weeks after War was declared he enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at a recruitment meeting in North Berwick on 29th August 1914. No.2978 Sergeant John Forrester was transferred to the 2/6 Gurkas Riffles and fought in France and Flanders for almost a year before being posted to Salonica in Macedonia for three years. He contracted malaria in 1916 and spent time in hospital.

(Left to Right) Mike Brady, Tommy Armour, Willie Macfarlane, Leo Degel, Joe Kirkwood, Joe Turnesa, Johnny Farrell,
Jack Forrester, MacDonald Smith, Gene Sarazen.

Forrester sailed to America from Glasgow on the S.S. Columbia and arrived in New York on 8th March 1920. His contact was Carl H. Anderson manager of the golf equipment store Thomas E. Wilson & Co, in the Emporia building at 25 West, 45th Street, New York, (later known as the 'Wilson Company'). Anderson was born in 1889 at Brockton, Mass. and was club champion of the Brockton Country Club at the age of fifteen. He was schoolboy champion of greater Boston in 1908 and turned pro in 1909. It is not known if Forrester was employed at Wilson's store but during the winter he joined Carl H. Anderson in Florida and they played in the Palm Beach Golf Club professional tournament. Forrester returned north in the spring and was appointed pro at Meadow Brook Golf Club, in New Jersey in 1921.

Later he moved to Hollywood NJ (1923-25); then to Baltusrol NJ (1926-28); Oradell NJ (1929); and Hackensack NJ (1930-34). He qualified for the US Open from 1921-1935 with his best finish being fourth place in 1923.

He played in the US PGA Championship in 1921 (defeated by Walter Hagen in the first round), also 1923 and 1924. Sandy-haired Jack Forrester was the most successful pro in New Jersey from 1926 until 1936. He won the Mid-South Open at Pinehurst in 1928 and the New Jersey State Pro/AM on several occasions.

In 1923, David Campbell was appointed assistant to Jack Forrester at Hollywood Golf Club (NJ). Davie was the brother of Alex 'Nipper' Campbell (Brookline) a member of the famous golfing family from Troon in Ayrshire. Davie was assistant pro at Gleneagles before joining Jack Forrester at Deal. That year Davie won the New Jersey Open and Jack Forrester finished third. Davie was 26 years old when he met his brother Alex for the first time in America.

During the winter months from 1923-1931 Jack Forrester joined an increasing band of professionals who played tournaments in California, Texas, Arkansas and Florida, before returning north in the spring. This new breed of professionals where known in the press as the troubadours - who wandered first class, some in Lincolns, Cadillacs and Packards, from post to post, making their temporary abodes during the winter wherever a tournament was in progress.

The trail led to California where two big events - the California and Long Beach open championships were held, through Texas and Arkansas where the Dallas, Texarkana and South Central open championships were staged, then to Florida for the Miami, Central Florida, West Coast, Florida, South Florida open championships, before breaking the journey north with their final tournament at Pinehurst for the North and South open. The prize money available over the winter amounted to $28,000.

Forrester was described in the sports pages of the New York Times as a dyed-in-the-woods Scot who retained his 'burr' despite a long residence in the USA. Although he was not born in North Berwick, Jack listed the town as the place he came from at every opportunity. He lived with his wife Anne and their two sons at 341 Grove Street, Bergen, NJ. Jack Forrester was elected President of the New Jersey PGA (1933-35) and died in August 1964 at Barnstable, Massachusetts.

JOHN J. FRASER    Inverness Golf Club

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John James Fraser born 15th June 1895, 10 St Stephen Street, Edinburgh, son of John Fraser, a Groom and his wife Elizabeth Risk. John moved with his parents to North Berwick where his father was employed as a carter with the Town Council. John J Fraser was appointed pro at North Wilts G.C (1920-23) before he moved to Inverness G.C (1923-1938) where he laid out the course with George Smith. John remained single and lived in MacEwan Drive, Inverness where he died.

MAYNARD GOLDSMITH    Royal Cape Club, South Africa

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Maynard Mills Goldsmith, born 23rd May 1908 in Cardross Golf Club, Dumbarton, son of Harry Goldsmith, club master and his wife Francis Parker. His parents moved to North Berwick to manage the Temperance Cafe, (now 88, High Street) and then as proprietors of Seabank Hotel in Marine Parade. On leaving North Berwick School, Maynard apprenticed as a club maker with Ben Sayers & Son and was Scottish Amateur Champion in 1926.

For three years he was assistant to Norman Grant from North Berwick at Cannes Golf Club in France before being appointed head pro at Lucerne Golf Club in Switzerland in 1929. He remained there for eight years and was Swiss Professional Champion in 1933, runner-up twice and also winner of the Swiss Close championship. His pupils were both winner and runner-up in the Swiss Amateur in 1936-37.

Maynard married his first wife Ethel Millar in North Berwick in 1935 and they had a son William. In August 1937, Maynard was appointed pro at the Royal Cape Club in South Africa after being recommended for the position by Henry Cotton and Percy Alliss. Twenty candidates applied for the job and 'Jock' Goldsmith as he was known, worked on the former military base at Wynberg for the remainder of his career.

