Any Golf fans amoungst the Pals?

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As a golf enthusiast I’ve often sat down and wondered who the British Golfing Professionals were who took part in the Great War? After all we hear so much about the pro footballers and cricketers........

I was told by a collector that apparently there were around 200 British golfing pro's listed in the British Isles around the time of the Great War.......and of course when I say 'pro' I mean golf was their full occupation.

Apparently all of these men are listed in the book by Alan Jackson, 'British Golfing Professionals' which despite being published in the 1990's is a very rare and desirable book wanted by all the rich golfers the world over.

Does anyone have any knowledge of these men.........I thought it would a fantastic resource if we could start a list here........

Kind Regards,

Steve.

[ianw]

Any memorials at St Andrews or elsewhere ?

[DMcNay]

I can give you a name of a man who died in the Boer War. Freddie Tait, died at Koodoosberg Drift while serving in the Black Watch.

http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/people/famousfirst1972.html

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Interesting story about Tait. Sadly Taits highest achievement came as an amateur........the article does not suggest Pro status? I am sure you would of made Pro had he lived or decided to finish his army career in favour of golf.

I honestly didnt think about that......war memorials in club houses..........fascinating........anyone know of any to the Pro's?

As it is today, many golfing accessories before WW1 were branded with the names of the golfing Pro's. So if you've got any old clubs dating from before the war you may find that that particular pro may have his own war history.

Steve.

[bobpike]

Steve,

Here's the only one I know of,

Bob

HORN, GEORGE

Initials: G

Nationality: United Kingdom

Rank: Bombardier

Regiment: Royal Garrison Artillery

Unit Text: 124th Heavy Bty.

Age: 29

Date of Death: 09/05/1918

Service No: 75239

Additional information: Son of James and Elizabeth Horn, of "Clydesdale," New St., Weston-super-Mare; husband of Beatrice Lily Horn, of 1, Merfield Rd., Knowle, Bristol. Professional Golfer and Trainer, Knowle Golf Club.

Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead

Grave/Memorial Reference: VIII. F. 13.

Cemetery: LAPUGNOY MILITARY CEMETERY

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.........and the club is still on the go today:

http://www.knowlegolfclub.co.uk/history.htm

Do you know if their is a memorial to Horn?

Thanks Bob.

Steve.

[bobpike]

Sorry, Steve, no. I just stumbled across him browsing the register. Interested in your findings,

Bob

[Guest]

Just stumbled across this topic on the site and if anyone is interested in Golf Professionals who fought and died in the Great War I am currently undertaking a project to hopefully identify

all of them. So far I have the names of 91 who went to fight for King & Country and never returned. So if there are any others interested I would be happy to share data.

 

Hoping for a response

 

Gladhand