The Dunns

The Dunn twins, Jamie and Willie Senior were born in Musselburgh in 1821. They both took up employment with the Gourlay family as apprentice ballmakers at Bruntsfield.

They both played in many challenge matches between 1840-1860. Willie Dunn was keeper of the green at Blackheath Links until 1864 when he returned to Leith Thistle before settling at North Berwick.

Willie had two sons who were Tom and Willie Junior. Young Willie served as professional at Westward Ho! for a few months in 1886, before moving to Biarritz. It was while he was in France that the Vanderbilt family invited him to Shinnecock Hills on Long Island as greenkeeper and professional. The course was a 12 holer to which Willie added a ladies course. In 1895 the two were combined into 18 holes. Willie remained at Shinnecock for several years and won the first unofficial US Open in 1894.