Goldsmith played against South African Bobby Locke on several occasions, and in 1939 they contested the final of the matchplay Sunlight Purse, a prestigious professional tournament which Locke won. Goldsmith was playing well that year and had his best opportunity to win the SA Open Championship but had to withdraw after badly cutting his hand on a glass door. WW2 then intervened and Jock Goldsmith served in the Desert and Italian campaigns. During the conflict he met up with Bobby Locke in Cairo, he was flying Liberator bombers between Egypt and Italy. After the war Locke won the British Open Championship four times.

The tradition at Ben Sayers & Son, was for the apprentices on completion of their five years training, to be offered a position as assistant to former Sayers club makers and contacts around the world. Following a request by Maynard Goldsmith for an assistant in South Africa, Allan McLachlan was offered the position and sailed for Cape Town.

Allan McLachlan born 9th December 1914, in Abbey Road, North Berwick, son of Alexander McLachlan, gardener at the Marine Hotel, and his wife Mary Ann Munro. His father later worked on the Abbey Farm and served in the Royal Air Force during WW1. Allan McLachlan apprenticed as a club maker with Ben Sayers & Son in their new workshop in Forth Street. In an interview in the South Africa Golf magazine Allan said, "That was in the days of hickory shafts and we worked from 8am - 6pm and still found time for a round of golf in the evening. I got my handicap down to six, then four. When I was 21 years old I was put in the professional's shop beside the first tee on the West Links, demonstrating Sayers clubs and selling to the customers".

Allan emigrated to South Africa in 1938 to be assistant to Jock Goldsmith at Royal Cape. He also fought in Italy during WW2 and his brother another Sayers apprentice Arthur McLachlan was killed in Burma in March 1945 while serving with the Kings Own Scottish Borderers. In 1947 Allan Mclachlan was appointed head pro at Hermanus Golf Club, 120 kilometers from Cape Town where he remained until he retired in the 1980s.

In February 1951, Goldsmith was joined by Arnaud Edgar, grandson of Arnaud Massy as his assistant. Edgar was previously assistant to James Brash at Prestonfield Golf Club, Edinburgh. Maynard Goldsmith died in 1973 and his grandson continued the interest in golf, wining a scholarship in America in 2011.

Willie Thomson from Forth Street, North Berwick was a founder
member of the Professional Golfers Association in 1901.

CYRIL GOODCHILD (1916-1998)    Bramall Park Golf Club, Stockport, UK

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Cyril Goodchild born 8th January 1916 at 41 Old Abbey Road, North Berwick, son of James Goodchild, a postman and his wife Lynda Parker. Cyril served a five year apprenticeship as a club maker with Ben Sayers & Son and was a member of Rhodes Golf Club and Bass Rock Golf Club winning the Spring Medal (1934); Autumn Medal (1937) and Dickson Cup (1936). In 1938 at the age of 22 years, Cyril was appointed assistant to Henry Cotton at Ashridge Golf Club in Hertfordshire. During WW2 he served in the RAF and landed in Normandy, but after a few months in France he was invalided out and returned to Henry Cotton, then at Coombe Hill and subsequently followed him to Royal Mid-Surrey.

In 1947, Cyril Goodchild branched out on his own and was appointed head pro at Bramall Park Golf Club, Stockport, Manchester where he remained for over 39 years, until his retirement in 1986. Henry Cotton was invited to Cyril's retirement festivities but due to his failing health, the journey from Portugal was too much for him. Cotton contacted the PGA and insisted that Cyril be given a Honorary Associate Membership of the PGA and this was presented to Cyril at his retirement party. Cyril died in 1998 in Manchester and the Ladies section at Bramall continue to play for the Cyril Goodchild Trophy.

DAVIE GRANT SNR. (1860-1903)    Dinard Club, Ille-et-Vilaine, FRA

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David Grant born 16th July 1860 in Wilson Court, Elbe Street, Leith, the illegitimate son of Jane Grant daughter of Daniel Grant, blacksmith. David was raised by his auntie Cecilia Grant in Lochend Road, Leith. His mother Jane married Lawrence Hay and they lived in Earlston.

On leaving school Davie Grant was employed cleaning train engines at St Margaret's Works, Edinburgh and at the age of 18 years he moved to North Berwick and was living at 11, Forth Street. He married Isabella Thomson from North Berwick, part of the Thomson golfing dynasty. Her sister Catherine married Ben Sayers and their brother was Wilfred Thomson. The youngest sister Emily Thomson married James White and their son Jack White won the 1904 Open Championship.

In 1880, Davie Grant was eking a living labouring in the winter at North Berwick and playing in professional golf tournaments around the country. In 1885 he was a professional at Musselburgh and by 1888 was back at North Berwick teaching on the West Links. In June that year he enrolled is youngest son David Grant Jnr at North Berwick Public School. During this period he started a golf ball-making business and by 1890 was employing his brother-in-law Willie Thomson, making golf balls in his house in Forth Street.

