In November 1914, Jimmy Lindsay's contract with the Oneonta Country Club was renewed for the following season and he was able to return to Scotland for the winter months to visit his parents living at The Cairn, Aberlady, East Lothian. The following year they moved to Broxmouth Estate, West Barns, Dunbar. In February 1915 he returned from Glasgow, sailing on the S.S.Cameronia he arrived in New York on 2nd March. According to the ship's manifest, his contact in America was Thomas Lyons, Tuxedo Park Golf Club. Lindsay was accompanied on the voyage by Adam Gullen a clubmaker from Dunbar in Scotland.

Jimmy was appointed pro at Keokuk Country Club, Iowa and in 1914 he moved to Audubon Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky. He returned to Scotland during the winter of 1914 and sailed back to America arriving in March 1915 on the ill-fated RMS Lusitania which was torpedoed by a German U-boat and sunk off Ireland on 7th May 1915. As a teenager Jimmy was a member of the 7th Royal Scots Volunteer Corps the local regiment in East Lothian. During World War One he continued to resided at the Jamaica Country Club and was described as a Mason & Woodworker. Jimmy enlisted in the Royal Engineers on 12th November 1917 in Westchester, New York.

He joined his regiment in France on 28th September 1918 and was demobbed at Putzchen, Germany on 12 May 1919. His British War Medal and Victory Medal (inscribed '342108 SPR J. LINDSAY R.E.') were later sent to his address at the time, 222 Pleasant Street, Oak Park, Illinois. Following the Great War Jimmy returned to Scotland in 1920 and sailed back to New York on the S.S.Aqitania arriving in February 1921. He shared the journey to New York with fellow professionals Willie Park and Willie Kidd.

Jimmy returned to his post as pro at the Jamaica Country Club on Long Island. In March 1920, Lindsay moved with his wife Jean Lorimmer and son Joseph to Illinois where he was appointed golf instructor at Oak Park Country Club of Addison. Jean Lorimer's father was George Lorimer, a relatively well known club maker in St Andrews who worked for Tom Morris, Auchterlonies and on his own. In 1921, he carried out several alterations to the Oak Park course, including the laying out of a new seventh green and raising the back of the twelfth green which became one of the featured holes on the course. Lindsay also constructed a new putting green. In 1921 he was joined by Tom Dickson from North Berwick as his assistant and the following year Tom's brother Alex Dickson joined them. In 1923 Dave Cairns arrived from Dunbar and was later appointed head pro at the neighbouring Brookwood Golf Club in Oak Park in the western suburbs of Chicago. Lindsay remained at Oak Park Country Club until 1928 and returned to Scotland permanently in July 1931. He was a licensed professional at St Andrews and resided with his family at 108 North Street. Jimmy Lindsay died 20th February 1950 aged 64 years.

ADAM GULLEN

Jack and his brothers Charlie and Alex were members of Dirleton Castle Golf Club and Jack and Charlie represented the club in the four-man Wemyss County Cup team in 1894. Alex Litster was the beaten finalist in the first two Haldane Cup competitions and was appointed head greenkeeper at Gullane in 1896.

James Litster was the first Scotsman to introduce golf to Atlanta, Georgia. He laid out a seven-hole course as part of the "Cotton States International Exposition of 1896" which would become the world's fair of its day.The grounds later purchased by the City of Atlanta were converted into the present Piedmont Park. The following year he was appointed head greenkeeper at Philadelphia Cricket Club (1896-1899) In 1899 Jack was invited to return to Atlanta to be greenkeeper at the newly established Piedmont Golf Club. The seven-hole course laid out by James Litster on land owned by Piedmont Driving Club opened in October 1899.

Jack was listed in the 1900 US census as living with his Irish wife Mary in house No. 51 on the land of the Piedmont Driving Club. In 1901 Jack was offered a position as head greenkeeper at Overbrook Golf Club at Wynnewood PA (1901-04). He then moved to La Crosse Golf Club, WW1 and resided at 917, Tyler Street for the next thirty years. During the years 1909-1910 the Exposition grounds were purchased by the City of Atlanta and converted into the present Piedmont Park.

In December 1897, within months of his arrival in America, Jack Litster joined the largest gathering of North Berwick former caddies in a tournament at Lakewood's nine-hole Ocean Country Club, NJ. recognised today as the first PGA Tour event. Seventeen professionals took part including twelve from North Berwick making it the largest gathering of North Berwick golfers outside Scotland. The pioneers included Jimmy Campbell (Torresdale, PA); Tom Harley (North Jersey C.C); Robert M. Thomson (Merion Cricket Club); Harry Gullane (Philadelphia C.C) Harry Reddie (Saint Andrews G.C. NY); James Litster (La Cosse); Willie Collins, John Forman (Dutchess C.C), Willie Anderson (Watch Hill, RI). three Fitzjohn brothers (Otsego G.C.) Tom Gourlay, Willie Norton, Charles Thomson, and the local pros Horace and Harry Rawlins.

The tournament also included John Shippen (Shinnecock) the first black African American golfer. Val Fitzjohn won the professional tournament after a play-off with his brother Ed, while Jack Litster finished fourth equal and shared the $150 prize money. The Hogmanay party at the Lakewood Hotel in 1897 would have been a very Scottish affair.

When Jack was at Philadelphia Cricket Club he regularly played Bernard Nicholls, pro at Philadelphia Country Club in a home and home exhibition match. In 1901, Litster played in the Hollywood Open Tournament in New Jersey and partnered Jamie Campbell from North Berwick in the fourball competition. During the last nine-holes of the round they equaled the course record 38 strokes and shared the $50 third prize money. Jack qualified for the final round of the main event which was won by Willie Smith. Also playing from North Berwick were George Thomson, Jack Hobens and Willie Dunn. Litster laid out the course at Ridley Park Golf Club in Philadelphia.

In 1909, Litster travelled north to play in the Western Open at Skokie Golf Club, Illinois. The day before the tournament started a team led by Willie Anderson defeated Fred McLeod's team for prize money put up by the host club. Willie Anderson won the Western Open title that year for the fourth time. In 1910, Jack Litster was appointed head pro at La Crosse Country Club, Wisconsin and at the age of 65 years Litster was still teaching golf at La Crosse, and living in Tyler Street with his wife Mary Dunn.

PEACHTREE GOLF CLUB

James Litster built the first golf course in Atlanta, Georgia on the grounds of Piedmont Park. He laid out a seven-hole course as part of the "Cotton States International Exposition of 1895" which would become the World's Fair of its day. In 1907 Stewart Maiden sailed to America on the S.S. Columbia and arrived in New York on 10th February 1908. He joined his sister at Glencove on Long Island, New York and later that year he followed his brother James as head professional to the Atlantic Athletic Club at East Lake where he gave golf lessons to six year old Bobby Jones.

Stewart Maiden offered the position of his assistant at East Lake to Willie Mann whose parents resided in Lochend Road, Carnoustie close to the Maiden family at 2 Taymouth Street. Willie Mann arrived on the S.S.Columbia on 27th March 1910 and joined Stewart Maiden in Atlanta. In 1917 Willie was appointed professional at Druid Hills Golf Club before moving to Phoenix, Arizona.

George Livingstone played in the Amateur Championship at Muirfield in 1909 and surprised the gallery by defeating the well known amateur Guy Campbell. Livingstone was out in 40 strokes including a three at the second hole. Robert Maxwell representing Tantallon Golf Club at North Berwick won the title for the second time.

George emigrated to America to follow his trade as a joiner. He sailed from Glasgow to New York on 9th March 1912, and stayed with his brother-in-law Andrew Clarkson at Driftwood Drive, Mamaroneck, New York State. Livingstone moved to Englewood Golf Club where Jack Hobens from North Berwick was the pro. Hobens was in the same class as Livingstone at North Berwick Public School and in 1912 they had not met for over thirteen years. In those days all the golf professionals in the New York area went to the city each Monday to buy their week's supplies. According to Livingstone, every Monday he went into the city with Jack Hobens and they often gathered at Spalding's golf equipment store in the morning, and then socialised and shot pool in the afternoon.

On Monday 6th May while Livingstone was at Spalding's, the store manager Matt Kiern, received a telegram from their salesman in the South saying that the professional at Nashville Golf and Country Club, Sam Aiken had died suddenly and the club was looking for a new pro. Kiern immediately wired Nashville, recommending Livingstone for the job.

Bradley Walker the secretary at Nashville Golf and Country Club contacted his friend Grantland Rice, a young sports writer on the New York Evening Mail to ask if he would check out George Livingstone at Englewood Golf Club and report back. Subsequently, Bradley Walker recommended to the members that they should hire the young Scot and Livingstone was offered the job on 25th May. George arrived at Nashville Golf and Country Club three days later and devoted the next thirty-five years to the club.

In 1914, Livingstone, returned to North Berwick to escort his wife and three daughters to their new home on Highland Avenue, Nashville where their son James Taylor Livingstone was born in 1916. Due to the uncertainty and hardship of WW1 most families in Scotland were struggling to make ends meet and in January 1915 George's father James Livingstone wrote to the North Berwick Town Council to appeal against his Assessment (tax) on the grounds of poverty. It was reduced to 16/3d and with George Livingstone now in employment in America he was able to send home money to his family.

Left: George Livingstone © Golfdom 1936

In 1915, Nashville Country Club acquired new ground on the Belle Meade Stud Farm and Livingstone supervised the construction of the course. The club was renamed Belle Meade Country Club and the following year Livingstone and his amateur partner Chick Evans beat Bobby Jones and Perry Adair in a benefit match for the Red Cross, played over the Belle Meade course. In 1920, Livingstone defeated Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an exhibition match at Belle Meade. Vardon and Ray said they both liked the Belle Meade course at Nashville. " I don't like the Bermuda greens," said Ray, " but this course was very good and I will say it had the best Bermuda greens we saw."

In September 1922, George Livingstone invited his former North Berwick school friend, George Thomson pro at Mont Vernon (NY) to play in the Nashville Amateur and Professional tournament at Belle Meade Country Club. George Thomson and his amateur partner Horace Horner of Nashville lifted the first prize of $125. Also in the field was George Duncan the professional at Wentworth who was touring America. Duncan won the professional tournament at the opening of the North Berwick Burgh course in 1909.

Henry Livingstone (1889-1978)

George Livingstone was a respected figure in Nashville and laid out a number of courses including Shelby (1924), Old Hickory (1926) and Warner Park (1937). In 1920, he was joined by his younger brother Henry Livingstone who was born 11th October 1889, 15, Forth Street, North Berwick. Many families including the Livingstone's, lived in the tenement at 15 -17 Forth Street named the 'Gunboat' which was also known as the 'Caddie's Castle'. The accommodation was basic with no gas or electricity but the rent was affordable. The property on three decks had square windows and two outside staircases which resembled an ancient galleon. Rows of hand made golf balls hardening on the window sills was a regular sight on the 'Caddie's Castle'. On leaving the Public School Henry apprenticed as a joiner and cabinetmaker. In 1918 Henry married Flora Ramsey from Newhaven, Edinburgh.

Following the end of the First World War, Henry's brother George Livingstone returned to Scotland with his wife and children. They were joined on the return journey to Nashville by Henry and Flora on the S.S.Baltic which sailed from Liverpool on 23rd February and arrived in New York on 7th March 1920. Henry originally worked at his trade as a joiner before being appointed golf pro at Inglewood G.C. Nashville (1924-28) and then head pro at Clarksville County Club, Tennessee. Clarksville Country Club was associated with the dark-fired tobacco and American Snuff Company and was used to entertain tobacco buyers from the north. The original 9-hole course was built on Golf Club Lane in Clarksville. Henry and his wife resided at 102 Patrick Street, Clarksville. In November 1940, Henry petitioned for US citizenship and he retired in 1950. Henry died in July 1978 and was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Clarksville.

