Archie Compston Explained

Archie Compston
Fullname:Archibald Edward Wones Compston
Birth Date:1893
Birth Place:Wolverhampton, England
Death Date:8 August 1962 (age 69)
Death Place:London, England
Status:Professional
Prowins:10
Masters:DNP
Usopen:T7: 1927
Open:T2: 1925
Pga:DNP

Archibald Edward Wones Compston (1893 – 8 August 1962) was an English professional golfer.[1] Through the 1920s he built a reputation as a formidable match play golfer, in an era when many professionals made more money from "challenge" matches against fellow pros, or wealthy amateurs, than from tournament golf.

Compston was born in Wolverhampton.

Famously, in 1928, Compston - who had won the British PGA Matchplay Championship in 1925 and 1927 - faced Walter Hagen, who had won the American PGA Championship at match play in the previous four years, in a 72-hole challenge match, and defeated the American 18 & 17. However, when the two met again shortly afterward at The Open Championship at Royal St George's, Hagen prevailed, with Compston placing third.

In 1930, Compston nearly derailed Bobby Jones's bid for the Grand Slam at Hoylake - his third round of 68 took the lead from Jones, but inexplicably his form deserted him in the final round, and Compston shot 82 to finish down the field.

Compston played in the Ryder Cup in 1927, 1929 and 1931, defeating Gene Sarazen on one occasion.

Compston also became notable as perhaps Britain's first "celebrity" professional golfer, becoming a coach to the future Edward VIII. He was the professional at the Wentworth Club from 1945 to 1948,[2] and later at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda.[1]

Tournament wins (11)

This list may be incomplete

Results in major championships

Tournament191419151916191719181919
The Open ChampionshipT73NTNTNTNTNT
U.S. OpenNTNT
Tournament1920192119221923192419251926192719281929
The Open ChampionshipT93527T59T21T2DQT23312
U.S. OpenT7T22
Tournament1930193119321933193419351936193719381939
The Open ChampionshipT6T29T10T12T49T44CUT
U.S. Open
Tournament19401941194219431944194519461947
The Open ChampionshipNTNTNTNTNTNTT18CUT
U.S. OpenNTNTNTNT
Note: Compston only played in The Open Championship and the U.S. Open.
NT = No tournament
DQ = disqualified
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Team appearances

Notes and References

  1. Book: Alliss, Peter . Peter Alliss

    . The Who's Who of Golf . Peter Alliss . . 1983 . 0-85613-520-8 . 225 - 226.

  2. Web site: Past professionals . . 2011-02-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101201051722/http://wentworthclub.com/club/15/3016 . 1 December 2010.
  3. News: Compston wins by one hole . The Vancouver Sun. 13 April 1929 . 2011-02-10.
  4. News: Great golf at Southport . . 10 May 1930 . 2011-02-12.
  5. News: Compston beats Padgham in final . . 8 April 1935 . 2011-02-13.

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