Grant was a small man with fair hair and a moustache that looked white from a distance. In 1892, he was engaged by Lord Tweedale, chairman of the North British Railway Company and former captain of North Berwick Golf Club (1890) to layout the course at Silloth in Cumbria. Grant was assisted by Mungo Park who became the first professional at Silloth. During his playing career Davie formed a formidable partnership with his brother-in-law Ben Sayers in fourball matches. On one occasion they defeated Andrew and Hugh Kirkaldy in a well publicised money match. Grant played in his first Open Championship in 1878 at Prestwick. He entered the Championship fifteen times, had six top-ten finishes and his highest place was sixth equal at St Andrews in 1888. That year he was appointed the first professional at the Dinard Club near Ille-et-Vilaine in France. He also played for Scotland in the professional international matches and although he preferred to describe himself as a ball maker, it was in teaching the game that his talent was recognised.

Davie Grant Snr stymied on the 17th green circa 1888

Grant was a pioneer of the one hour lesson rather than the traditional method of teaching while playing a round of golf with the pupil. The professionals could teach on the big course up to the wall but only before 10am and Grant was able to charge 3/6d per hour while the others charged 2/-. Davie took a keen interest in ladies' golf and taught the Orr sisters from North Berwick to play the game and it was said their swing resembled Grant's style. They lived with their parents at 18 Dirleton Avenue and their father engaged Grant as his daughter's personal golf instructor. Their father was very immobile without the aid of his horse and believed in physical training for his daughters and selected golf as their chosen sport. In 1897 the Ladies' Championship in it's fifth year came to Scotland for the first time and was played at Gullane. Two of the Misses Orr sisters contested the final with a third sister reaching the quarter finals. Grant caddied for Edith C. Orr throughout the competition which attracted criticism from the LGU, and she was the ultimate winner 4 & 3.

In 1898 Davie Grant was living in a two-roomed apartment at 33, Melbourne Place with his wife and ten children. David Jnr (b.1882), Kate (b.1884), Arthur (b.1886), Isabella (b.1889), George (1891), Jeanie (b.1894), Norman (b.1896), Alexander (b.1897) Robert (b.1899), Bernard (b.1900). David Grant Snr. died of tuberculosis on 24 June 1903 in Kendall Cottage, aged 43 years.

David Grant Jnr.

David 'Sonny' Grant Jnr. was a colourful character by all accounts. He was charged with assult in March 1889 and sentenced to a fine or 2 days in jail, he paid the fine. In December 1890 he was charged with Breach of the Peace, but on that occasion the verdict was 'Not Proven'. Sonny Grant was awarded his first-class caddie badge No.100 in February 1896 and at the age of 18 years he was granted a professional licensed on the West Links.

Sonny Grant entered the Open Championship for the first time in 1901 at Muirfield. The following year he was based at the Maloja G.C in Switzerland and in 1904 he spent several months at the Bad-Nauheim course in Germany. At the opening of that course he played an exhibition match with Henry Longhurst from Ascot. In 1906 he joined his brother Arthur Grant at Biarritz (1907-1908). Sonny Grant played in the Open Championship eight times, his last appearance was in 1912.

The PGA organised two national tournaments, the News Of The World tournament started in 1903 and the Sphere and Tatler foursomes, first played in 1911. The players qualified for those events at regional competitions. Success in the PGA tournaments ensured the top professionals were invited to play in exhibition matches which were a lucrative form of competition. Sonny Grant and his partner George Duncan qualified for the first Sphere and Tatler Cups and the following year Grant partnered Sandy Herd.

Sonny married Agnes Purves in 1911 and they lived at 68, High Street, North Berwick. During WW1, Sonny Grant and his family experienced hardship and he applied for an exemption from overseas service in 1916, but was turned down by Lothians and Peebles Conscription Appeal Board. Sonny served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, 34th Combined Field Ambulance and he died of pneumonia on 6th July 1919 in Marseilles while returning from WW1. He was buried in the Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles and his death was carried in the popular American Golfer magazine in September 1919.

Arthur Grant

Arthur, like his brothers was a caddie on the West Links before being granted a professional license on the West Links. Arthur entered the Open Championship for the first time in 1906 when he joined his brother David in the field at Muirfield.

Arthur was appointed pro at Biarritz in 1907 and in April that year he partnered Ben Sayers in a match against Arnaud Massy and Jean Gassiat. Played over 36 holes at Biarritz, the Frenchmen won by a single hole and within two months Massy was British Open Champion. Arthur played in the Open Championship in 1908,1909,1910 and 1914.

