George Strath

George Strath (1 October 1843 – 21 January 1919)^[1][2] was a Scottish professional golfer and golf course designer of the late 19th century and early 20th century. He was born in St Andrews, Fifeshire, Scotland. As a young lad he worked as a caddie, carrying the clubs of Old Tom Morris at St Andrews.^[3]

Strath placed 14th in the 1878 Open Championship at Prestwick. He served as the first professional at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland from 1881–87. In June 1883, Strath increased the links at Troon to twelve holes. A further six holes were completed by 1885.^[4]

Strath's brother—Davie Strath—was also a fine golfer with seven top-10 finishes in the Open Championship. His other brother, Andrew Strath, won the 1865 Open Championship. George was the youngest of the four Strath brothers, one of which was not a professional golfer.^[5]

Royal Troon Golf Club, Troon, Scotland

Early years

His first professional post was at the Glasgow Golf Club^[2] where he was well known for the great condition of his golf course, especially the wonderful putting surfaces.^[1] He moved to the north of England to become professional at Southport Old Links from 1888–92. He later served at North Manchester in 1894–95. Strath assisted in the design of Ilkley Golf Club (pictured left) which is the oldest club in West Riding and the third oldest in Yorkshire. A 9-hole course was established on Rombald's Moor at the request of Ben Hirst and Alfred Potter in June 1890. The location for the original 9-hole course was planned with assistance from Strath, who after leaving Royal Troon was the club professional at Southport Old Links. After leaving Southport he then took a job as professional at Stinchcombe in Gloucestershire from 1893–94.^[6][2]

He was an excellent club maker, making beautiful long-nosed woods.^[2] When Strath left Troon in 1887, Willie Fernie took over as professional and served the club for 37 years. Fernie was also from a St Andrews family and won the Open Championship in 1883.

Green keepers and their equipment at Ilkley Golf Club. Tom Vardon stands second from left, c. 1900.

1878 Open Championship

Strath placed 14th in the 1878 Open Championship at Prestwick and was one of the first Scottish professionals to emigrate to the United States to Brooklyn, New York.^[7]

Emigration to the U.S.

Prior to leaving Scotland, his wife had been ill and doctors recommended a change of climate for her recovery. Strath never made it a priority to be a tournament golfer, but rather he preferred the business side of the game by being a greens keeper and instructor, having no superiors in either of those categories.^[1]

In 1895 he emigrated to the United States and laid out the links at Dyker Meadow Club in Brooklyn. He left Dyker Meadow and took a post at Shelter Island in 1897. He later worked for a short time at Wee Burn Club in Darien, Connecticut in 1901. While at Wee Burn he instructed such champions as Charles H. Seely,^[8] 3-time champion of Connecticut from 1901–3, and twice winner of the Metropolitan Amateur championship in 1905 and 1908. In 1909 Strath was appointed as president of the Eastern Professional Golfer's Association.^[9]

Strath was also golf instructor to Genevieve Hecker, who was the U.S. Women's Amateur national champion in 1901 and 1902. After his stint at Wee Burn, he spent one year at the Hillandale Golf Club in Stamford, Connecticut. He left Hillandale to design the Crescent Athletic Club links in Brooklyn where his tenure was from 1901 through 1918.^[1][2]

Death

Strath died—due to heart trouble—at the age of 76 in New York City on 21 January 1919.^[1]

References