Alexander Doleman Explained

Alexander Doleman
Fullname:Alexander Hamilton Doleman
Birth Place:Musselburgh, Scotland
Death Date:12 September 1914 (aged 78)
Death Place:Blackpool, Lancashire
Status:Amateur
Masters:DNP
Usopen:DNP
Open:T9: 1870
Pga:DNP

Alexander Hamilton Doleman (– 12 September 1914) was a Scottish amateur golfer. Doleman tied for ninth place in the 1870 Open Championship.[1] His brothers John, William, and Frank were also golfers.

Early life

Doleman was born circa 1836 in Musselburgh, Scotland.

Golf career

1870 Open Championship

The 1870 Open Championship was a golf competition held at Prestwick Golf Club, Ayrshire, Scotland. It was the 11th Open Championship and the last to be contested for the Challenge Belt. Tom Morris, Jr. won the championship by 12 shots from Bob Kirk and Davie Strath. By winning for a third successive time Morris gained permanent possession of the Challenge Belt.

The contest took place the day after the autumn meeting of the club. A notice to prospective tournament entrants read, "On Thurs the 15th Sept. the CHAMPION BELT, given by the Prestwick Golf Club, and open to all Members of Established Golf Clubs and Professionals, will be competed for".[2]

Details of play

Tommy Morris's first round of 47 (3-5-3-5-6-3-3-3-4-3-4-5) was two shots better than his previous record round in 1868. This gave him a five shot lead over Bob Kirk. After a second round 51 he held a five shot lead over Davie Strath. A final 51 extended his lead to 12 shots. His final score of 149 was 5 shots better than the previous record set in 1868.[3] There were 20 starters but only 17 returned scores.[4] Doleman's collective effort for the tournament resulted in rounds of 57-54-58=169. As an amateur, he was not eligible to receive any prize money.

Morris returned to St. Andrews by train, late on Saturday evening. A "great multitude" were there to meet him and he was carried, shoulder high, to Mr. Leslie's Golf Hotel, where his health was drunk.[5] [6]

Death and legacy

Doleman died on 12 September 1914 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, aged 78.[7]

Results in The Open Championship

Note: Doleman played only in The Open Championship."T" indicates a tie for a place

Notes and References

  1. Book: Brenner, Morgan G. . The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008 . 1 . 2009 . McFarland . 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  2. News: Prestwick Golf Club . Fife Herald . 18 August 1870 . 21 December 2014 . . subscription .
  3. Web site: Prestwick 1870 Tommy Morris Wins the Belt Outright . 2012-07-18 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120923132751/http://www.theopen.com/en/History/PreviousOpens/Prestwick/1870.aspx?eventid=1870000 . 2012-09-23 .
  4. News: Golf - Prestwick Club Autumn Meeting - Contest for the Challenge Belt . Glasgow Herald . 16 September 1870 . 11 April 2015 . . subscription .
  5. News: The Golf Championship - Welcome home to Tom Morris, Jr. . Fife Herald . 20 September 1870 . 11 April 2015 . . subscription .
  6. Web site: Young Tom Morris, Without Rivalry and Without Envy by John Moreton . British Golf Collectors’ Society . 2015-04-11.
  7. Web site: Find a will | GOV.UK.