Arthur Grant entered the Open Championship in 1909 from Wilton Park Golf Club founded by Colonel William Du Pre who laid out the nine-hole course on his estate at Wilton Park east of the town of Beaconsfield. Arthur moved to Valescure GC (1909-1911) and then to Le Touquet GC situated 38 miles south of Calais. This became a very fashionable area where Noel Coward and others were entertained in the luxury hotels. P.G. Wodehouse was also a member of Le Touquet and lived next door to Arthur Grant and their families became very good friends. Following WW1, Arthur was attached to Monte Carlo G.C (1922-1927). Arthur and his wife Ruth are buried in North Berwick cemetery.

Norman Grant

It was inevitable that Norman Grant, born into this golfing dynasty would follow his father as a caddie then professional at North Berwick until the Great War disrupted his career. Three weeks after war was declared, Norman volunteered for the 11th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at a recruitment meeting in North Berwick on 2nd September 1914. He was transferred to the Royal Engineers, and rose to the rank of Lance Corporal in the Signal Corps. He was demobed on the 6th March 1919 and when his WW1 service medals were being distributed in 1922 they were sent to his new address, San Andres Golf Club, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Norman, 5'5 inches tall, and brown hair married Agnes Purves from Portobello and they had a son David born in 1913. Norman returned from South America and escorted his wife and son to Philadelphia where they joined his brother Robert Grant at Bala Golf Club for six months. Norman returned to work at North Berwick and in 1927 he was appointed to Cannes Country Club as private professional to the Aga Khan. Norman Francis Orr Grant died on 12th November 1955 at 3 Lorne Square, North Berwick.

Alexander Grant

Alexander and David 'Sonny' Grant Jnr. were killed in WW1 and their names are listed on the War Memorial in Quality Street. They are also listed among the former pupils on the War Memorial in the North Berwick Community Centre (original High School).

Robert Grant

Robert Finlay Grant, born 3rd April 1899, Crombie Place, North Berwick. At the time of Robert's birth his father was living in Newton House overlooking Nairn golf course where he was employed. Nairn Golf Club was founded by Robert Finlay, the local MP who may have inspired Davie to name his son after him. At this time Joseph Dalgleish was the greenkeeper at Nairn, he had moved from Archerfield in 1894 and since then Nairn has been listed among the world's top courses. Ben Sayers continued the North Berwick connection when he was invited to altered the tees and bunkers at Nairn in the 1920s.

The row of houses where Robert Grant was born in North Berwick were built by Dr. John Crombie in 1898 and known as Crombie Place. In 1901 the Town Council re-named the property Park Place after Open Golf Champion Willie Park Jnr. whose club and ball-making workshop was at 15, Beach Road. The row of houses was later known locally as the 'Numbers' and renamed Nos.17-25 Old Abbey Road.

Robert learned to play golf from his older brothers and he followed them in to the professional ranks. He worked in the London area before enlisting in WW1 when he was wounded at Mons in northern France. Robert emigrated to America in 1922 and assisted his cousin George Sayers at Merion Golf Club, PA. In 1924 he was appointed head pro on the nine-hole course at Bala Golf Club adjacent to Fairmount Park in Philadelphia.

In 1924, Bob Grant and his cousin George Sayers qualified in the regional section for the PGA Championship at Philmont Country Club, PA. Neither travelled west for the second qualifying on the Monday before the championship began at French Springs Resort in French Lick, Indiana. Fred McLeod and Jack Forrester qualified for the final 32 players but were defeated in the first round of the matchplay. Grant moved to New York in 1927 and was appointed pro at the Women's National Golf and Tennis Club at Glen Head on Long Island. During the winter he was employed at the Vander-Built-In golf course on 42nd Street, opposite Grand Central Station. This was the largest indoor golf school in the USA. It had 18 holes made of clay on a cement base, covered with sand which was kept moist and had the same resistance as turf. The layout included a water feature and sand bunkers and the facility was used by over 300 golfers each day.

On 18th March 1927, tragedy struck when Robert Grant fell to his death from his fifth floor room at 371 West, 56th Street in Manhattan. The report in the New York Times suggested there were no suspicious circumstances and the police believed Grant had an attack of vertigo. He was 28 years old and left a wife and two children.

Sandie Russell, the Starter at Gullane No.1 had the loudest voice in the county and the locals called him ' Whisper'. His son Bud Russell emigrated to Australia as a golf pro, arriving with 25 shillings in his pocket, he left a millionaire.

HENRY GULLANE (1874-1907)    St David's, Pennsylvania, USA

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Harry Gullane born 19th May 1874 at 4 Market Place, North Berwick, son of James Gullane, a fisherman, and his wife Janet Taylor. Harry and his brother Andrew Gullane were fisherman before being granted their professional license on the West Links in April 1893. Harry's pro badge on the West Links was No.54. He was the first professional to be appointed to Gullane Golf Club and in 1894 he represented the club in the professional tournament to celebrate the opening of Luffness New Club when he partnered Andrew Kirkaldy. Harry played in the Open Championship at Muirfield in 1896 and his brother Andrew Gullane was appointed pro at Glencruitten Golf Club in Oban, (1912-1938).