In September 1922 George Livingstone entered the Southern Open Championship played at Belle Meade was joined in the tournament by four North Berwick former caddies, Bob MacDonald (Chicago), Jimmy Gullane (Colorado) George Thomson (Philadelphia) and Dan Kenny (Buffalo). In 1926, George entered the Southeastern Professional Championship played over Belle Meade and according to Golf Illustrated, George caused a great furore when he smashed Bobby Jones's world record of 134 for thirty-six holes, in the first round of the championship. He had two rounds of 67 and 66, which established a new competitive course record. Bobby Jones's record of 134 was made in the Open at Sunningdale. Harry Hampton, the Memphis pro played steadier over the 72 holes and won the event.

Like many soldiers who fought in the First World War, Bob Millar suffered from nightmares as a result of his experiences in the trenches of northern France. Millar turned to alcohol to ease the pain and was saved by the Roman Catholic Church. In 1922 he was appointed professional at Westward Ho Golf Club, Oak Park, Chicago. In 1924 he was appointed golf instructor at the newly opened nine-hole Gateway Municipal course in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The following year he became the first pro and greenkeeper at Milham Park Municipal Golf Course in Kalamazoo. Bob Millar extended the course to 18 holes in 1936.

Frank Rosie, a painter and handyman resided with his family at Burton Avenue, Highland Park, Lake Michigan, Illinois. His son George Millar Rosie born in 1923 was a talented golfer and amateur softball player in the North Shore area of Chicago. George came to Kalamazoo in 1945 to be assistant pro to his cousin Bob Millar at Milham Park Golf Club. George later operated the Red Arrow golf course until about 1952. George eventually gave up his professional status to play in local tournaments and was employment as a supervisor at the Kalamazoo Vegitable Parchment Paper Co.

In the days of racial segregation the Milham Park course was for 'White's Only' but Bob Millar was 'colour-blind' and allowed Jesse Owens the famous black Olympic athlete to play the course. Owens speed gained him a place at Ohio University, but there was no scholarship for black students, no matter how fast they were. Owens was made captain of the track and field team but had to live off campus, shower separately and eat away form his white team-mates. But in 1935 the world took notice at the 'Big Ten Championship' at the University of Michigan he set three world records and equaled a fourth, all in the space of forty-five minutes.

That summer he represented his country at the Olympic Games in Berlin when Owens won the 100 meters, set a new world record for the long jump, won the 200 meters and 400 meters reply. He returned to the States to a ticker-tape parade through the streets of New York city and a reception at the Waldorf Astoria in his honour but when Jessie and his wife entered the hotel they were told not to use the front door because of the colour of their skin. Four times Olympic gold medalist.

Following an exhibition match at Milham Park between Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, the four-times US Open Champion wrote to Millar congratulating him on the condition of the course which he compared favourably with many of the top private courses in America.

Robert Millar married Christina Aikman from North Berwick and in February 1951 after they returned from spending the winter at their home in Florida, the club presented Robert with a suitably inscribed watch to celebrate 25 years as professional and manager at Milham Park. The club also give him a two year extension to his contract. Robert Millar died January 1968 in Kalamazoo, and the members continue to play for the Bob Millar Trophy now in its 34th year.

Robert's uncle was a golf pro at North Berwick and his grandfather also called Robert, was one of the first to be employed as a caddie on the West Links in the days of the gutta-percha ball. Robert Snr. was originally a fisherman and witnessed the dramatic increase in the popularity of golf as a holiday sport at North Berwick and the opportunity it presented to incease his earnings from caddying. In 1893 he was granted a license as a golf professional at North Berwick and Rev. John Kerr wrote about Millar in his Golf Book of East Lothian ' Were his wonderous scores authenticated, he might be set down as the record holder of the green. Bob Millar taught Robert Maxwell's sisters Annie and Isabel Maxwell to play golf.' Millar was a popular character on the West Links and a good story teller! The Millar famliy lived at 53 Lochbridge Road, North Berwick. He often attended the Ratepayers Meeting held in the Oddfellows Hall in Forth Street. In October 1904 he suggested an alternative scheme to the Town Council's proposals for the Glen Golf Club, which was greeted with much laughter and applause.

JAMES A. MILLIGAN (1882-1917)    Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, USA

James Milligan's three brothers killed in the First World War were Lawrence Milligan Jnr. (b.1878, 2nd Dragoons Royal Scots Greys), Alexander Milligan (b.1881, 2nd Bn Black Watch), and his younger brother John Milligan (b.1893). James Milligan was killed on 11th April 1917, at Arras, Pas de Calais, France. His name is engraved on the Gullane War Memorial.

FRED MCLEOD Factfile

DONALD MACDONALD    Avondale Golf Club, Sydney, NSW,

MacDonald emigrated to Australia in November 1926 and was appointed professional at Avondale Golf Club situated on Sydney's north shore. In 1933 he returned from a six month trip to England and Scotland and brought back to Avondale the latest method of bunkering especially near the green used on inland courses. In 1942 Don MacDonald retired from Avondale and opened his own golf equipment business in the Bexley North District of Sydney. In 1947, Macdonald joined Asquith Golf Club, Mount Colah near Sydney before he retired.

ROBERT G. MACDONALD    Evanston Country Club, Illinois, USA

Bill MacDonald joined his brother-in-law Dan Mackay at Springfield Country Club OH before moving to Illini Country Club, Illinois. Their other brother James MacDonald remained in Scotland and was clubmaster at Royal Dornoch Golf Club for 20 years. Bob MacDonald coached Horton Smith, Babe Zaharias, Gene Sarazen, and wrote an instruction book called 'Golf' in 1927 and the french version continues to be highly collectable. He was married three times, had two sons and died 29th March 1960 in Miramar, Florida.

DONALD MACKAY    Springfield Country Club, Ohio, USA

Dan MacKay was employed as a club maker in Dornoch by Tommy Currie from Kilconquhar in Fife who was previously at Dunbar Golf Club before taking over from Donald Ross at Dornoch in 1900. Tommy also employed his brother George Currie and Bob MacDonald as club makers and his clubs stamped 'T D Currie, Maker, Dornoch' are very rare.

(Left) D.Mackay driver, circa 1900

Tommy lived with his wife Wilhelmina in Links Cottage situated 200 yards from the Clubhouse. In November 1921 they emigrated to America and the following year he was appointed professional at the Donald Ross designed course at Inverness Country Club, Toledo, Ohio. That year he played J.H. Taylor in an exhibition match at Inverness. In 1931 Currie was appointed to Knollwood Golf Club, Lake Forest, Illinois.

In July 1904, Dan MacKay moved with Jessie and their one year old son Robert to North Berwick and started a club making business at 1 Station Hill. In August 1904, they were joined by Dan's brother-in-law from Dornoch, Robert G. MacDonald who would later emigrate to America and have an outstanding golfing career. James Watt joined Dan Mackay in the club making business at 1 Station Hill, Watt apprenticed with Willie Park & Son at 15 Beach Road, North Berwick.

Dan Mackay and Bob MacDonald applied to the West Links Green Committee for a professional license but withdrew their application. Dan Mackay playing off scratch, joined the Rhodes Golf Club in North Berwick. On 12th November 1908 Jessie Mackay had a stillborn child who was buried in the North Berwick cemetery. The family emigrated to America, sailing from Glasgow on the S.S. Furnessia they arrived in New York on 25 September 1909. Their contact in America was Arthur Kendall from North Berwick, pro at Fort Smith Country Club, Arkansas. Within a few months Dan MacKay was appointed golf professional and clubmaker at Tulsa Country Club in the neighbouring state of Oklahoma. Mackay prepared the course at Tulsa for the first Oklahoma State Championship in 1909.

They lived in the Black Dog Township where their son Donald was born in 1910. Mackay was joined at Tulsa by Arthur Jackson a club maker from North Berwick who laid out a number of public courses in Oklahoma City. The Tulsa course was situated close to the Indian Reservation and according to the club history the adjacent landlord was Clarissa Bell, an Indian woman who shooed golfers retrieving errant shots from her back yard with a Winchester rifle.

While visiting his brother-in-law Bob MacDonald, the pro at Indian Hill in Chicago, Dan met H.V. Bretney the owner of a tannery in Springfield who persuaded him to move to Ohio. In 1916 Dan and his family arrived at Springfield Country Club and resided at S. Limestone Street before moving to 509, Laura Avenue Dayton. During the winter Dan was the resident pro at Hotel Shawnee, Springfield and in 1922 he was reunited with Donald Ross from Dornoch who was hired to design a new 18-hole course at Springfield. Donald Ross was greenkeeper and pro at Dornoch from 1893-1899 when Mackay was in the club makers workshop. Dan's wife Jessie assisted with organising the caddies at Springfield and was joined by her brother William MacDonald. He was a fine golfer and played in several exhibition matches while acting as Caddie Master for Dan Mackay from 1920 to 1923. In 1922, Bob Macdonald was the first winner of the Texas Open played in the public park at Brackenridge, San Antonio. In 1923, Bill MacDonald and Steve Zappe played in the Ohio Open, which Zappe won. In 1924, Dan Mackay moved to the golf range at Dayton Community (Municipal) Golf Club and that year he hosted the US Amateur Public Links Championship. In 1935 Dan was self employed working from a premises at 4646 N.Main Street, Dayton while residing on Knecht Drive. His son Robert MacKay (1905-1989) was also a golf professional at Hazard Country Club, Kentucky. Robert's brother Donald was employed at the WGC Golf Course (Xenia), Ohio.

PHILIP MACKENZIE ROSS (1890-1974)    Golf Course Architect

Alex Mackenzie Ross was a prisoner of war for 20 months at Karlsruhe and Bad Colberg camps. In order to pass the time and there being a good number of golfers among the number imprisoned there, they instituted a clock golf course of 18 holes, the shortest hole being 8ft. The putting got to be remarkably accurate with ceaseless practice month after month so that a putt of anything up to the 8ft. was considered to be a bad one unless it were holed out. The green was sand well watered and rolled. Among the golfers the best by a long way was Mackenzie-Ross playing off scratch. He used to open the window and tee up a ball or failing that, a cork on the bristles of his hairbrush and play them through the opening. He got so accurate and would always lay even money that he did not break the window. In exuberant mood, he would make the aperture less wide, when his best was often lost. It all depended upon the size of the opening. There were 250 prisoners in the camp.

JAMES MACKIE (1899-1977)    (Catherine Thomson)

Jim Mackie married Nancy Peterson and was joined in Cleveland by Alex's sisters Margaret and Janet. In 1929 Jim Mackie and the other family members were all employed as machinists in the Awning Works in Cleveland. Catherine Mackie died in North Berwick in 1951 aged 80 years. Jim became an American citizen in 1967 while residing at 6918, Lorain Road, Cleveland. Mackie died in the Lutheran Medical Centre on 23 April 1977 and is buried in Brooklyn Heights Cemetery, Cuyahoga, Ohio.

ALEXANDER M. McLAREN (1882-1955)    Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Victoria, AUS.

