David Ayton Sr. Explained

David Ayton, Sr.
Birth Date:25 May 1857
Birth Place:St Andrews, Scotland
Status:Professional
Masters:DNP
Usopen:DNP
Open:3rd: 1885
Pga:DNP

David Ayton Sr. (25 May 1857 – 30 January 1931) was a Scottish professional golfer who played in the late 19th century. He had three top-10 finishes in the Open Championship. He was the son of William Ayton, one of the eleven founders of St Andrews Golf Club in about 1843.[1] [2]

Early life

Ayton was born on 25 May 1857[3] in St Andrews, Scotland, to William Ayton, one of the eleven founders of St Andrews Golf Club circa 1843.[1] [2]

Golf career

He was at the peak of his playing form in the 1880s with his best performance, a third place, in the 1885 Open Championship held at the Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, finishing two strokes behind the winner Bob Martin. He is best remembered for an event that never took place.[4] Various sources (including his obituary in the Dundee Courier) refer to him taking 11 at the "Road hole" (the 17th) but a contemporary newspaper report gives his scores there as 6 and 7.[5] He also had top-10 finishes in the 1882 and 1888 Open Championships.[6]

Family

His sons David Jr., Laurie Sr., George and Alex were all professional golfers, as was his grandson Laurie Jr.

Death and legacy

Ayton died in St Andrews, Scotland, on 30 January 1931.[7] He is best remembered for a fine third place finish in the 1885 Open Championship and for reputedly taking an 11 on the Road hole (#17) on the Old Course which, in fact, never happened.

Results in The Open Championship

Note: Ayton played only in The Open Championship.WD = Withdrew
? = Competed, finish unknown
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Notes and References

  1. Web site: St. Andrews Native Josh Jamieson Signs Northwestern NLI . 31 May 2012 . 19 September 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150217120742/http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-golf/spec-rel/053112aaa.html . 17 February 2015 . dead .
  2. Web site: The 150 Years - A History of the St. Andrews Golf Club - 1843 to 1993: Chapter 6, Just A Minute 3 (1944–1993) . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140624163601/http://thestandrewsgolfclub.co.uk/150-year-history/70-chapter-6-just-a-minute-3-.html . June 24, 2014 .
  3. Web site: FamilySearch.org. 24 June 2023.
  4. Web site: Antique Golf Clubs from Scotland: Open Championship.
  5. News: The Golf Championship . Dundee Advertiser . 5 October 1885 . 19 September 2015 . . subscription .
  6. 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.
  7. News: Famous St Andrews golfer dead – David Ayton's great bid for "Open" recalled . Dundee Courier . 31 January 1931 . 19 September 2015 . . subscription .