Harry Gullane emigrated to America, sailing from Liverpool on S.S. Rhynland he arrived in Philadelphia on 20th January 1897. Harry was appointed professional and greenkeeper at Philadelphia Country Club where he set a new course record 77 strokes. In January 1898, Gullane played in a pro tournament at Lakewood, New York which included seven former North Berwick pros.

In March 1898, Harry Gullane and William W. Campbell of Hoylake and the Philadelphia Country Club challenged Jack Harrison from Musselburgh and Jamie Campbell (listed above) of the Belmont Cricket Club. They played one round at Belmont and another at Philadelphia Country Club. Later Jack Harrison and W H 'Bert' Way from the Meadowbrook Club challenged Harry Gullane and Jamie Campbell to a match, two rounds at Meadowbrook and two at Philadelphia for $200. These challenge matches gave the players more exposure and generated huge interest among the rival club members.

Harry Gullane won the first professional golf tournament in the Philadelphia area, played in 1898 at the Huntingdon Valley Country Club. There were ten entries and the club provided a free lunch for the contestants. They played the nine-hole course four times each day to make it a 72-hole tournament. The newspaper report suggested the greens were lumpy and the club's steam roller failed to level the brick-like surface. Harry Gullane had the winning score of 319 while Willie Anderson finished twelve strokes back in second place and Jamie Campbell was third with Robert M Thomson completing the North Berwick quartet. The purse totalled $150 and the winner received $100.

In October 1898, Harry Gullane was among sixteen professionals playing in a tournament at Baltusrol Golf Club, Short Hills, New Jersey. The result was a tie between Harry Gullane and Willie Anderson the pro at Baltusrol. Despite playing in torrential rain they both equalled the course record of 81 strokes and deicided not to take part in a play-off but to divide the $130 prize money. Third was John Shippen a Shinnecock Indian and the first African American golf professional in the United States. The following day Harry Gullane returned home to North Berwick for the winter.

According to Peter C Trenham, historian at St David's Golf Club, Gullane returned to Philadelphia in late March 1899 with a collection of golf clubs from the Forgan Golf Club Works in St. Andrews. He formed an association with the Marshall E. Smith & Bro. sporting goods store at 1020 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia where he fitted people for clubs and gave golf lessons for 50c. A few weeks later Gullane was the first pro to be appointed to the nine-hole St David's Golf Club in Wayne, PA. The club had moved from Fenimore Lane and was in the process of completing its new golf course on Lancaster Pike. He supervised the extension of that course to 18 holes which was completed in April 1899. Also that year Gullane laid out a nine-hole course at West Chester Golf and Country Club, Pennsylvania which was opened in 1900. Gullane set a new course record at Cape May G.C. (NJ) in 1899 and at Catasauqua G.C (PA) in 1900.

Professionals at the New Luffness Competition, Oct.11, 1894
Back Row (Left to Right) Ben Campbell, Willie Auchterlonie, Andrew Kirkaldy, Davie Grant, George Sayers, Philip Wynne,
Harry Gullane, George Shepherd. Front: (Left Seated) Tom Morris, (Right Seated) Ben Sayers

His best finish in the US Open Championship was seventh equal at Baltimore Country Club in 1899 when he partnered Jack Park from Musselburgh, and they both received $50. The day before the championship they held a driving contest and Harry finished second with a drive of 264 yards 2 feet 9 inches. Willie Hoare had the winning drive which was 269 yards 7 feet 6 inches. Those were big drives as the gutta-percha ball was still in use at that time. In 1900 Harry Gullane was pro at the Philadelphia Cricket Club (Chestnut Hill, PA). In April that year he partnered Willie Thomson of the Huntingdon Valley Country Club in an exhibition match against Harry Vardon at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. It was reported in the New York Times that Gullane outdrove Vardon by 10 to 15 yards.

In October 1900, Harry Gullane boarded the Pennsylvania Railroad for the two-day trip to Chicago, Illinois where he played in the US Open at Wheaton. Harry was joined at the Chicago Golf Club by George Turpie, the former greenkeeper at St Andrews and his brother Henry Turpie who Harry had not seen for over four years at North Berwick. Willie Anderson and Val Fitzjohn were also in the field. Henry Turpie finished in 8th place while Harry Gullane was out of the money in 25th spot and Willie Anderson finished 11th equal. Harry Gullane entered the championship from Pittsburgh where he laid out the course for Pittsburgh Golf Club (PA).

In 1901, Gullane returned to North Berwick permanently and five years later he married a local girl and was back giving golf lessons on the West Links. In 1907 they lived in a row of cottages at 5, Law Road and following a domestic argument Gullane struck his wife to the floor. Thinking he had killed her, Harry climbed Berwick Law and in a state of remorse threw himself off the quarry, plunging 70 feet to his death. He was 32 years old and his wife Margaret Brown survived the tragedy. His suicide was reported in the New York Times and Harry Gullane is buried in the North Berwick Cemetery. Access images of Harry Gullane in Philadelphia

In 1908 'The American Golfer' magazine complied a composite golf course taken from the best 18 holes in the USA. Among them were the 7th and 16th holes at St David's, laid out by Harry Gullane and the only course to have two holes featured. In 1914, when Ben Sayers visited his son George at Merion Cricket Club, he played the neighbouring course at St. David's every day. Dorothy Campbell won several tournaments over the course designed by Harry Gullane at St David's. Including the Ladies Invitational Tournament in 1923 and 1924 playing off the men's tee. The nine hole course at West Chester Golf and Country Club, Pennsylvania also remains as a testimony to Harry Gullane's short life.