Alex McLaren was a founder member of the PGA and in 1901 he was appointed pro at the nine-hole course at Hampstead Golf Club. He was was followed as professional by Alexander 'Sandy' Thomson from North Berwick (1901-1905). In June 1903, Alex played in the Open Championship at Prestwick and later that year he emigrated to Australia. On his arrival in Melbourne, McLaren began playing at Sandringham and the captain of Royal Melbourne Golf Club, W.J.Carre Riddel gave McLaren a three weeks teaching engagement at the end of which time he was to come to Sydney but he remained in Melbourne. He was appointed professional with Royal Melbourne Golf Club on 28th November 1903.

Jim Hutchison and Alex McLaren trained together in James Hutchison's club-makers workshop at North Berwick and are recognised today as pioneers of golf in Australia.

During this period the Howden brothers, originally from North Berwick were members of Royal Melbourne and were both Australian Amateur Champions. In September 1904, Alex McLaren played in the first Australian Open Championship at the Australian Golf Club in Sydney. The winner was Michael Scott (Amateur), Jim Hutchison (above) from North Berwick finished fourth equal. The following day the Amateur Championship was played when Jim Howden defeated Michael Scott in the final. The eight best professionals played in the first Australian Professional Championship on Botany Links for money prizes and Alex McLaren was defeated in the final by Carnegie Clark from Carnoustie, pro at the Royal Sydney Club.

In December 1904 the New Plymouth (NZ) Exhibition Company arranged through Mr. Ward, Hon. Secretary of the local golf club for the visit of a party of professionals. Hutchison, McLaren (RMGC) and Martin (Australian G.C) were joined in Auckland by Fred Hood (Musselburgh and Auckland GC). They played over the Auckland course and then moved to New Plymouth where a substantial purse had been subscribed for the matches over three days. On 31st December the results were - McLaren 75, Martin 81, Hood 83, Hutchison 84. The previous record for 18 holes had been 84 and for nine holes 38. McLaren broke both, his best nine being 37. On 2nd January they played an exhibition fourball match in which Martin and McLaren were pitted against Hutchison and Hood whom they beat 1 up on the 38th hole.

Access an image of a McLaren stamped clubhead and business advert from April 1905.

In 1905 Alex assisted in the extension of the original Sandringham course at Royal Melbourne into the rugged heathland, opening up the sand belt for the first time. That year Alex caddied for Miss M. Backhouse when she won the Ladies Championship of Australia on the Sandringham course.

During the Australian Amateur Championship an interstate match was also played between teams from Victoria and New South Wales. The matches were played over the Royal Melbourne links, then the following year on the Royal Sydney course at Rose Bay. It was the practice for the members of the host club to raise a purse of £50 for a 36 hole professional tournament. In 1905 Alex was joined in Australia by his twin brother John, and the following year, playing off a handicap of plus two, they were among the fifteen professionals taking part. In 1907 Alex reached the final of the Australian PGA Championship at Royal Melbourne. He was defeated 4&3 by Dan Soutar (Carnoustie) who had five three's in the first ten holes. Alex and John McLaren where the first brothers to compete in the Australian Professional Championship, both finishing in the top ten in 1905, 1906, 1907.

Alex McLaren was runner-up to Dan Soutar in the final of the Australian PGA in 1905.

Alex moved to Honolulu in the Territory of Hawaii on Friday 15th November 1907 and was the first pro at the nine-hole course at Oahu Country Club and looked over the course with Frank Halstead. Alex McLaren played the nine-hole Moanalua course in 37 strokes and the Oahu Country Club in 38 and suggested the courses were too easy and short. He was invited by Samuel Damon the landowner to look over the course at Moanalua where Donald McIntyre was green keeper and give advice on the new bunkers.

Alex McLaren resigned in June 1909 and sailed east on the Aorangi. Alex 'Sandy' Bell a former club maker at North Berwick and pro at San Rafael, California, took over at Oahu Country Club. Alex McLaren moved to California and was appointed pro at Annandale Golf Club, one of the first 18-hole courses in Southern California, situated one mile from Pasadena, and eight miles from downtown Los Angeles.

The original 18-hole course at Annandale had sand greens and was one of the longest at 6,750 yards with two adjacent Polo fields. The club was founded by Henry Huntington, the rail-road magnate and George Patton father of the famous American General. The mild climate attracted many wealthy families to the area including the Gambles, Kellogg's and Weyerhaeuser's who were taught the game at Annandale by the twin professionals.

(Above: Alex McLaren - LA Times 1910)

During WW1 Alex was resident golf instructor at the Kort Hotel in Chicago and in September 1917 he crossed the Canadian border and travelled to the Toronto Mobilization Centre where he enlisted in the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force, 1st Depot Battalion C.O.R (Central Ontario Regiment). Following WW1 he visited his parents in North Berwick and returned to America in January 1919. His contact in New York was John R Taylor a pro from Carnoustie living at 209 East, 21st Street. Alex then moved south to a sporting goods outlet in Albuquerque, New Mexico (1919-1923). At Christmas 1921 he was joined by his brother Jock McLaren who returned to the hotel at Castle Hot Springs in January. Alex moved to Warren District Country Club, Bisbee, Arizona (1924-27). This was a copper mining town and the golf course was purpose built by the Phelps Dodge Mining Company for their higher ranking employees. In 1928 Alex moved to Coos Country Club, Marshfield, Oregon and later that year to Enid Country Club, Oklahoma.

JOHN M. McLAREN     Englewood CC,Bergen NJ.USA

John Marshall McLaren was a caddie on the West Links, North Berwick and was granted a 1st class caddie badge No.128 on 4th June 1896. He joined the professional ranks in 1904 and took over from his twin brother at Hampstead Golf Club. That year John McLaren reached the final of the Tooting Bec Cup a 36 hole competition organised by the PGA and played that year at West Middlesex Golf Club. The tournament was unique for that period in that some of the professionals were given handicaps. John McLaren was playing off three and his gift of six strokes over the two rounds was enough to allow him to tie with James Braid on 147. An 18-hole play-off followed, and McLaren still with his handicap of three was tied coming to the last but the pressure finally got to the young pro. He topped his drive into the pit in front of the teeing area, and his ball disappeared forever. Braid drove the green and got down in three to win the tournament. The PGA never repeated the experiment of allowing handicaps in a major tournament.

In 1904, John McLaren joined his brother in Australia and later that year he moved to New Zealand where he was appointed professional to the nine-hole course at Otago Golf Club in Dunedin. In January 1905 Jock Mclaren won the first professional tournament to be held in New Zealand at Ngamotu Golf Club. The club provided cash prizes worth £20. In January 1906 Alex McLaren was runner-up in the New Years Day tournament and the following year he won the Professional Championship of New Zealand by one stroke from David Hood who was employed by Alex McLaren as a clubmaker in his workshop at the neighbouring Balmacewen Golf Club.

In August 1907, John McLaren left New Zealand for Melbourne to compete in the Australian Open Championship. It was reported in the Otago Witness in December 1907, that Jack had accepted a three month engagement with Royal Melbourne. A writer on the Sydney Mail said Alex McLaren played well in the Melbourne Professional match play competitions which confirmed his position as one of the best professionals in Australia. Alex often suggested his twin brother John would be the better man had he the opportunity for practice.

In September 1907, John McLaren entered the first ever New Zealand Open played over the Waiohiki links at Napier Golf Club. McLaren was the leading professional at the Open Championship and he received £25 prize money. David Hood from Musselburgh was runner-up, finishing one stroke behind. In those days only the leading amateur players could win the Open Championship of New Zealand. John McLaren coached the left handed Claude Felstead who won the Australian Open Championship in 1909. Earlier Felstead promised that if he ever won a tournament he would not forget his tutor and true to his word Felstead presented John McLaren with a gold watch. Following Alex's departure, John McLaren was appointed head pro at Royal Melbourne before returning to North Berwick in 1909.

John McLaren followed his brother to America, sailing from Glasgow on S S Columbia, he arrived in New York on 11th October 1910. John McLaren travelled to California and joined Alex as pro at Annandale Golf Club. Formerly Pasadena Country Club laid out on the Campbell-Johnston Ranch. In November 1910, the Los Angeles Times reported that the golfers in Southern California where still talking about Alex McLaren's wonderful round of golf when he set a new course record 68 on the par 74 Annandale course. Alex held the previous record of 70 made a few months earlier. That year Alex's former pupil at Honolulu, Austin White was a finalist in both the Amateur Championship of the Pacific Coast Golf Association and the prodigious Del Monte Tournament. In September 1911 Jack McLaren entered the Del Monte Professional Tournament and met up with his former school-mate George Turnbull who he had not seen for over ten years.

McLaren Brothers, September 1906, Sandringham, Melbourne Copyright © The Leon Old Golf Collection

John McLaren was pro at Castle Hot Springs, the first spa resort in Arizona where many of the wealthy American families had a private residence including the Rockefellers, Vanderbilt's, Wrigley's and Kennedy's. John McLaren was the first golf instructor on the nine-hole course at the Castle Hot Springs Hotel laid out in 1899. The following year John McLaren moved to Colorado where he was the resident pro at Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, and that year he was appointed to Englewood CC, Bergen NJ. In 1919 McLaren was hired to laid out the course at Hassayampa Country Club, Prescott, Arizona, which was opened for play in November that year. In 1921 John McLaren was based at Grand Beach Country Club in Michigan and in 1925 he laid out the original nine-hole course at Fox Acres Country Club in the Red Feather lakes area, Colorado. He also designed the 18-hole course at Bailey Springs, Florence, Alabama, opened in April 1927. John moved back to Colorado in 1930 and was resident golf instructor at the Astor Hotel, 1960 Broadway, Denver. In 1930 the twins were joined in America by their nephew John McLaren (below) from North Berwick, Scotland who was a golf pro in Wisconsin.

JOHN McLAREN (1908-1994)    Lawsonia Golf Club, Wisconsin, USA

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John 'Jock' McLaren born 11th November 1908, 13 Melbourne Place, North Berwick son of James McLaren, a slater to trade and his wife Margaret Gordon. Jock McLaren was the nephew of Alex and John McLaren listed above. Jock McLaren was a caddy at North Berwick and Muirfield and on leaving school he served a five year apprenticeship as a clubmaker with Ben Sayers & Son in their workshop next to the first tee on the West Links, North Berwick. Jock McLaren learned to play the game over the Glen golf course at North Berwick. He was also a member of the Rhodes Golf Club wining the Haldane Cup in 1929 and Maxwell Shield in 1930. That year Jock emigrated to America and arrived in New York on 8th April 1930. He was appointed assistant to James Souter from North Berwick, who was head pro at Tuxedo Golf Club, New York. He was also assistant to Robert Thomson from North Berwick, pro at Greenwich Country Club, Connecticut. In the same class as McLaren at North Berwick Public School was Jimmy Thomson who emigrated with his parents to America in 1922. Thomson joined what was to become the US. Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Tour and was recognised as the longest driver in the game during the 1930s and 40s.

Jock McLaren was freelance for a while before being signed up as professional at Green Lake's Lawsonia course in 1937. McLaren resided on a farm at Elo, Oshkosh and played part-time on the golf tour and spent most of his winters in Florida as golf i nstructor at Ormond Beach Golf Club. John became a naturalised citizen of America at Indiana City, Illinois in September 1941.

In 1952 McLaren was appointed manager and professional at Waupaca Country Club, Wisconsin and two years later he was pro at Fox Valley Golf Club, Kaukana. He then followed Harry Dettlaff as superintendant at Mary Jewell Park Golf Course, known later as Oshkosh Municipal Golf Course. In 1957 he was elected President of the Wisconsin PGA representing the Northeastern District. He then moved to the west coast and was pro and manager at the Barbara Worth Resort & Country Club, EL Centro, California. He took a similar position at Mountain View Golf Club, Whitefield, New Hampshire.

