Willie Fernie (golfer) explained

Willie Fernie
Fullname:William Fernie
Birth Date:1855 5, df=yes
Birth Place:St Andrews, Scotland
Death Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Status:Professional
Majorwins:1
Usopen:DNP
Open:Won: 1883

William Fernie (7 May 1855 – 24 June 1924) was a Scottish professional golfer and golf course architect from St Andrews. He won the 1883 Open Championship at Musselburgh Links.[1] The tournament was scheduled to last four rounds of the nine-hole course on a Friday in November. Fernie tied with defending champion Bob Ferguson, with both men shooting 158. The following day Fernie won a playoff by a single stroke.

Early life

Fernie was born in St Andrews, Scotland, on 7 May 1855.[2]

Golf career

Fernie was runner-up in the Open Championship in 1882, 1884, 1890 and 1891. When George Strath left Royal Troon in 1887, Fernie took over as club professional and served for 37 years only retiring in January 1924, a few months before his death.[3] As a golf course designer he made alterations to the Old Course at St Andrews and Royal Troon, and designed Turnberry's Ailsa, Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club and Isle of Arran courses. He also designed Appleby Golf Club in 1903, and Dumfries and County Golf Club in 1912.

Family

Two of his sons, Tom and Harry withdrew from 1924 Open qualifying at Royal Liverpool Golf Club because of their father's illness. Tom Fernie had finished fifth in the 1923 Open at Troon.

Death and legacy

Fernie died in Glasgow, Scotland, on 24 June 1924.[4] [5] [6] He is best remembered for winning the 1883 Open Championship and finishing second four times.

Golf courses (original design)

Golf courses (renovation)

Major championships

Wins (1)

1In a 36-hole playoff, Fernie defeated Ferguson by 1 stroke.

Results timeline

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Team appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 1883 Willie Fernie . The Open . 16 October 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016164928/http://www.theopen.com/en/History/OpenChampions.aspx#player=Willie+FERNIE . 16 October 2013 . dmy-all .
  2. Web site: Births in the Burgh of St Andrews in the County of Fife. Statutory Births 453/01 0075 . 15 February 2015 . . subscription .
  3. News: The Times . 12 January 1924 . 10 . Retirement of W. Fernie.
  4. Web site: Deaths in the District of Hillhead in the Burgh of Glasgow. Statutory Deaths 644/12 0663 . 15 February 2015 . . subscription .
  5. News: Death of Willie Fernie – Ex-Open champion golfer – A link with the past. The Glasgow Herald . 25 June 1924 . 9 .
  6. News: The Times . 25 June 1924 . 7 . Death of Willie Fernie.
  7. Web site: Shiskine - Golf Architect 1896 .
  8. Web site: Turnberry - Links Golf Architect .

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