Harry Gullane is listed among the first forty golf professionals in the United States prior to 1898 and is recognised today as a true pioneer, and one of the earliest names of golf and club making in America.

JAMES GULLANE (1891-1986)    Colorado Springs, USA

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James 'Jimmy' Gullane nephew of Harry Gullane (above) was born 6th December 1891 at 22 Forth Street, North Berwick, son of James Gullane, a seaman and his wife Maggie Gullane. Jimmy served a five year apprenticeship as a club maker with Ben Sayers & Son before emigrating to America at the age of 23 years. He sailed from Glasgow with his friend Davie Ferguson (listed above) on the steamer S.S. California, and they arrived in New York on 18th May 1914.

Jimmy travelled to Philadelphia to take up the position of assistant pro to George Sayers (son of Ben Sayers) at Merion Golf and Cricket Club, PA. In 1916, Gullane finished eighth in the Philadelphia Open and the following year he was appointed golf instructor at Sunnybrook G.C, Flourtown, PA. In the final years of WW1 Jimmy served with the US Army and received his US citizenship. During this period he struck up a friendship with the PGA champion Jim Barnes and for several seasons from 1915 they wintered together at Palma Ceia C.C, Tampa in Florida. Gullane followed Jim Barnes to Colorado Springs and was appointed golf instructor at the nine-hole course at Broadmoor Hotel. Barnes was appointed playing professional and allowed to compete in tournaments while Jimmy Gullane looked after the members at Broadmoor. Gullane resided in the YMCA in Colorado Springs for the first two years and when Barnes left in 1919 Gullane was appointed head pro at Broadmoor Golf Club and assisted in extending the course to eighteen holes (East Course), which was completed in late 1919.

He finished seventh equal in the first Open Championship of Colorado in 1924. Jimmy Gullane was a big hitter and on several occasions at Broadmoor he drove the first green 362 yards and holed out with an eagle two. In 1925 on the seventeenth hole he drove 470 yards making an eagle three. At that time the American record was held by E.C. Bliss with 445 yards. Jimmy entered the 1926 US Open championship from Broadmoor and remained with the club until 1927. Jimmy Thomson, the son of Wilfred Thomson from North Berwick took over at Broadmoor Golf Club in 1930.

Jimmy Gullane was a friend of Wilfred Thomson from their days on the West Links at North Berwick. Wilfred was pro at the Country Club Of Virginia and Gullane played numerous matches with his son at Colorado Springs. In 1925, Jimmy Thomson was the youngest player to qualify for the US Open at 16 years of age. In 1930, Thomson broke the course record at Broadmoor when he shot 64 on the par 70 course. Gullane held the previous record for six years when in 1924 he scored 65. Thomson was a big hitter and drove the 18th green at Broadmoor on several occasions.

3,000 spectators swarmed over the West Links causing long delays when US Open Champion Walter Hagen and Denny Shute played an exhibition match against Bob Denholm and W. B. Torrance. New York Times - August 1933.

In 1920, Jimmy Gullane married Hilda Cooze in Colorado Springs. Hilda was born in Barnsley, England and they had a son James Gullane Jnr. Jimmy played in the 1926 US Open at Scioto Country Club, Columbus, Ohio when Bobby Jones won the title. In 1927, Gullane was persuaded to move to Hillcest Country Club by Frank Phillips, founder of Phillips Petroleum in Oklahoma, to serve as first professional at the new course in Bartlesville. Gullane played in the qualifying rounds of the 1933 US PGA Championship at Blue Mound Country Club, Milwaukee, Wisconsin but failed to be among the 32 qualifiers. Jimmy remained at Hillcrest until 1954 and then managed the driving range at Sunset Country Club for several years. He was golf professional at the nine-hole Pawhuska Country Club until he retired in 1973. James Gullane died in July 1986 at the age of 93 years and is buried in White Rose Cemetery, Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

The Gullane family were one of the oldest families in North Berwick and could trace their ancestors in the town back to the seventeenth century. James's father was known as Pilot Gullane, as he was qualified to assist ships to navigate the Firth of Forth. He also was a member of the crew on the lifeboat Fergus Ferguson (1887-1902). James's sisters Maggie and Jessie converted the ground floor of the family home at 22, Forth Street into their legendary fish and chip shop.