In January 1958, Jock was signed up as manager of Lakeshore Municipal Golf Club, Oshkosh in Northeastern Wisconsin. For the first time he was permitted to operated outside the park board jurisdiction as a separate municipal facility and was directly responsible to the city manager. One of the first things McLaren did at Lakeshore was reverse the nines with the present back nine then the front nine. He retired from Lakeshore in February 1974 and resided with his wife Eleanor Shea and their five children at 7326 Banville Road, Oshkosh. Jock McLaren died 4th April 1994 at San Antonio, Texas.

More pro golfers have resided in the stair at 98 High Street than any other. Ben Sayers (1895 and 1911); Billy and John Keppie (1924); Willie Anderson (1893); Arthur Fennell (1956) Fred McLeod (1893); and Willie Stuart (1896).

PATRICK W.R. McLEOD (1878-1956)    Carholme Golf Club, Lincoln, UK

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Patrick William Robertson McLeod, born 2nd November 1878 at 2 Earlston Place, Norton Park, Edinburgh son of Neil McLeod, a Chelsea Pensioner and manager of the Temperance Cafe in North Berwick and his wife Marion Whigham. In 1880 Patrick's parents moved to North Berwick where his younger brother Fred McLeod was born. As a teenager Patrick caddied on the West Links, North Berwick and in 1893 he was granted a license as a professional. During this period the West Links was described as a golf academy with ten licensed professionals, six available to give lessons and the remainder to play with the members and their guests.

In 1895, the course at North Berwick was extended and that year Patrick's father was in charge of the ginger beer stand beside the ninth tee. Fred McLeod joined Bass Rock Golf Club in North Berwick and in 1903 Patrick followed his brother Fred to America and was appointed golf professional at Riverside Golf Club, an all-black club playing on the publicly-owned East and West Potomac Golf Courses, later known as the Lincoln Memorial Golf Course after the Memorial was built 1915-22 overlooking the course. Patrick returned to Britain on the SS. Corinthian and arrived in Glasgow on 20th November 1905.

He was appointed green-keeper/professional at Trefiw and Llanrwst Golf Club (1905-1907) in Conwy County, North Wales. He moved to Carholme Golf Club, Lincolnshire (1909-1943). Patrick married his second wife Annie Crookes in July 1914, and they had a son Neil Frederick McLeod and a daughter Theodora Marguerta McLeod. The family lived at 8 Whitehall Grove, Lincoln.

In 1926 Fred McLeod returned to Britain to play in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Anne's. During his visit he took part in an international match at Wentworth between America and Great Britain, which was the fore runner to the Ryder Cup. Throughout Fred's visit his contact was listed as Golf House, Carholme, Lincoln.

Patrick remained at Carholme for over 40 years and retired in 1948. The members also installed Patrick and his family in a rent-free house in Lincoln for his retirement. Fred McLeod returned to Britain on the Queen Elizabeth in 1952 for the final time to visit his brother at 12 Henson Road, Lincoln and his friends in North Berwick. Patrick McLeod died in the Lincoln County Hospital on 8th April 1956, aged 77 years.

JOHN C. MORTON (1881-1971)    Freeport Country Club, Illinois, USA

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John Crawford Morton, born 7th September 1881 in North Berwick, son of George Morton, Railway Carrier and his wife Jessie Crawford. Jessie's family worked the Rhodes Quarry at North Berwick. John 'Jack' Morton was a plumber to trade and in 1905, he was granted a license as a professional on the West Links. He lived with his parents, two sisters and a brother at 47, Westgate, North Berwick.

Jack Morton emigrated to America in 1906 and was appointed golf professional to the nine-hole course at Point Judith Country Club, Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island. During the winter the hotels and local facilities closed and Jack took the opportunity in 1907 to return Scotland and he sailed back to America on the S.S. Caledonia in March 1908 when he signed up with Rockford Country Club, Illinos.

In 1910 the 'Rock Island Argos' reported on the Western Golf Association Open Tournament at Beverly Country Club, Chicago when Jack Morton defeated Robert Peebles of Dallas in the quarter-finals. Morton was beaten by Jim Barnes of Spokane in the semi-final by 1 hole. That year Jack moved to the nine-hole course at the Country Club of Peoria, Illinois and in 1915 he assisted in extending the course to 18 holes. The playing season was short from May until September.

Jack Morton qualified for the Western Open in 1912 and 1913 when the event was played at Memphis C.C where he met up with George Livingstone (above). In the winter of 1910 and 1912 he visited North Berwick and in March 1912 he returned to America on the S.S. California, three weeks before the Titanic disaster.

In 1916, Jack moved to Racine Country Club on the shores of Lake Michigan, south of Milwaukee in Wisconsin and that year he qualified for the US Open at Minikahda Golf Club, Minnesota. The field included North Berwick men, Fred McLeod, Jim Ferguson, Bob MacDonald, Jimmy Wilson and George Turnbull. In 1918, Jack was persuaded by Byron Trueblood to move to Freeport Country Club in northwest Illinois where he remained for over eighteen years.

The Freeport Journal Standard regularily carried adverts for the Messing & Becker Sporting Goods company on E. Stephenson Street, Freeport offering for sale Jack Morton's beginners selection of well balanced golf clubs including a Brassie, Mid-Iron, Mashie, and Putter with canvas and leather trim priced at $6.85. In 1920 Jack was joined by his brother-in-law George Amos (Portobello) who was appointed a green keeper at the Country Club.

In 1920, he qualified for the Western Open at Olympia Fields and entered the Illinois State Championship in 1923 and became a US Citizen on 3rd March 1924. Jack's regular caddie was George Schmeizie and for several years Jack held the Country Club course record of 32 strokes.

Jack laid out the course at Welty Golf Club in 1924, the first public course in Freeport. He also designed the Wolf Hollow golf course for Lena Golf Club (1928) and the course at Mount Morris for the members of Sunset Golf Club (1937). Jack and Ann's daughters Elizabeth and Doreen played golf and his son Bob Morton joined the professional ranks. Jack Morton died in May 1971 at Freeport, Stephenson County, Illinois.

ROBERT MURRAY (1885-1944)    Dresden Golf Club, GER

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Robert Murray born 19th June 1885, Beresford Cottage, 28 Forth Street, North Berwick, son of Robert Murray, a tailor and his wife Elizabeth Bertram. At the age of 14 years 'Wee Bob' was a golf caddie and lived with his parents at 13, Melbourne Place. In 1906, he was a licensed professional on the West Links, North Berwick and played in the Open Championship at Muirfield. Bob Murray moved to Germany in 1907 and was appointed pro to Dresden Golf Club (1907-1914). He married local girl Anna Thalheim in 1910, a former caddie girl at Dresden Golf Links which were situated at the Dresden-Reick horse track.

Bob gave lessons to the two sons of Major von Schimpff the club secretary, Mrs Kronheim the Jewish owner of a straw hat factory and the Rev. Wurthgen minister of the Scottish Church in Dresden.

In 1910, he laid out the first nine-holes at the newly established Munich Golf Club together with Sir Ralph Paget, a diplomat in the British Foreign Service. At this time there was only one 18 hole course in Germany at Baden Baden. Bob played in the Professional Golfers Tournament in 1911 at Oberhof where he finished second. He also played in the famous Baden-Baden Open Championship in 1911 which Harry Vardon won.During WW1 Bob Murray was interned at Ruhleben, a village eight miles west of Berlin in the Spandau district, which became a British civilian detention camp (1915-1918).

Conditions at Ruhleben Camp in the early days were described as intolerable, but things improved with food parcels from home. His internment was noted in the Scotsman newspaper on 22nd June 1915. The camp contained over 4,500 prisoners and among the inmates where a number of English professional footballers. In May 1915 an England XI featuring Pentland, Wolstenholme, Brearley and Bloomer played a World XI captained by Jock Cameron, a Scottish Internationalist. The match was watched by over 1,000 prisoners.

The POW's laid out a 12 hole golf course in the Ruhleben Camp and organised a professional golf tournament in 1915. The professionals included R. Murray (Dresden); J. B. Holt (Hamburg); W. Jackson (Cologne); E. Warburton (Kiel); F. Richardson (Bremen); C. Culling (Darmstadt); J. Brown (Assist. Berlin) and A. Andrews (Hannover). The competition was 36 holes medal play with four prizes donated by the members of the Ruhleben Golf Club. During the final round Murray had a ten foot putt on the last green to win the tournament but missed and finished tied for the led with J. B. Holt. The Camp magazine described the play-off over 12 holes as a 'ding-dong battle' which the little Scotsman won by three strokes.

In November 1917 Murray spent time in the Schonungsbaracke (Convalescent Barracks) and later five weeks in the Lazarett (Military Hospital). On his release Bob and Anna moved to Holland on 22nd March 1918 and then to Scotland where in April 1919 Bob was granted his professional license at North Berwick. Anna Murray could not settle in the UK and the follow year they moved to Denmark where he was appointed pro at Copenhagen Golf Club (1920-1928). In 1925 he won the Scandinavian Open playing faultless golf he lowered the course record and finished sixteen stokes ahead of the runner-up. A Danish newspaper article described him as a quiet, honest and stable man although he did not play as well as 'Turnbull' his predecessor, (Robert Turnbull from Musselburgh), Murray was a better teacher and took more care of his pupils (without making bets with them). An iron club stamped with the name Robert Murray is on display in the Danish Golf Museum.

In December 1928 Murray and his wife returned to Germany and he was appointed to the newly opened Lubeck-Travenmunde Golf Club on the shores of the Baltic Sea (1928 - 1939). In 1930 Bob Murray won the German Professional Golfers Championship, played on the North Sea island of Norderney, a true links course. He was runner-up in this event in 1911, 3rd in 1928 and 4th in both 1931 and 1932. During the winter months he gave lessons to the Gutermann family on their private golf course near Freiburg in the south of Germany.

In August 1939, shortly before war broke out the Murray's managed to leave Travemunde with the help of some club member's to cross the border into Denmark and where he worked for a short period at Aalborg Golf Club. In 1940, he was arrested by German troops in Denmark and put into a internment camp. Anna Murray's relatives in Dresden succeded in getting Robert released from prison, and it has been suggested that his brother-in-law even asked Foreign Secretary of State von Ribbentrop to assist.

In November 1941 Murray was back in Dresden working as a golf pro on the course laid out in 1930 at Dresden-Bad Weisser Hirsch. Murray was the last golf professional in Nazi Germany. The appalling conditions which prevailed in war-time Germany, coupled with the fact he refused to become a German citizen, and therefore did not qualify for food rations, Robert Murray died of starvation in April 1944 in Dresden and was buried in the Tolkewitzer cemetery. According to golf historian Christoph Meister, in 1946 Anna Murray had to sell off the 1930 German Professional Championship Golf medal and she died in Dresden in 1947.

Robert Murray's brother George Murray (b.1899) served his apprenticeship as a clubmaker with Ben Sayers & Son. In 1923 he joined William Keppie in Denmark and was appointed his assistant at Esbjerg Golf Club in the southern district of Denmark. The following year George moved to Fano Golf Club (1923-27).

