George Fotheringham Explained

George L. Fotheringham
Fullname:George Lyall Fotheringham
Birth Date:1883 7, df=yes
Birth Place:Carnoustie, Scotland
Death Place:West Long Branch, New Jersey
Nationality:
Spouse:Jean W. Fotheringham
Children:1
Status:Professional
Prowins:5
Masters:DNP
Usopen:T29: 1919
Open:13th: 1912
Pga:T9: 1919
Award1:South African Golf
Hall of Fame
Year1:1971

George Lyall Fotheringham (9 July 1883 – 8 April 1971) was a Scottish-American professional golfer who played in the early 20th century. He won the South African Open five times and was a founding member of the PGA of America.[1]

Early life

Fotheringham was born in Carnoustie, Scotland, on 9 July 1883. As a boy he caddied and apprenticed as a club maker.

Golf career

In 1903 he moved to Durban, Colony of Natal and took up a position as professional at the Royal Durban Golf Club and remained there until 1914. He won the South African Open five times, in 1908, 1910, 1911, 1912 and 1914. He finished tied for 13th place in the 1912 Open Championship held at Muirfield.[2] In 1914 he was posted as professional at the Williamsport Country Club in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.[3]

Founding member of PGA of America

He was one of the founding members of the PGA of America and played in the first two PGA Championship tournaments, in 1916 and 1919. The tournament was not held during the war years of 1917 and 1918.

PGA Championship

Fotheringham played in the first two PGA Championship tournaments, held in 1916 and 1919. He lost his match in 1916 to Jim Barnes 8 and 7 but defeated Eddie Loos 8 and 6 in 1919 and finished the event tied for ninth place. He finished second in both the 1920 Philadelphia Open and the 1924 New Jersey Open.

Death and legacy

He died in West Long Branch, New Jersey, on 8 April 1971. Fotheringham is best known for being a founding member of the PGA of America and for winning the South African Open five times.

Tournament wins (5)

Note: This list may be incomplete.

Source:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Trenham . Peter C. . A Chronicle of the Philadelphia Section PGA and Golf in the Philadelphia Area . TrenhamGolfHistory.org . 22 November 2015.
  2. Web site: 52nd Open – Muirfield 1912 . The Open . 23 November 2015.
  3. Web site: Trenham . Peter C. . A Chronicle of the Philadelphia Section PGA and its Members – The Southeastern Section of the PGA 1916-1921 . TrenhamGolfHistory.org . 12 March 2016 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313035955/http://philadelphia.pga.com/gui/philly9/filedownload/1916-1921%20PGA%20%26%20SE%20Section.pdf . 13 March 2016 .