HUGH HAMILTON     Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews

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Hugh Hamilton, born 1870 in Norton Caves, Staffordshire, son of Hugh Hamilton, an Estate Gardener and his wife Margaret Horsburgh. Hugh's parents were born in North Berwick and they lived in the Well Tower off Kirk Ports. In 1880, the family moved to the High Street, Great Bookham and then to Towers Horsley Park in Surrey. Hugh Hamilton returned to North Berwick and was working under Tom Anderson as a greenkeeper on the West Links while living at 12, Forth Street, North Berwick.

Hamilton was appointed head gardener at Skibo Castle in Dornoch (1898-1899) where he laid out a nine-hole course for Andrew Carnegie the industrialist and philanthropist. The course was opened in September 1898 by Andrew Carnegie's one year old daughter. The procession led by the Castle piper crossed a new timber foot bridge over the River Evelix to the first tee followed by the workmen and estate servants. Bizarrlie a golf club was placed in the infants hands and with some assistance the first ball was struck.

John Sutherland, the Club secretary at Dornoch collaborated with Hugh Hamilton on the agronomic development of the course at Dornoch. In 1900, Hamilton returned to North Berwick working under his former apprentice Bob Dickson who was by then head greenkeeper. Hamilton had worked with Dickson for the previous six years. When Dickson left in June 1902 Hamilton was appointed head greenkeeper. In April 1903 Hamilton moved to Portmarnock Golf Club, Dublin, Ireland. In October that year Hamilton was appointed custodian of the links at St Andrews. He took over from David Honeyman and Old Tom Morris in 1904, with a wage of £3 per week, on the condition that he did not keep a shop, carry on the business of clubmaking or undertake work on other courses. It was Hamilton who created many of the bunkers at St Andrews and lengthened the course in reaction to the Haskell ball, he also extended the Jubilee course to 18 holes in 1905.

Hamilton was described as 'Greenkeeper to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club' since he was paid by the Club under the historic agreement that they maintained the town's municipal links. At Old Tom Morris's funeral, Hamilton as Links Superintendent led the procession carrying the Royal and Ancient Golf Club silver club and balls draped in black crepe.

It was during this period that he devoted so much study to the invention of his special mixtures of artificial manures for putting greens, which were initially a great success. Regular top dressing, worm removal and extra seeding when required. Hamilton continued to top dress the greens with Tom Morris's mixture of sand but he also used a compost of black earth and nitrogenous and phosphate manure. Hamilton wrote a chapter in the book 'Golf Greens and Green Keeping' entitled 'Treatment and Upkeep of Seaside Links'. The book edited by Horace G. Hutchinson in 1906 included a series of articles written by among others James Braid and Harold Hilton. The book continues to be used by golf course superintendents and has become a collectors item selling for over $15000 a copy. Hamilton parted company with the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in September 1911, after being warned by the committee about his excessive drinking.

The discussion on the merits of Hamilton's treatment of the greens will continue but there can be no denying his contribution to green keeping was immense. His continual search for improvements and his thought provoking articles. Never again would the club professional be in charge of the golf course maintenance.

TOM HARLEY (1855- 1943)     First Canadian Amateur Champion

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One of the most outstanding members of the old Luffness Golf Club was Tom Harley who emigrated to Canada and won the first Canadian Amateur Championship in 1895. Thomas Harley was born at Limekilns, Fife in 1855, son of George Harley, Master Mariner and his wife Margaret Dewar. Tom moved with his parents to Aberlady, where he served an apprenticeship as a joiner and worked with Peter Brown, who was a founder member and captain of Luffness Golf Club.

Tom Harley won the Hope Challenge Medal in 1875, 1877, 1879, 1880. This was the only stroke play competition open to all golfers in East Lothian, and Harley remains the only player to have won the Medal four times. In 1880, Tom Harley moved to Edinburgh before emigrating to Canada to follow his trade and in 1895 entered the Canadian Amateur Championship from Kingston Golf Club, Ontario. Which curiously was founded in 1891 by a gentleman who when a boy attended the public school at Dirleton, seven miles from Aberlady. Harley defeated Alex Simpson (Royal Ottawa Golf Club) in the final to become the first Amateur Champion of Canada and he received the Gold Medal and Silver Cup donated by Lord Aberdeen to the Canadian Golf Association formed the previous year.

Tom Harley went on to represent his club in a number of interprovincial matches between Quebec and Ontario. Kingston Golf Club situated in the city of Kingston 200 km. east of Toronto on Lake Ontario, went out of existence around the time of WW2.

In 1898, Tom Harley was persuade by Henry J Hewat to move to America and become the first golf pro at North Jersey Golf Club. Hewat, originally from Dumfries in Scotland was captain of the club and Harley resided at 192 Market Street, Paterson City in New Jersey. Harley played in a pro tournament at Ocean County Hunt and Country Club, Lakewood, NY on New Years Day 1898. According to the New York Times the field also included North Berwick pros, Harry Gullane, Robert Thomson, Willie Anderson, James Campbell and Harry Reddie. The Fitzjohn brothers originally from Musselburgh but also pros at North Berwick played-off for the first prize. By 1909 Tom Harley was working as a carpenter in Paterson and returned home permanently in the 1920s.

