William Davis (golfer)

William "Willie" Davis
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Frederick Davis
Born1861
Scotland
Died8 January 1902(1902-01-08) (aged 40–41)
Rye, New York, US
SpouseMary McKinnon
Children3
Career
Turned professional1885
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. Open5th: 1895
The Open ChampionshipDNP

William Frederick Davis (1861–1902)[1] was a Scottish professional golfer who designed two of the five charter clubs of the United States Golf Association (USGA)[2] including Shinnecock Hills Golf Club and Newport Country Club. At the time of his death in 1902, Davis was credited as being the first individual to have come to America to make a professional living as a golfer.[3][4] He was also remembered as leading the movement to establish a championship tournament for professionals.[5][6]

  1. ^ "Twelfth Census of the United States", United States census, 1900; Rye Township, New York; page 53, line 33. Retrieved on March 5, 2022.
  2. ^ David Shefter (November 30, 2014). "Celebrating 120 Years of the USGA (Part 1): 1894-1924". USGA. Retrieved March 8, 2022.
  3. ^ "A Pioneer Golfer's Death". The Sun. New York, New York. January 10, 1902.
  4. ^ "Golf, Willie Weir and His Early Contemporaries". The Sun. New York, New York. November 14, 1910.
  5. ^ "An MGA Open Tourney? Committeemen and Apawamis Willing but Funds are Short". The Sun. New York. March 25, 1901.
  6. ^ "Golf, Metropolitan Association to Hold Annual Meeting Tonight - Professionals Petition Abandoned". New-York Daily Tribune. January 31, 1902.