Willie Park Junior

1864 –1925

Born Musselburgh, Scotland, Park is remembered as one of the greatest golfers and course designers of the last century. His story and the story of his father, Wille, and uncle, Mungo, are an integral part of golf’s heritage.

Park was fortunate to be born the son of Willie Park Snr who was one of the most prolific golfers of his time. His father won the Open four times and had a successful ball and club making business. Park carried on in his father’s footsteps and won the Open in 1887 and 1889. His long game was sometimes poor but he had an excellent short game which more often than not compensated and brought him victory.

In 1899, he played Harry Vardon in a challenge match at North Berwick which attracted a crowd of 10,000 thus necessitating extra trains to be made available. Vardon refused to play Park at Musselburgh because of the ‘rowdy nature’ of the crowd.

Park’s enduring legacy is the collection of excellent golf courses which he designed and built around the world. He was a pioneer of parkland courses at a time when golf courses were traditionally built along the coast. Park designed approximately 170 courses in Europe, America and Canada including Sunningdale, Berkshire.

A great golfer, an outstanding designer and pioneer, Wille Park’s place in golf’s history is assured.

PLAY OFF DECIDES 1889 OPEN CHAMPION – REPORT

Musselburgh was again the venue for the 1889 Open, held on Friday 8 November. Play began at 10.30am and to avoid large numbers of players finishing their rounds in the dark, those who were far behind after three rounds were offered 5 shillings not to play in the fourth round. Weather conditions were perfect and a large number of spectators turned out to watch the favourites Willie Park Junior, Willie Fernie, Archie Simpson, Ben Sayers, Willie Campbell and Andrew Kirkaldy play.

The players had mixed fortunes in the opening rounds. Simpson scored a disappointing 89 for the first 2 rounds. His play improved in the third round and he scored 37 but had dropped too far back to make up ground. Kirkaldy began with only a few supporters following his game, but after a total of 77 in the first two rounds, crowd interest increased. The biggest spectator group followed Willie Park and his partner A.M. Ross. Park scored two 39’s and he was just one behind Kirkaldy going into the third round.

Only two other players were also in contention – Ben Sayers with 79 and the amateur player John. Laidlay, on 81. The third round saw no changes to the placings and the fourth round was eagerly anticipated. Kirkaldy played a steady round, scoring 39, meaning his total aggregate was a low 155. Willie Park played an excellent final five holes and came from 2 shots behind at the 4th to threaten to win. His ball lipped the last hole, and he finished on 155, to tie with Kirkaldy.

The playoff was held over 36 holes on the following Monday. Kirkaldy had an unsettling start, finding a bunker at the first hole, and his final putt lay on the edge of the hole for 30 seconds before dropping in. Park went ahead, and the two played evenly. Kirkaldy went ahead during the second round, but Park recovered well to go three strokes in front by the end of the third round.

A crowd of about 1,000 followed the action and officials found it difficult to keep the green clear. Park played a magnificent final round and finished ahead of Kirkaldy by 5 strokes. Both players were given an excellent reception and Park was declared the Open Champion of the year.