Following Harley's departure to Canada, a group of Luffness members broke away from the original club where Harley was a member and formed Luffness New Golf Club in 1894. The original members moved west and leased land from Lord Wemyss where they laid out a course at Craigielaw, and called their new club Kilspindie. Harley became a member of this club and during a vacation to Scotland in 1911, he won the Edward S. Hope Challenge Cup. The trophy was presented to him by the club captain Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, former British Prime Minister (1902-05).

When Harley returned to Aberlady permanently he worked with John Cuthbert who had a carpenter and undertaker's business in Back Lane, Aberlady. Harley was proffered Honorary Life Member of Kilspindie Golf Club in 1928. He resided with John Cuthbert at 'Maryville' in the High Street (now Rushmoon House) where he died in 1943, aged 88 years. His achievements are recognized in the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in Oakville, Ontario.

ALEX HAY (1933- 2011)     Woburn Golf Club, Milton Keynes, UK

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Alexander Galloway Hay, born 10 May 1933, Ramsay Place, Portobello son of William Hay, Commercial Traveler and his wife Margaret Galloway. Alex was educated at Musselburgh Grammar School and as a member of Royal Musselburgh Golf Club he won the Musselburgh Boys Championship at the age of 17 years. Alex began his working life at the Stock Exchange before joining Ben Sayers & Son as an apprentice clubmaker in their factory in Forth Street, North Berwick. He trained under clubmaker Charlie Thomson and on completion of his National Service in the RAF, Alex become an assistant professional. His first job was with Bill Shankland, at Potters Bar Golf Club in Hertfordshire after Ben Sayers Jnr. intervened personally on Hay's behalf.

Alex qualified as a PGA professional in 1952 and worked at East Hertfordshire, Dunham Forest and Ashridge Golf Clubs. His long spell at the later club, some 13 years in which his reputation as a coach flourished. He moved to Woburn in 1977 where he not only designed the Marquess course but became the managing director in 1986 and played an influential role in the development of the golfing complex at Woburn.

Alex's grandfather was part of the fishing community in Musselburgh living at 29, Beach Lane. His mother came from Portobello and his parents lived at 96 Campie Road, Musselburgh.

Alex was originally introduced to the BBC by the legendary sports commentator David Coleman and from 1978 Alex co-presented all the major golf tournaments with Peter Alliss and their voices became synonymous with the BBC coverage of golf for over three decades. Alex also worked for ABC and NBC in the United States. He was a PGA professional until 1994, a Ryder Cup referee, a talented artist and illustrator, contributing many drawings to Golf Illustrated, and author of seven books. He stopped broadcasting for the BBC in 2004 and died 11 July, 2011, aged 78 years.

PETER HENDRIE    Ulen Country Club, Indiana, USA

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Peter Hendrie born 20th November 1872 in a cottage situated beside Whitekirk Bridge, son of Peter Hendrie, agricultural labourer and his wife Elizabeth. Peter caddied for some of the great players at North Berwick as a boy. In 1891 Peter was working as a grocer and lodging with the Montgomery family at 18 Westgate (now 97 opposite the Abbey Church). In 1897, he was appointed pro at York Golf Club before returning to North Berwick in 1900 when he was granted a professional license on the West Links. He married Mary Montgomery in 1898 when he listed his occupation as a club-maker and they lived at 6 Market Place, North Berwick.

In 1902 they emigrated to Canada sailing from Glasgow to Montreal, where Pete was appointed to Victoria Golf Club, Saint-Lambert, Quebec. In 1904 he finished fourth in a National Tournament for Professionals held as a side event after the more important Canadian Amateur Championship was complete. In 1906, Pete moved to Westmount Golf Club in Montreal (now the site of Surrey Gardens) and that year he finished ninth in the Canadian Open.

In 1911, they travelled to America where Pete was appointed to the nine-hole course at Fort Mitchell Country Club, Covington, Kentucky. The following year he entered the US Open Championship at the Country Club of Buffalo in New York State. In 1914 they moved to Rock Island Arsenal G.C, Illinois and remained there for six years. In 1921 they moved to Indianapolis where the city council appointed him pro at the municipal Riverside golf course. The green fee at Riverside was 10 dollars, plus 5 dollars for a locker and the daily fee was 50 cents. The majority of golfers in Indiana played on municipal courses and the pro's earnings from teaching and selling equipment was quite considerable. This was causing the City Council to consider offering the concession to the highest bidder.

In 1924, Pete was the first pro to be appointed to the nine-hole course at Ulen Country Club, Lebanon, Indiana where he retired after 22 years. He lived with his wife Mary in the Boone Township, Lebanon County, Indiana.

Maintenance work being carried out to a traditional revetted bunker face,
at the 176 yard, par 3, 10th hole on the West Links, North Berwick.

JACK HOBENS Factfile

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If you can add to the details above or have information on other North Berwick golfers
please let me know.seaton@northberwick.org.uk