Bill Mehlhorn
Name:
William Earl MehlhornAlso known as:
Billy; Wild BillCountry:
USALived:
[1898-1989]. Born on Dec 2, 1898 in Elgin, Illinois. Died on April 5, 1989 in Miami, Florida (aged 90).Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer, club pro, instructor and course designer.Turned Pro:
1920Ryder Cup player (1927 ... the first edition). Multiple wins on the PGA Tour (19) in the 1920s.
The frequent wearing of cowboy hats while playing golf, earned Mehlhorn the nickname "Wild Bill". Despite his 19 PGA Tour wins and numerous top ten finishes in the "majors", a major championship title eluded him.
America
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Played as the La Gorce Open (March 20-22). Second-placed and defending champion Horton Smith (USA) finished 1 shot behind Bill Mehlhorn (USA), who recorded the last of his 19 PGA Tour wins. [La Gorce CC, Miami Beach, FL].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open (July 18-20). Second-placed Wilfred "Wiffy" Cox (USA) finished 3 shots behind Bill Mehlhorn (USA). [Lido GC, Lido Beach, NY; at the time Lido CC].
America
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Played as the Texas Open (Jan 25-27). Second-placed Horton Smith (USA) finished 4 shots behind defending champion "Wild Bill" Mehlhorn (USA), who clinched the win with a course record 66 (-5) and 67 (-4) on Sunday in the final two rounds. [Brackenridge Park GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open (Feb 5-7). Second-placed "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA) finished 1 shot behind "Wild Bill" Mehlhorn (USA). [Willow Springs GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Hawaiian Open (Nov 28, Dec 1/2, 4). "Wild Bill" Mehlhorn (USA) beat Fred Morrison (USA) in an 18-hole Tuesday playoff (Mehlhorn 73, Morrison 71). [Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (Sept 4-6). Second-placed Al Watrous (USA) finished 8 shots behind Bill Mehlhorn (USA). [Calumet CC, Homewood, nr Chicago, Illinois].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
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.
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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