George was reinstated as an amateur and joined his younger brother Henry 'Rouzie' Murray (b.1902) as a member of the Glen, Bass Rock and Rhodes Golf Clubs in North Berwick. Rouzie Murray was Captain of the Glen Golf Club 1928-30 and is the only player to win the Bass Rock Golf Club Summer Scratch Medal three years in a row from 1922. George and Rouzie are the only brothers to represent the Rhodes Golf Club in a wining East Lothian County Cup team in 1929.

Rouzie Murray also worked for Ben Sayers & Son and he made wooden club heads in a ramshackle timber building in Forth Street, opposite Ben Sayers factory. While the iron heads were forged in the factory, Rouzie crafted the persimmon blocks in his workshop this was before the days of health and safety regulations. The fumes from the petrol driven machine filled the air and Henry who was usually covered from head to foot in saw dust must have appreciated the fresh air on the Links.

WILLIAM NICHOLS (1882-1972)    Muskogee Country Club, Oklahoma, USA

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William 'Bill' Nichols Jnr, born 26th April 1882 in Springwell Place, Edinburgh, son of William Nichols, coachman and his wife Christina McGregor. Willie had two sisters Mary Anne (b.1880) and Catherine (b.1884) who attended Dalry Normal Episcopalian School. His father was appointed coachman to George Dalziel and the family moved to Dalrymple Villa, 9 West Bay Road (Cranston), North Berwick in 1884. George Dalziel was a solicitor and practiced law at 66 Queens Street, Edinburgh. At that time he owned nineteen properties in North Berwick, and carried out the legal work for Sir Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple owner of the North Berwick Estate. In 1902, Dalziel purchased Redholm in Greenheads Road, overlooking the Burgh golf course and the Nichols family moved to the coachouse where they remained employed until 1920.

"Grand Old Man Of Oklahoma Golf"

Bill Nichols was a member of Bass Rock Golf Club at North Berwick and in 1898 he moved to Edinburgh. Bill worked as a legal clerk with George Dalziel (above) who also provided accommodation in his property at 1 Rothesay Mews. In 1902 Bill Nichols was a founder member of Corstorphine Golf Club and won their scratch medal in 1902, 1903 and 1905.

Bill Nichols was just under 5 feet 11 inches tall, with fair hair, and blue eyes. At the age of 26 years he sailed to America from Glasgow on the SS Caledonia and arrived in New York on May 24th 1908, listing his occupation as 'Clerk'. In October 1908 he left the amateur ranks and accepted an engagement with the Town and Country Club of Muskogee as their first professional. He was recommended for the position by Leslie Brownlee from North Berwick. Brownlee was pro at Lakeview Country Club, the forerunner to Oklahoma City Golf Club. Brownlee laid out the original nine-hole course at Muskogee with sand greens and in June 1908 Bill Nichols had the course open for play. Six months earlier Oklahoma had joined with Indian Territories to form the 46th State of America.

In 1908, Bill Nichols laid out the original nine-hole course at Tulsa Golf and Country Club, also with sand greens. The first Oklahoma Open Championship was played in 1910 at Tulsa Country Club. The two players in contention were Leslie Brownlee of Lakeview Country Club in Oklahoma City and Bill Nichols pro at Muskogee Town and Country Club. By the second nine holes Nichols had an eight stoke advantage and Brownlee retired.

Bill Nichols won the first two Oklahoma Open Championships in 1910 and 1911. In 1912 Indiana born Chester Paul Nelson snatched the championship played at Tulsa Country Club. A year later Nelson won the State Championship again, this time at Oklahoma City and Country Club. This was the first to be contested over eighteen holes, nine-holes of the old Lakeview and nine from the new course which resulted in a three way tie which Nelson won after a playoff. The two rivals stood at two wins apiece.

By 1911, more ground was acquired and the Muskogee golf course was extended to 18 holes. Nichols also gave instruction to the lady members of the Town and Country Club and arranged a ladies tournament with the weekly draw published in the Muskogee Daily Phoenx. Nichols coached club member Harry G. Gwinnup winner of the State Amateur Championship three times. In 1912 and 1914 Nichols entered the Western Open and in 1914 qualified for the US Open at Midlothian Country Club. In 1915, he moved to Lakewood Country Club in Dallas, and then in 1916 to Dallas Country Club.

In 1914 the fifth Oklahoma Open was held at Oak Hill Country Club in Bartlesville when Bill Nichols regained his title with a three-stroke victory. By then Nichols was pro at Lakewood Country Club in Dallas. The decisive match took place on June 17, 1916 at Muskogee Town and Country Club. Returning to his old club, Nichols captured his fourth and final Oklahoma Open with rounds of 71-70 and fifty dollars prize money.

Ralph Guldahl was born in South Glasgow Drive, Dallas in November 1911 and won the US Open in 1937, 1938 and the Masters in 1939. He was a caddy at Tenison Park and Lakewood golf courses where he learned to play golf. In 1928 he won the Dallas Junior Golf Championship, and the following year he won the Texas High School Championship and Dallas City Championship.

Nichols retired from pro golf in 1917, was re-instated as an amateur and won the Oklahoma State Championship in 1925 and 1927. He went into real estate and insurance business until his retirement in 1963. Nichols was president of Muskogee Country Club and secretary there for many years.

Left: Bill Nichols giving instruction in 1914 Copyright © Muskogee Phoenix

He was a great supporter of the Muskogee Roughers, the high school football team and the 'Bill Nichols' award for Rougher team leader has been given annually since 1947. The team got their name 'Roughers' because many of the players performed without helmets, due to lack of funding, and for their rough play. Nichols was president of the Muskogee Quarterback Club for several years and in 1930 was appointed President of the Oklahoma State Golf Association.

Bill's wife Margaret was from Texas and they lived with their two sons and a daughter at 411 North 12th Street, Muskogee City. Bill Nichols died in February 1972 at Broadway Manor, Muskogee, aged 89 years. As a teenager in North Berwick his golfing highlight was being selected to represent the Bass Rock Golf Club in the four-man team to play in the Wemyss County Cup, now the oldest foursome tournament in the world. His regular partner in the Bass Rock competitions was Fred McLeod, US Open champion in 1908. Nichols was a founder member of Corstorphine Golf Club in Edinburgh which became Ratho Park Golf Club. An interclub match between Bass Rock and Ratho continues to be played annually for the Fred McLeod Trophy. A friendship between golf clubs started by Bill Nichols in 1902 and has now lasted over a century. William Nichols was an inductee in the Oklahoma Golf Hall Of Fame in 2019.

GEORGE G. NEILL   Tynemouth Golf Club UK

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George Guthrie Neill born 21st January 1905 at 36, Forth Street, North Berwick, son of John Grant Neill a stone mason and his wife Frances Millar. George served a five year apprenticeship as a greenkeeper on the West Links, North Berwick. At the age of eighteen he joined the artisan Bass Rock Golf Club, wining the Aggregate Handicap Medal in 1924. He was appointed professional at Stirling (1930) and then Callander Golf Club (1935) before moving to Windyhill Golf Club, Bearsden, a post he held for ten years. In 1948 George was Captain of the Glasgow and District P.G.A. In February 1949 he was offered the position of head professional at Tynemouth Golf Club where he remained until his retirement. His parents resided at 42, Quality Street, North Berwick.

WILLIAM NISBET   North Berwick West Links

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William Nisbet born 22nd July 1891 at Duncanlaw, Gifford, East Lothian, son of William Brown Nisbet, gardener and his wife Janet Little from Selkirk. William Nisbet Jnr. was educated at Gifford and KIngston Public Schools and in 1908 he resided with his parents at 13, Melbourne Place, North Berwick. Willie Jnr. joined the artisan Rhodes Golf Club playing over the burgh course at North Berwick and in 1912 he won the Farquharson Scratch Medal. Willie Jnr. trained as a gardener and resided with his father and sister at 7, Lorne Lane, North Berwick. Willie Jnr. was appointed greenkeeper at St Abbs & Coldingham Golf Course laid out by Davie Grant from North Berwick in 1911. The previous year Ben Sayers gave the club advice. During this period Willie Nisbet Snr. was employed as a licensed caddie on the North Berwick West Links.

During the First World War William Nisbet Jnr. enlisted in the 8th Bn. Royal Scots on 29th March 1915. He was posted to France and died of his wounds in No.42 casualty clearing station on 4th March 1917, aged 25 years. He was interred in Aubigny Communal Cemetery and his name is engraved on the North Berwick War Memorial in Quality Street.

Gullane golf course in 1897 with the first tee off Saltcoats Road    Copyright © Life Association of Scotland

ORR SISTERS (Edith 1876-1955, Theodora 1891-1914, Aimee 1872-1971)    Ladies' British Open Amateur Champion

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Edith C. Orr won the Ladies' British Open Amateur Championship at Gullane in 1897. She learned to play golf during her summer holidays at North Berwick when the family occupied Winterfield Lodge overlooking the seventeenth fairway. Edith was taught by local professional David Grant, and it was said her swing resembled Grant's style. The family lived at 21 Woodside Terrace, Glasgow and their father John Orr had a business manufacturing cotton thread in their Wilson Street mill. During the summer months they moved to 18 Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick and their father engaged Grant as his daughter's personal golf instructor. John Orr was very immobile without the aid of his horse and believed in physical training for his daughters and selected golf as their chosen sport.

An article in a Australian newspaper reported there were a 102 entries for the Ladies Championship played that year at Gullane. The first day was wet and misty and Miss Pearson the secretary of the Ladies Golf Union put out Miss Pascoe, the previous years champion but was herself put out later by Mrs Mills on the second day when the weather was fine. For the fourth round on the third day only 16 players were left. The fifth round was played in a downpour of rain and left in was Miss E.M. Titterton (Portobello), Miss E.C. Orr (North Berwick), Miss E. L. Kennedy (Rhyl) and Miss A. L. Orr (North Berwick).

The weather on the last day was wretched and in some of the matches it was almost impossible to follow the flight of the ball so thick was the mist. Miss E.C.Orr and Miss A.L. Orr respectively defeated Misses Titterton and Kennedy and for the first time in the history of the championship two sister contested the final. The elder sister was expected to win, but she played rather poorly on the greens and Miss Edith Orr won on the 15th hole in consequence with 4 and 3. Rain fell heavily during the game. The third sister Aimee reaching the quarter finals. Davie Grant caddied for Edith C. Orr throughout the competition which attracted criticism from the LGU. Unfortunately their father died in 1887 and did not share in his daughter's achievements. The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser.

In July 1902 Edith and her sister Theodora Orr played a foursome match over the West Links, against Frances Griscom, US Women's Amateur Champion in 1900 and Miss Rhonda Adair, the Irish Champion from Portrush. They were followed by a huge gallery of spectators and the Orr sisters won the match 2&1. Throughout the summer Frances Griscom was being coached by Ben Sayers at North Berwick. This was the start of a relationship between Merion Golf Club in Philadelphia where Frances was a member and the Sayers family which lasted until the 1960s.

In an article written in 1902, Frances Griscom, selected her top ten women golfers in the world and she included Edith C. Orr. Griscom described Miss Orr as having the best example of a half-swing she had ever seen. She plays very much like Miss Hoyt. Although it is not a pretty style, it is most effective. She plays her mid-iron and full mashie shots better than any woman I know. This is her forte and her drives are also good but not wonderful. After her father died the family moved permanently to 18, Dirleton Avenue, North Berwick where Edith died in 1955. Their brother R.W Orr, a second lieutenant in the London Irish Rifles was killed in France during WW1 in October 1915. He was a fine golfer and a member of Prestwick St Nicholas and Tantallon Golf Club. Their younger brother was Major Norman Charles Orr, born in 6th August 1883 in Winterfield Lodge, North Berwick. He joined the Seaforth Highlanders and was killed by tribesmen near Landikotal, India on 8th April 1923 aged 39 years. He was gazetted to the regiment on 22nd October 1902 and was buried in Peshawar Cemetery, India.

