Macdonald Smith
Name:
Macdonald "Mac" SmithCountry:
ScotlandLived:
[1890-1949]. Born on March 18, 1890 in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. Died on Aug 31, 1949 in Glendale, Los Angeles County, California.Original/Home Club:
Carnoustie, Scotland.Occupation:
Professional golfer and club pro.Turned Pro:
1908Total professional wins (29), including PGA Tour wins (25).
"Mac" Smith (b.1890) and his five older brothers (Alex, Willie, John, George and Jim), were part of a large golfing family from Barry, a small village next to Carnoustie. Mac, and his brothers Alex (b.1874) and Willie (b.1876) all migrated to the USA as young men, eager to pursue the more lucrative golfing opportunities that lay "across the pond".
Although "Mac" missed out on major championship honours (he is widely regarded as one of the best players of all time not to have won a major), he eventually recorded many more American professional circuit wins than his brothers. In 1930 he came second in both the Open Championship and the US Open (on both occasions runner-up to Bobby Jones). The latter title had already been won "within the family", in 1899 by his brother Willie, and by Alex in 1906 and 1910.
America
x
Played as the inaugural Seattle Open (Jul 31-Aug 3; next played in 1945). 46-year-old Macdonald Smith (Scot/USA) beat Ralph Guldahl (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Smith 8-under 65, Guldahl 71), to record the last of his 25 PGA Tour wins. [Inglewood GC, Kenmore, nr Seattle, WA].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 5-8). Second-placed Willie Hunter (Scot/USA) and Bill Mehlhorn (USA) finished 8 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA), who claimed this title for the fourth time in seven years. Second-place was only decided on the following day (Tuesday), after darkness prevented the contenders, Willie Hunter and George Von Elm, completing the last two holes of their final rounds. [Los Angeles CC, Los Angeles, CA].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (Aug 25-27). Second-placed Tommy Armour (Scot/USA) finished 6 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [No.4 (North) course (par-70), Olympia Fields CC, nr Chicago, IL. One of the first two rounds for each player on the par-72 No.1 (South) course].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 8-11). Second-placed Leo Diegel (USA), Olin Dutra (USA), Joe Kirkwood Sr (Aus) and Dick Metz (USA) finished 4 shots behind Madonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [Hillcrest CC, Los Angeles, CA].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open (July 16-18). Second-placed Gene Sarazen (USA) finished 5 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [Crestmont CC, West Orange, New Jersey].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 11-14). Second-placed Tommy Armour (Scot/USA) finished 6 shots behind defending champion Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). The leaders finished on Monday (14th), but darkness required some players to finish the following day. [Riviera CC, Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 5-8). Second-placed Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA) finished 3 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [Wilshire CC, Central Los Angeles, CA].
America
Chicago District GA
Played as the Chicago District Open (Aug 31/Sep 1). Second-placed Eddie Loos (USA) finished 1 shot behind Macdonald Smith (Scot/USA). [Evanston GC, Skokie, Illinois].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open (Jan 15-17). Second-placed Bobby Cruickshank (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA), the runner-up in this event the previous year. [Brackenridge Park GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (Aug 5-7). Second-placed Gene Sarazen (USA) finished 3 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [Royal Montreal GC, Dixie, Dorval, Montreal - this course no longer exists].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open (July 15-18, 24). Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA) beat defending champion Gene Sarazen (USA) after a marathon playoff that lasted 54 holes. In their 18-hole Sunday morning playoff both had 3-under-par 70s; this necessitated a further 18-hole playoff in the afternoon, which they tied 72 apiece. The following Saturday, Smith prevailed in the third 18-hole playoff (Smith 66, Sarazen 70). Over the course of the championship (which lasted for seven rounds over ten days) Smith ran up a total score of 494, to Sarazen's 498. [No.3 course, 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].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (25th) (Aug 20-22). Second-placed Leo Diegel (USA), Johnny Farrell (USA), Emmet French (USA), Walter Hagen (USA) and defending champion Bill Mehlhorn (USA) finished 6 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [Youngstown CC, Youngstown, Ohio].
America
x
Played as the North & South Open (April 1/2). Second-placed and defending champion Walter Hagen (USA) finished 8 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [No.2 Course, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open (Aug 27/28). Second-placed Willie Macfarlane (Scot) finished 9 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). At the time, Smith's 278 was the lowest 72-hole score ever recorded in a "major" championship, matching Arthur Smith's 278 in the 1905 Western Open. [Scarsdale GC, Hartsdale, NY].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (Aug 28/29; reverted to stroke play after two years as a match play event). Second-placed Alec Robertson (Scot/USA) finished 4 shots behind Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA). [Idlewild CC, Flossmoor, nr Chicago, IL].
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