Who's who: Harry Cooper

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Harry Cooper

  • Name:

    Henry Edward "Harry" Cooper
  • Also known as:

    Lighthorse
  • Country:

    England
  • Lived:

    [1904-2000]. Born on July 26, 1904 in Leatherhead, Surrey, England. Died on Oct 17, 2000 in White Plains, New York, aged 96.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Cedar Crest, Dallas
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer and teaching professional.
  • Turned Pro:

    1923

Roll of Honour

Total professional wins (40+), including PGA Tour (31). PGA Tour leading money winner (1937). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1992).

Did you know?

Cooper was born in the market town of Leatherhead, just south of London, the son of two professional golfers, Syd and Alice Cooper. The family emigrated to the United States, where Cooper developed his golfing skills at Cedar Crest Country Club in Dallas, turning professional in 1923, aged 18. During an excellent professional career, in which he finished second in four major championships, he was nicknamed 'Lighthorse' Harry Cooper based on his speed of play.

Top tournaments won by Harry Cooper

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Score

285 (-3)

Prize money

$1,200

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Crescent City Open (Feb 19-21). Second-placed Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) finished 4 shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA). [Bayou Oaks at City Park, New Orleans, LA. Played on what was known as City Park's No.1 (East) course; now part of the South course).

1938
America
Sequoyah CC
275 (-5)
$1,200
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Sequoyah CC

Score

275 (-5)

Prize money

$1,200

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Oakland Open (Jan 28-30). Second-placed Jimmy Hines (USA) and Charlie Sheppard (USA) finished shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA), who snatched victory with an eagle-3 at the last hole. [Sequoyah CC, Oakland, California].

1937
Awards
500 pts
n/a
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Score

500 pts

Prize money

n/a

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Cooper (Eng/USA) won the inaugural Vardon Trophy, based on a season-long points accumulation. Trophy named after Harry Vardon, a member of golf's legendary Great Triumverate, who died in March 1937

1937
Awards
$14,138
see Score
PGA of America

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Score

$14,138

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Cooper (USA) was the PGA Tour 1937 leading money winner, with earnings of $14,138 on the Tour.

1937
America
St Andrews, Ont.
285 (+5)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

St Andrews, Ont.

Score

285 (+5)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (Sept 9-11). Second-placed Ralph Guldahl (USA) finished 2 shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA). [St Andrews GC, North York, Toronto, Ont. This course no longer exists].

1937
America
Griffith Park
274 (-10)
$2,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Griffith Park

Score

274 (-10)

Prize money

$2,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 8-11). Second-placed Ralph Guldahl (USA) and Horton Smith (USA) finished 5 shots behind Cooper (Eng/USA). [Wilson course, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Medinah

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the second Medinah Open, won by Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA).

1934
America
Peoria CC
274 (-14)
$500
WGA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Peoria CC

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (June 15-18). "Light Horse" Harry Cooper (USA) beat Ky Laffoon (USA) in an 18-hole Monday afternoon playoff, after they tied the 18-hole Monday morning playoff. Playoff scores: Cooper 67, 66; Laffoon 67, 69. [CC of Peoria, Peoria Heights, Peoria, Illinois].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Medinah

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Illinois Open, won by Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA).

1933
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
281 (-3)
$400
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

281 (-3)

Prize money

$400

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Arizona Open (Jan 19-22). Second-placed Ray Mangrum (USA) and Horton Smith (USA) finished 2 shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

1932
America
Ottawa Hunt Club
290 (-2)
$500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Ottawa Hunt Club

Score

290 (-2)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (25th) (July 7-9). Second-placed Al Watrous (USA) finished 3 shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA). [Ottawa H&GC, Ottawa, Ontario].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Venue

Medinah

Score

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Medinah Open, won by Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA).

1929
America
294 (+6)
$500
PGA of America

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Score

294 (+6)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Played as the Shawnee Open (June 18/19). Second-placed Billy Burke (USA) finished 4 shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA). [Shawnee CC & Inn, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania; at the time the Inn was known as the Buckwood Inn].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Cooper, Harry

Score

279 (-7)

Prize money

$3,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Los Angeles Open (Jan 7-10). Second-placed George Von Elm (USA) finished 3 shots behind "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper (Eng/USA). [Los Angeles CC, Los Angeles, CA].

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