Their brother John A Orr served in the Manchester Regiment in 1899 and transferred to the Cameron Highlanders in 1905. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 1900. John served in the South African War and received the Queens Medal with 4 clasps and Kings Medal with 2 clasps. He was promoted to Captain in 1905 and qualified for Staff College. He was assistant Subaltern Officer at Southampton and on the outbreak of the First World War he left to join the Cameron Highlanders on September 26th 1914. He was killed-in-action at Langemarck, France on 22nd October 1914 and his name is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Their cousin Charles E. Orr (1867-1935) was a fine amateur golfer and was described as the Managing Director of the family business of Cotton Spinner and Thread Manufacturer at Neilston Mills, in Renfrewshire. Living on independent means he emigrated to California in 1906, and resided on Muirfield Road, Los Angeles. He joined Pasadena Golf Club and won the Amateur Championship of Southern California.

GEORGE ORMISTON    Pittsburgh Golf Club

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Mark Ormiston born 1813, Whitekirk, East Lothian, son of Mark Ormiston Snr., builder and his wife Elizabeth Ferguson. Mark moved to North Berwick in 1871 and resided at No.8 Abbey House. Mark joined the artisan Bass Rock Golf Club, at North Berwick West Links and won the Summer Scratch Medal in 1878. He returned to Haddington where his son George A.Ormiston was born 30th January 1874 at Veitch Park. He sailed to America in 1888 and laid out the nine-hole course at Mt.Lebanon he was an original member of Oakmont Country Club and Pittsburgh Golf Club. George Aitken Robertson Orminston was born January 30th 1874 at Haddington, Scotland. His family came to Pittsburgh when he was about 10 years old.

He sailed to America in 1888 and laid out the nine-hole course at Mt.Lebanon. He was an original member of Oakmont Country Club and Pittsburgh Golf Club. George was secretary of the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association for over 26 years. He entered the printing business in 1896 and became nationally prominent in that industry. George Ormiston was a very competent amateur golfer and widely known and beloved golfer. George died at his home near Pittsburgh on June 9th 1940. He had been ill with a heart attack for several weeks. George won the first West Penn amateur championship in 1899 and often was a highly-favoured competitor in the National Amateur. Of later years he had confined his play to Father-Son tournaments and the week-end sweets at Oakmont. He was one of the grandest companies on course, in clubhouse and in golf's official meetings.

GEORGE, ANDREW AND JAMES PEACOCK    Knole Park Golf Club, Kent, UK

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George Rodger Peacock born 13th November 1892 at 36 Horsemarket in Kelso, son of John D Peacock, fishing rod maker and his wife Jane Lyall. The family moved to 56 High Street, North Berwick where George served an apprenticeship as a greenkeeper in 1920 under the supervision of legendary head greenkeeper Alex Gow. Their brother James Lloyd Peacock born 1890 in Kelso, was a painter to trade in North Berwick. James Peacock emigrated to America sailing from Glasgow on the S.S. Cameron he arrived in New York on 31st March 1913. His contact in America was Henry Chisholm a golf club-maker from St Andrews who resided at 54 Chestnut Street, Boston. Mike Brady pro at Oakland Hills Golf Club, Bloomfield, Michigan recommended Henry Chisholm as pro in Pittsburg before he moved to the Country Club of Lansing, Michigan.

In 1924 George was appointed the first pro at the newly opened Knole Park Golf Club, Sevenoaks. The following year George set a new course record 68 and a week later his brother Andrew went round in 67. Sam King, a local boy was George Peacock's assistant at Knole Park, and he played in the Ryder Cup in 1937 and 1947. King was appointed head pro when George Peacock retired in 1955. George died in 1957 in Surrey.

Andrew Inglis Peacock (b.1901) brother of George was also a licensed golf professional on the West Links at North Berwick. Andrew was described as an assistant to Ben Sayers before becoming Private Professional to the Weimer and Rothschild families. Andrew was assistant to his brother George at Knole Park (1924-27) before moving to the neighbouring Wildernesse Golf Club (1927-63). He played in the Open Championship in 1933, 1934, 1938 and 1939, and died in 1981 in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

JAMES PRINGLE    Interlachen Golf Club, Minnesota, USA

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James Pringle born 25th February 1896, 8 Morrison Place, Stow, Midlothian, son of Alexander Pringle, foreman baker and his wife Isabella Campbell. Jim Pringle and his parents, three brothers and a sister moved to North Berwick in 1902 and resided at 25 Melbourne Place. On leaving school Pringle was first a caddie and then a freelance golf professional on the West Links at North Berwick.

Jim Pringle emigrated to Canada, sailing from Glasgow he arrived in the port of St John, New Brunswick on 15 April 1921. He was appointed golf professional at Brandon Golf and Country Club, Manitoba (1921-22) and then head professional at Alcrest Golf Club, Winnipeg (1923-26). In May 1922 Jim was joined in Manitoba by his 21 year old brother-in-law Alexander M. Reid from Scotland who was listed as his golf assistant at Brandon. In August 1925 Mary Pringle returned to her family home at 6 Strawberry Bank, Linlithgow, Scotland to have her second child called Isabel. Mary was accompanied on the journey by her eldest daughter Agnes and they returned to Minnesota with the new baby on 15th May 1926.

In the 1930 US Census Alex Reid was residing with Jim Pringle and his family at 222 Emerson Avenue South, Minneapolis and both were working 'on their own account' as golf professionals. Later in 1930, Jim Pringle was appointed golf instructor at Interlachen Country Club, Edina, Minnesota after being recommended for the position by the head professional Willie Kidd from Monifieth, Scotland. Jim Pringle had just arrived at the club when Bobby Jones captured the third leg of golf's Grand Slam at Interlachen during the 1930 U.S.Open Championship.

Pringle represented Interlachen in the 1930 Minnesota State Open Championship at Golden Valley Country Club and finished in sixth place. He also worked for the members of Rochester County Club while residing at 2737 Dakota, St Louis Park, Minnesota. Jim Pringle was engaged to give golf lessons to Patty Berg winner of the Minneapolis City Championship in 1934. Patty Berg turned professional in 1940 and put her career on hold during WW2 when she joined the US Marines. Berg became a pioneer of women's professional golf and won a record 15 majors including the first US Women's Open Championship in 1946. Jim Pringle became a citizen of the United States of America in 1943 and during this period he worked freelance from premises on Emerson Avenue South, Hennepin. Minnesota. Pringle retired to California and died in San Diego in December 1968. Alex Reid visited Scotland in November 1927 and was accompanied on the journey by Robert Millar from North Berwick, pro in Michigan. They returned to America the following year sailing from Glasgow to Quebec and travelling on to Minnesota.

PETER PURVES (1884-1930)    Essex Fells Country Club, NJ

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Peter Allison Purves born 17th November 1884 at 3, Divine Cottages, opposite Harmony Place in Forth Street, North Berwick, son of Robert Purves, a joiner and his wife Marion Divine. In 1898, Peter was an apprentice draper living with his mother and father, then described as a clubmaker, two sisters and two brothers at 10 High Street. In 1902, Peter was a licensed caddie on the West Links and in 1906 he became a member of the Rhodes Golf Club playing off a handicap of three.

Duncan Fleming was a lodger with the Purves family at 10 High Street, North Berwick. Fleming was a gardener to trade and was appointed the first greenskeeper on the Burgh Golf course in 1908. In March 1915 Peter Purves was pro at Strathpeffer Golf Club in Ross and Cromarty when he enlisted in the 3rd Seaforth Highlanders. In 1917 he was transferred to the 51st Division of the Gordon Highlanders and was wounded three times, gassed and shell shocked in the trenches. Peter reached the rank of sergeant while part of the Army of Occupation in Germany and was not discharged until January 1920 at the Barry Camp, Carnoustie.

Peter emigrated to America, sailing from Glasgow with the Anchor Line on S.S. Columbia he arrived in New York on 9th April 1920. His contact in the USA was Harry Hall a clubmaker from Carnoustie who was living in New York. Peter was appointed to West Orange Country Club and then to Essex Fells Country Club, both in New Jersey. In May 1922, Peter played in the New Jersey State Open and again the following year at Englewood. In July 1923 he entered the Metropolitan Open won by Bob Macdonald who left North Berwick in 1910.

Peter Purves married Elizabeth 'Bessie' Denholm from Whittingham who was living at 46 High Street, North Berwick. She joined him in America in 1921 and they lived at 60 Pillott Place, West Orange, New Jersey where their son George and daughter Helen were born. In 1924 they moved to Kirkside Estate in Roxbury, New York as private instructor to Helen Gould Shephard, daughter of the railroad magnate Jay Gould. The land is now owned by Shephard Golf Club. In 1926 he was pro at Pakatakan Country Club, Arkville, NY and three years later was appointed to the nine-hole course at Windham Country Club, two-and-a-half hours drive from New York. At this time his older brother James Divine Purves was professional at Garden City on Long Island. Probably at Salisbury Country Club, which in the 1920s came to be known as the 'Sports Center of America' and featured five courses all within the confines of today's Eisenhower Park.

Peter Purves died at Windham on 26th May 1930, aged 46 years following an operation at Kingston City Hospital. Peter as a war veteran was given a military funeral. His wife returned to live in Roxbury and in June 1931 she placed and advert in the Catskill Mountain News - 'Housekeeper with two children wishes situation. Good house preferred to big wages.' By 1936 Bessie and her children were living in the picturesque village of Walton in Delaware County, New York.

JAMES PURVES (1877-)     Carnoustie Golf Club, UK

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James Divine Purves born 1877 at 2, Forth Street, North Berwick son of Robert Purves, a joiner to trade and his wife Marion Divine. In 1891 aged 14 years, Jim left the Public School and began a five year apprenticeship as a golf club maker with James H. Hutchison in his workshop beside the first tee on the West Links, North Berwick. In 1910, Jim Purves and his wife Emily Bradley moved to Monifieth near Carnoustie and was employed as a golf club maker. The following year he moved to 27, Queens Street, Carnoustie where the legendary club maker remained until 1929.

Jim and his 21 year old son Robert Purves who was also a club maker at Carnoustie emigrated to America in 1929. Sailing from Glasgow on the S.S.Cameronia they arrived in New York on 27th April. His contact in America was Jack Fox the golf professional at Equinox Golf Club, Manchester, Vermont. The following year Jim's wife Emily and children Emily Clarke Purves, Marion Divine Purves and James Purves, arrived in America. In 1930 they were living at 16 Centre Street, Hampstead, Long Island NY.

WILLIAM PURVIS    West Links, North Berwick. UK

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William Purvis born 27th December 1861 at Wedderburn Farm, Duns, Berwickshire, illegitimate son of Jane Purvis. William was raised as the stepson of James Colvin, a master shoemaker and his wife Christian Colvin. In 1880 William Purvis and his family moved to Inveresk, East Lothian where James Colvin continued his work as a shoemaker on Market Street, Musselburgh and William Purvis worked as a golf caddie on Musselburgh links. As the links at Musselburgh became over crowded the golfers began to migrate down the coast and the clubmakers and caddie’s followed. William Purvis found lodging at 15 Melbourne Place, North Berwick and worked as a freelance caddie on the West Links before being offered the position of a licensed golf professional on 19th April 1897. His parents resided at 41 Westgate, North Berwick.

