Who's who: Alex Smith

  • Padraig Harrington
  • Laura Davies
  • Annika Sörenstam
  • José María Olazábal
  • Michelle Wie
  • Edoardo Molinari
  • Lee Trevino
  • Natalie Gulbis

Who's who: Alex Smith

  • Name:

    Alex Smith
  • Country:

    Scotland
  • Lived:

    [1874-1930]. Born on Jan 28, 1874 in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. Died on April 21, 1930 in Baltimore, Maryland (aged 56).
  • Original/Home Club:

    Carnoustie
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer and club pro.
  • Turned Pro:

    c.1890

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (2): US Open (1906, 1910)

Golf course design

After the death of his Mexico-based brother Willie Smith, Alex took over responsibility for the design of the renowned Chapultepec GC in Mexico.

Did you know?

"Alex" Smith (b.1874) and his five younger brothers, were part of a large golfing family from Barry, a small village next to Carnoustie. Alex, and younger brothers Willie (b.1876) and "Mac" (b.1890) all migrated to the USA as young men, eager to pursue the more lucrative golfing opportunities that lay "across the pond".

Alex won the US Open in 1906 and 1910, while brother Willie claimed that title in 1899. Brothers John, George, Jim and Macdonald "Mac" Smith were also excellent golfers. The youngest of the "clan", "Mac" Smith, missed out on major championship honours, but he eventually recorded many more American professional circuit wins than his brothers.

Top tournaments won by Alex Smith

1913
America
Salisbury GC
291
$150
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Venue

Salisbury GC

Score

291

Prize money

$150

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the Metropolitan Open (Aug 13/14). Second-placed Tom McNamara (USA) finished 1 shot behind Alex Smith (Scot), who recorded the last of his four wins in this event. [Salisbury GC, Westbury, Long Island, NY. Although Salisbury GC no longer exists, the Championship course is largely preserved as the Red course, Eisenhower Park GC].

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Score

298

Prize money

$300

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (16th) (June 17-20). Alex Smith (Scot) beat Johnny McDermott (USA) and Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot) in an 18-hole playoff (A. Smith 71, McDermott 75, M. Smith 77). Alex and Macdonald were brothers, originally from Carnoustie, Scotland. [St Martin's course, Philadelphia Cricket Club, Philadelphia, PA. Original 18-hole course now reduced to 9-holes].

1910
America
Deal G&CC, NJ
301
$150
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Venue

Deal G&CC, NJ

Score

301

Prize money

$150

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the Metropolitan Open (Aug 25/26). Second-placed Johnny McDermott (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Alex Smith (Scot/USA). [Deal G&CC, Deal, New Jersey].

1909
America
306
$150
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Venue

Wykagyl

Score

306

Prize money

$150

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the Metropolitan Open (Sept 16/17). Second-placed Gilbert Nicholls (Eng/USA) finished 2 shots behind Wykagyl's home professional Alex Smith (Scot/USA). [Wykagyl CC, New Rochelle, New York].

1906
America
Flossmoor CC
306
$150
WGA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Venue

Flossmoor CC

Score

306

Prize money

$150

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (June 21/22). Second-placed Jack Hobens (Scot/USA) finished 3 shots behind Alex Smith (Scot/USA). [Homewood CC, Flossmoor, IL. Now called Flossmoor CC].

1906
Majors
Onwentsia
295
$300
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Venue

Onwentsia

Score

295

Prize money

$300

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (12th) (June 28/29). Second-placed Willie Smith (Scot) finished 7 shots behind his older brother Alex Smith (Scot). [Onwentsia Club, Lake Forest, Illinois].

1905
America
Fox Hills GC, NY
300
$150
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Venue

Fox Hills GC, NY

Score

300

Prize money

$150

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the inaugural Metropolitan Open (Sept 14-16). Alex Smith (Scot/USA) beat Willie Anderson (Scot) in an 18-hole Saturday playoff (Smith 74, Anderson 76). [Fox Hills GC, Clifton, Staten Island, NYC; club and course closed in 1935]. Note: organised by the Metropolitan Golf Association (MGA), the "Met Open" was considered a "major" championship in its early years. It is the USA's third oldest "Open" championship, behind the US Open (1895) and Western Open (1899). The MGA covered New York City and surrounding districts including northern New Jersey and southwestern Connecticut.

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Smith, Alex

Score

318

Prize money

$150

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (July 16/17). Second-placed Laurie Auchterlonie (Scot) and David Brown (Scot) finished 2 shots behind wire-to-wire winner Alex Smith (Scot). [Milwaukee CC, River Hills, nr Milwaukee, Wisconsin].

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Tournaments

Women’s (British) Open: the last women’s major championship of the season is hosted by Royal Porthcawl GC. It’s the first time this fabulous seaside links course has hosted the event (July 31-Aug 3).

Walker Cup: the 50th playing of this prestigious men’s amateur event sees the GB&I go head-to-head against the defending USA team at Cypress Point Club, California (Sept 6-7). After that, all eyes turn to Bethpage State Park on Long Island, NY, where the American and defending European professional teams engage in the 45th Ryder Cup (Sept 27-29).

Who's Who

Lottie Woad: 21-year-old Woad burst onto the professional scene in July, with wins in the Women’s Irish Open (as an amateur) and three weeks later in the Women’s Scottish Open (as a professional). She nearly picked-up a major championship, placing third in The Evian in the same month.

Pádraig Harrington: the ever-likeable Irishman added the (British) Senior Open Championship title to his stellar array of tournament successes. His win came on Sunningdale’s spectacular Old Course. Harrington had already bagged the U.S. Senior Open title in June this year.

The Dutch GC, The Netherlands

The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.

Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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