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    Who's who: Willie Smith

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    Who's who: Willie Smith

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      • Name:

        Willie Smith

      • Country:

        Scotland

      • Lived:

        [1876-1916]. Born on Oct 8, 1876 in Dundee, Scotland. Died on Dec 26, 1916 in Mexico City, Mexico (aged 40).

      • Original/Home Club:

        Carnoustie

      • Occupation:

        Professional golfer and club pro; golf course designer.

      • Turned Pro:

        c.1894

      Roll of Honour

      MAJORS (1): US Open (1899)

      Golf course design

      Willie started the design of Chapultepec GC in Mexico. Following his untimely death in 1916 from pneumonia, his brother Alex finished the project.

      Did you know?

      Willie Smith (b.1876) and his five brothers, were part of a large golfing family from Barry, a small village next to Carnoustie. Willie, his older brother Alex (b.1874) and younger brother "Mac" (b.1890) all migrated to the USA as young men, eager to pursue the more lucrative golfing opportunities that lay "across the pond".

      Willie's travels eventually took him to Mexico, where he became the professional at Mexico City GC. He narrowly escaped losing his life during the prolonged Mexican Revolution, after which time he commenced the design of the now famous Chapultec GC. Before the task could be completed, Willie died of pneumonia. His brother Alex came down from the USA to finish his late brother's work.

      Willie won the US Open in 1899, while brother Alex claimed that title in 1906 and 1910. Younger brothers John, George, Jim and Macdonald "Mac" Smith were also excellent golfers. The youngest of the "clan", "Mac" Smith, missed out on major championship honours, but he eventually recorded many more American professional circuit wins than his brothers.

      Top tournaments won by Willie Smith

      Year

      Category

      Tournament

      Winner (holder)

      Venue

      Score

      Prize
      money

      Title
      sponsor

      Info

      1899
      Majors
      US Open
      Smith, Willie
      Baltimore CC
      315
      $200
      USGA

      Category

      Majors

      Winner (holder)

      Smith, Willie

      Venue

      Baltimore CC

      Score

      315

      Prize money

      $200

      Title sponsor

      USGA

      The US Open (5th) (Sept 14/15). Second-placed George Low (Scot), Val Fitzjohn and W.H. "Bertie" Way finished 11 shots behind Smith (Scot). [Roland Park course, Baltimore CC, Lutherville, Maryland. This course closed in 1962].

      1899
      America
      BMW Championship (US)
      Smith, Willie
      Glen View Club
      156
      $150
      WGA

      Category

      America

      Winner (holder)

      Smith, Willie

      Venue

      Glen View Club

      Score

      156

      Prize money

      $150

      Title sponsor

      WGA

      Played as the inaugural Western Open (Sept 6/7; 36-hole event). Following a tie for first place after 36-holes, Willie Smith (Scot) beat Laurie Auchterlonie (Scot) in an 18-hole playoff. Playoff scores: Smith 74, Auchterlonie 84. [Glen View Club, Golf, nr Chicago, IL].

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        (May 30-June 2).

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