CHARLES RAMAGE    Brighton and Hove Golf Club, East Sussex

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Charles Ramage born 2nd September 1856 in North Berwick, son of William Ramage, quarryman and his wife Ann Greig. Charles was a plasterer to trade and during the season he was a licensed caddie on the West Links. He resided with his mother, step-brother Andrew Denholm and Charles Gibson at 42 Westgate, (now No.47) North Berwick. Charles Gibson, a 22-year-old golf clubmaker from Musselburgh was employed by Tom Dunn in his workshop beside the first tee on the West Links, North Berwick. Charles Ramage's sister Helen born 5th June 1853 married Charles Gibson in the Abbey Church, North Berwick on 30th December 1881 and they set up home at 27 Westgate, North Berwick before moving to Devon in 1889.

Charles 'Chas' Ramage's neighbour at 41 Westgate was Tom Arundel, a clubmaker who was the first player to enter the Open Championship from North Berwick in 1879. The adjacent property was occupied by Ben Sayers and his family for a short period.

Charles Ramage married Bessie Scotland from Kinross in 1884 and they resided at 23 Quality Street, North Berwick. In 1886 Charles Ramage worked as a clubmaker with Tom Dunn and was a fine 'bulger' maker (a driving club with a convex face). In 1888 he was the first professional and clubmaker to be appointed to the newly opened nine-hole-course at Brighton & Hove Golf Club. In 1891 the members organised a professional tournament played for £10. The field included Charles Ramage, Douglas Rolland, Peter Paxton (winner), Tom Dunn, Charles Gibson, George Douglas, David Pinkerton, Alex. Alexander, Ramsay Hunter, Rowland Jones. During this period Charles and Bessie resided in Cowpie Road, before they moved to 49 Fonthill Road, Hove, Sussex.

In 1891 Charles was joined at Brighton by his step-brother Andrew Denholm as his assistant. The course commanded stunning views over the Sussex Downs and was served by the Brighton & Dyke Railway. Andrew Denholm born 23 September 1861, in Edinburgh son of George Denholm, gardener and his wife Ann Ramage. Andrew Denholm was an original member of the PGA and played in the Open Championship in 1900 and 1904. Charles Ramage died suddenly in 1893 aged 36 years and Andrew Denholm took over as professional and clubmaker at Brighton & Hove. In 1908, Andrew Denholm played in an exhibition match with James Braid who redesigned the nine-hole course. Andrew Denholm and James Braid beat J.H. Taylor and Charles Parsons. Denholm remained with the club until 1924.

HARRY REDDIE    Misquamicut Golf Club, Rhode Island, USA

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Henry Govan Reddie born 7th June 1878 in the Wall Tower, The Lodge North Berwick, son of David Reddie, railway porter and his wife Georgina Thomson. They lived in the staff quarters in the Wall Tower which was the residence of Sir Walter Hamilton-Dalrymple, 8th Baronet of North Berwick. Harry and his brother George Reddie were golf caddies on the West Links, North Berwick in 1891 and Harry gained his professional ticket on 7th June 1895. Harry was also a school friend of Willie Anderson and also a member of the artisan Bass Rock Golf Club. He was selected to play in the first inter-club match between Bass Rock and Dirleton Castle over the links at Gullane. Harry Reddie was a graduate of Edinburgh College before he emigrated to America, sailing from Glasgow on SS Ethiopia he arrived in New York on 6th March 1897.

Harry was accompanied on the journey by Willie Anderson who was returning after the winter to his position as pro at Misquamicut Golf Club, Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Harry Reddie played in a pro tournament at Ocean County Hunt and Country Club, Lakewood, NJ on New Years Day 1898. Reddie was representing St Andrews Golf Club, Yonkers, NY. According to the New York Times the field also included North Berwick pros, Harry Gullane, Robert M. Thomson, Jack Litster, Willie Anderson, Jamie Campbell and Tom Harley from Aberlady. The Fitzjohn brothers from Muirfield and also pros at North Berwick played-off for the first prize.

In 1899 Harry was approached by E.P. Harrison of Cincinnati Golf Club who persuaded him to come to Cincinnati as the Golf Club and Ball Maker. The nine-hole course was located on East Walnut Hill, off Grandin Road and Harry resided at 2012 Freeland Avenue, Cincinnati. Reddie held the professional course record 76 and played in an exhibition match on the day he officially took charge of the links. He was described in the Cincinnati Enquirer as being nervous in front of such a large gallery and having never played the course, but he settled into the game. Reddie moved to New Jersey and was employed as a club maker in a golf club factory in Belleville where he resided on N. Cortlandt Street, Belleville, Essex County.

When Anderson moved to Baltusrol, Reddie replaced him at Watch Hill and when the new 18 hole course at Misquamicut was opened on 4th July 1898, Harry Reddie set a new course record 70. He used the caddie shack beside the clubhouse as his club makers workshop. Harry wintered with Willie Anderson at St Augustine Golf Club, Florida and played in the Palm Beach Open in 1901.

In 1907, Reddie was employed by the K-Manufacturing Co. Belleville Street, Harrison, Kearny, NJ.`In 1910 he was employed as a club maker by Harry C. Lee & Co. a sporting goods company working from 97 Chambers Street, New York. Reddie was appointed foreman when the company moved to 10 Warren Street, Manhattan. In the 1940 US Census Harry Reddie, his New York born wife Madeline and son Henry where residing at 611 East 136 Street, Bronx, NYC where Harry died in March 1941.

JOHN RICHARDSON (1891-1968)    Upper Montclair Golf Club, New Jersey, USA

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John Butler Richardson, born 31st December 1891 at Gretna, Dumfriesshire, brother of Harry and James Richardson (listed below), sons of John Richardson, gardener and his wife Isabella Davidson. The family moved to 19 Victoria Road, North Berwick and their father joined Bass Rock Golf Club, winning the Tait Medal at the Autumn Meeting in 1903. That year John and Harry were licensed caddies on the West Links. John married Adeline Spalding from Edinburgh and they resided at 8 Clifford Road, North Berwick with their son John. John Richardson was a club maker with Ben Sayers & Son for sixteen years and at a golf club exhibition at Weybridge during the 1920 Open Championship, Richardson took nine prizes out of a possible twelve for his club making. John and his family emigrated to the USA in 1922 when he was appointed assistant pro to William Braid from St Andrews at Upper Montclair Golf Club (NJ).

In 1923, John Richardson played in the Metropolitan Open at Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit. NJ. won that year by Bob MacDonald from Dornoch who worked in North Berwick before emigrating to America. In 1926 John was recruited as golf instructor at Essex Fells G.C, NJ, where his daughter Rachel 'Rae' Richardson was born at 23 Westville Avenue, Caldwell NJ. In 1935 Adeline was listed as a Practical Nurse residing with her son John, daughter Rae and mother Rachel Spalding at 4th Avenue North, St Petersburg, Pinellas, Florida. John Richardson died in October 1968 in Trenton City, New Jersey.

JAMES RICHARDSON

James Richardson born 30th April 1896, at 2, Market Place, North Berwick, emigrated to America with tickets paid for by his employer Ben Sayers. He sailed on the S.S. Celtic from Liverpool and arrived in New York on 9th February 1921. Jimmy was assistant to George Sayers, head professional and club maker at Merion Cricket Club Philadelphia. Jimmy Richardson resided with his wife Florence and daughters Mary and Alice at 48, Abington Street, Philadelphia. In 1924-28 Richardson moved to Sunnybrook C.C Flourtown PA. Sunnybrook was laid out in 1914 by founder member Frederick W. Taylor and the construction work was supervised by Samuel Y Heebner. Taylor described as the "Father of Scientific Management." was the driving force behind the formation of the course at Flourtown and persuaded James Richardson to become their professional to the one hundred and twenty-five members. In 1926 he returned to Scotland with Jim Souter (listed below) and they sailed back to the USA in February 1927. In 1935 Jimmy was listed as assistant golf professional at Lower Merion, Montgomery Country. James Richardson died 27th November 1970 in San Diego, California.

ALEXANDER ROBERTSON    Sydney, Australia

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Alexander Borthwick Robertson born 10 November 1882, North Lodge, Stevenson House, Haddington son of Thomas Robertson, a gardener and his wife Margaret Borthwick. Alex moved with his parents, two sisters and three brothers to North Berwick in 1887 and the family resided in Fordell Cottage, 25, St Andrew Street. Alex trained as a greenkeeper on the West Links under the supervision of head greenkeeper Alex Wright.

Alex sailed to Australia on the S.S.Hunter from Leith via Durban then to Sydney. He worked his passage as a 'steward' and was discharged in Sydney in June 1907, aged 25 years. He worked as a greenkeeper at Marrickville Golf Club, North Ryde for six months until July 1908. The family suggest he also worked as a sparring partner for Tommy Burns in the lead up to the Burns /Johnston heavyweight title fight in Sydney on 26th December 1908.

Alex married Australian girl Josephine Blackman in Whitefield Congregational Church, Sydney on 3rd September 1908. They returned to Scotland and on the night of the UK Census on 2nd April 1911 they were recorded as residing in Fordell Cottage where Alex's parents Thomas and Maggie lived until 1925. Nine days later Alex travelled to Southampton and boarded the S.S.Majestic which arrived in New York on 26th April 1911. The passenger manifest listed his contact details as Mrs. William Goodall, caretaker, Queen City Bowling and Curling Club, 80-94 Hayden Street, Toronto. In 1911 Alex Robertson described as a Golf Green Contractor resided in the Toronto Township in Peel County, Ontario. Josephine followed on the S.S. Scotian (1st class), Canadian Pacific Line and arrived in Port Hurow, Michigan on 27 September 1911. Listed as her contact in Detroit was Archie Simpson from Earlsferry in Scotland, the golf professional at the Country Club of Detroit. When Josephine arrived she resided in Hotel Pontchartrain, Groose Pointe, Detroit.

Alex was employed by Patterson Wylde & Co. of Boston a golf course construction business. The new course in Toronto was laid out on the banks of Etobicoke Creek, eleven miles west of the city and was ready for play in September 1912. Alex worked with the same company on a new course at the Country Club of Detroit before he sailed to Australia. Alex, Josephine and their two boys returned to Scotland and was appointed professional and greenkeeper at Ardrossan and Saltcoats Golf Club in 1923 -1926). Following World War Two the course was reduced to nine-holes and eventually closed.

Alex returned to Australia permanently and worked as a greenkeeper in Sydney at Moore Park. In 1928 he was employed as foreman greenkeeper at the newly laid out course at The Lakes Golf Club. Alex and his family resided at 164 Gardeners Road, Rosebery close to the golf course in Eastlakes, NSW. Josephine died 28 August 1946 at 28, Bestic Street, Rockdale and is buried in Woronora Cemetery. Alex followed her to the grave eight years later in 1954.

BUD RUSSELL (1908-1997)    Barwon Heads Golf Club, Victoria, AUS

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William James Russell, born 2nd September 1908 at 3 Hopetoun Place, (Maule Terrace) Gullane, son of Alexander Russell the starter at Gullane No.1 course, and his wife Agnes Vert. W. J. 'Bud' Russell was educated at North Berwick High School and trained as a club maker with Jack White in his two storey workshop 'Hopetoun Golf Works' in Goose Green Mews, Gullane. Jack White won the Open Championship in 1904 and returned to Gullane in 1927 after being pro at Sunningdale for twenty five years. White also had a successful golf equipment shop at 2 Rosebery Place, Gullane.

Bud Russell had a brother and two sisters and lived with his parents at 39 Middleshot Road, Gullane. Bud was a member of Dirleton Castle Golf Club and playing off a handicap of two, won the Haldane Cup 1922 and Austin Trophy in 1930. At school his nickname was 'Boy' and, when he started his apprenticeship with Jack White, it was Mrs White who suggested that young Russell had outgrown his nickname and should be called 'Bud'.

In June 1930, Bud Russell answered an advertisement in the Journal of the Professional Golfers' Association, which read: Professional required for Barwon Heads Golf Club, Geelong, Victoria, Australia. Scotsman preferred, £150 per annum, house workshop rent free, passage paid to £40. Two years engagement, extending if suitable, if terminated within twelve months passage money to be repaid. Main qualification coach of outstanding ability, age limit 35.

The advert attracted dozens of applications from England, Scotland, France, Sweden and India, The club secretary at Barwon Heads, Harry Hay enlisted the help of Stanley Melbourne Bruce, who was in London with his family's importing business after completing seven years as Prime Minister of Australia. Bruce asked James Braid's advice also Major Campbell the writer of golf notes for The Times and Messrs W. Trumble secretary to Australia House and Parke W. Pope the Sydney golfer and they selected Mr Russell from a large number of applicants. He will succeed Mr H. Spicer the former Victorian champion who held the position at Barwon Heads for six years.

On 27th July, Russell was brought to London for an interview and the following day Stanley Bruce (Later Viscount Bruce) cabled Hay with the news: Have selected Professional-Scotch-single-twenty-two. Hay wired approval, cabled £40 passage money and 'Desire early departure'. Bud sailed on 5th September on the Royal Mail steamer Mongolia, arriving at Port Melbourne on 13 October 1930 with 25 shillings in his pocket and he retired a millionaire.

Barwon Heads is a popular seaside resort on the Southern Ocean and Russell set about increasing the turnover of the pro shop with shrewd merchandising. He took a huge risk ordering £1,000 worth of Scottish knitwear and according to George Gibson, the manager of the George Nicoll foundry at Leven, Fife, in Scotland, Bud's orders of 1,000 heads at a time was unique. Large crates of Nicoll and Brodie Graves clubs came to Barwon Heads for resale to other professionals as well as to his own customers. Barwon Heads Golf Club is listed among the Top 25 courses in Australia, situated on the Bellarine Peninsula, one hour drive from Melbourne, it was described as one of the most elite beach side locations to be frequented by the Melbourne crowd.

In 1937, Bud lived with his wife Edith Rita May Russell at 31 Glenleith Avenue, Geelong West, Victoria and that year he returned to Scotland to played in the Open Championship at Carnoustie. He returned to Australia via America where he met up with his school friend Jimmy Thomson pro at Los Angeles GC. Bud served his apprenticeship as a club maker with Jimmy Thomson's uncle in Gullane. The last time they were together was in 1934 when Jimmy won the Melbourne Centenary Championship.

On his return from the six-month trip to Scotland, England and the USA in 1937 'Bud' was interviewed by Sporting Globe (Melbourne) on the improvements in golf and club-making in Scotland since he left seven years ago. " Russell said that wooden heads were more compact and more shallow faced than they were. Grips are on the thick side. For the four normal woods carried, the length of shaft is in each case the same, normally 42in. A rather remarkable fact is that for the driver the shafts are stiffer than for any of the other woods, and they get whippier as you work down to No.1 wood. Iron heads are heavier more shallow and more compact than formerly. Hickory has passed forever, and the sheathered steel shaft has almost completely replaced the chromium. The general tendency in head-construction seems to be getting back to about 1920.

Visiting the Ben Sayers factory at North Berwick Russell discovered intricate machinery not only for construction work, but for the detection of a hook, slice, loft, spring, swinging balance etc. He saw none that were in advance of those in Australia.

Teaching methods have, he considered improved vastly and now professionals study the art of educating rather than giving facts to pupils. One trend in dealing with more accomplished pupils is the development of the wrist flick that is so pronounced in Henry Cotton's shot-making when he goes out for length. Russell is convinced that in the detail and generally in the act of developing ability in play for pupils, he has learnt much.

One of the most conspicuous details in the play of the leading pros, particularly the American ones is their depending on judgment rather than on the range of the club for their shot. The traditional 'half-shot' is coming back strongly, and rarely does a first-class player from the fairway go all out now. It is the practice for instance to use a No.3 or 4 iron for a shot that a year or so ago would be tackled with No.1

There is much talk in Britain about the likelihood of the introduction next year of the American slightly larger ball as the standard one. Russell likes this ball and considers that if it is introduced it will prove popular. No club impressed him more than the famous Hillcrest Country Club at Hollywood. With two great courses it is a wonderful place and the centre of social and sporting life."

Bud served in the RAAF in the South Pacific during WW2, reaching the rank of sergeant. In the 1960s he was granted permission to enter the members' clubhouse for the first time; an old fashioned rule today, but a significant gesture by the committee a decade before other Australian golf clubs. Jean Donald from North Berwick (listed below) visted Victoria in the 1960s. She was the first lady professional in Scotland and played an exhibition match at Barwon Heads. In 1966 Bud helped to re-design the course at St Leonards Golf Club, and extend it to eighteen holes. In 1977, he was conferred Honorary Life Member of Barwon Heads Golf Club and was acknowledged among the Queen's Honours with a B.E.M. in 1982 for services to golf and his community. Bud retired after 57 years with the club and lived in a bungalow called 'Gullane' a three wood distance from the pros shop. He died in 1997, aged 88 years, at Geelong, Victoria.

BEN SAYERS Factfile

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GEORGE SAYERS (1887-1977)    Merion Golf Club, Pennsylvania, USA

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George Thomson Sayers the youngest son of Ben Sayers Snr. was born 19th October 1887 Millhill, Musselburgh, East Lothian. George worked in the family club and ball making business at North Berwick and taught the game to the rich and famous including Lord Kitchener of Khartoun and former Prime Minister Herbert Asquith in September 1910. George was the professional at Beverley and East Riding Golf Club in Yorkshire for a month in 1891. J. Gould-Smith secretary of East Riding Golf Club owned property at 19 Forth Street, North Berwick and leased an apartment in The Lodge, Quality Street. In 1897 George Sayers was involved in laying out the new eighteen hole course at Lanark Golf Club. He suggested the sites for the greens which were incorporated in the plans laid out by Tom Morris. In 1909 Ben Sayers devised a new course and was paid £ 3 for his labours. In April 1904, George Sayers was presented with a silver watch from the Marquis of Linlithgow, as a gift from Lady Linlithgow, Lord Charles Hope, Captain Corbett and others as a memento of his stay at Hopetoun where George acted as tutor to Lord Charles and his guests. In 1896, George Sayers resided in the stable courtyard at 14 Quality Street, North Berwick and married Agnes Brodie in 1912.

During this period Frances Griscom, US Woman's Amateur Champion and a member of Merion Cricket Club, Pennsylvania visited North Berwick and was tutored by Ben Sayers Snr. throughout the summer of 1902. She visited North Berwick again in 1906 and 1911 this time with her brother Rodman Griscom who invited George Sayers to take up the position of head pro at Merion Cricket Club.

George and his wife Agnes sailed from Liverpool to New York on the S.S. Baltic and arrived on 10th May 1913. Rodman Griscom of stockbrokers Berton, Griscom & Co. 40 Wall Street, New York was George Sayers contact when he arrived in America.

The connection between Merion Cricket Club and North Berwick goes back to 1897 when Robert Thomson from North Berwick was appointed head pro at the nine-hole course in the town of Haverford. In 1903 Jack Millar from Musselburgh was appointed club maker. In 1905 Robert was followed at Merion by his brother James R. Thomson and in 1910 the club moved to new ground in the district of Ardmore where Thomson assisted in laying out the new course. In 1910, twenty-four year-old Tom Bonnar (1886-1966) from Musselburgh was appointed assistant professional. Two years later he was the first professional at Sunnybrook (NY), then at Mecklenburg (NC) and Bedford (NY) before joining Elimira Country Club in 1920.

George Sayers and his family lived at 321 Walnut Street, in the historic district of Philadelphia. He was followed by a long line of club makers sent out from Ben Sayers & Son who passed through Merion. The first to arrive was 19-year-old James Kelly Thomson from North Berwick who took up the position of assistant pro, (he was later pro at Mohawk G.C. NY). Thomson was followed in 1914 by James Gullane (later Colorado Springs). Jimmy Richardson (Sunnybrook G.C. PA) was the first to arrive at Merion after WW2. His brother John Richardson was also a club maker with Ben Sayers & Son for sixteen years. At a golf club exhibition at Weybridge during the 1920 Open Championship, Jimmy Richardson took nine prizes out of a possible twelve for his club making. A favourite of the Sayers family, Jimmy Richardson was the only apprentice to have his passage paid for by Ben Sayers. He was followed in 1929 by another Sayers apprentice George Izett who remained at Merion until 1932. He started the Izett Custom Golf Club Company which is still in business on Haverford Road, Ardmore PA.

George Sayers was head pro at Merion throughout a remarkable period in the club's history, when Merion hosted eighteen USGA championships more than any other club in America, which included four US Opens. In 1922, George Sayers finished tied for fourth place in the Philadelphia Professional Golfers Association championship.

The legendary Bobby Jones played many of his famous matches at Merion. At the age of 14 years he played in his first national championship at Merion in the 1916 US Amateur Championship. In 1930, Jones won the final leg of what is still the only true Grand Slam ever achieved in the game at Merion. In 1950 George welcomed Ben Hogan to Merion when he won the US Open, just a year after he was almost killed in a car crash.

In an article in the Los Angeles Herald in June 1920, Lady Astor cabled George Sayers of Philadelphia inviting him to come to England to coach her at golf. The American born peeress entered for the Parliamentary golf competition at Sandwich and wanted to finish among the best six. With lessons from Sayers she believed she could win. He replied that he was unable to make the journey.

To complete the North Berwick connection George Sayers gave lessons to Dorothy Campbell at Merion, they grew up together on the West Links at North Berwick. Throughout the month of November 1923 she haunted the Merion practice tee and underwent a painful golfing metamorphosis. After two days a joint of her left hand's index finger was reduced to a raw wound by constant friction with fingers of her right hand due to the Vardon or overlapping grip. Which she was using for the first time. At 41, Campbell entered the 1924 US Women's Amateur hosted by Rhode Island Country Club when she defeated Mary Browne the American tennis champion by 7 and 6.

George Sayers became an American citizen at the District Court in Philadelphia on 22nd November 1922. George returned to Scotland to arrange his father's funeral in 1924. In April he sailed back to America with his mother Catherine and they shared the journey with Tom Bonnar from Musselburgh, the previous Merion professional who was returning to Elimira Country Club, Cheming, (NY).

George Sayers resigned from Merion after 32 years and on 3rd January 1946 the Philadelphia Record suggested he resigned as a result of 'snipping' by members who considered George as 'out moded'. Sayers received a number of very attractive offers but began making golf clubs exclusively at his business located in Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA. The heads were forged in Ben Sayers factory in North Berwick and shipped to Pennsylvania. George Sayers made customized clubs for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, comedian Jackie Gleason, Reverend Billy Graham and Amelia Earhart the famous pilot. George Sayers died in January 1977 at 19468 Royersford, Montgomery, PA.

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