Willie Fernie
Name:
Willie FernieCountry:
ScotlandLived:
[1855-1924]. Born on May 7, 1855 in St Andrews, Fife. Died on June 24, 1924 in Glasgow, Scotland (aged 69).Original/Home Club:
St Andrews, FifeOccupation:
Professional golfer and golf instructor; golf course designer.Turned Pro:
c.1871MAJORS (1): The Open (1883).
Royal Troon (1878); Seacroft (1895); Shiskine (1896); Southerdown (1905).
In winning the 1883 Open Championship, Fernie put an end to Bob Ferguson's hopes of winning his fourth Open in a row ... he did so on Ferguson's home course, the Old Links, Musselburgh. Fernie clinched the title in dramatic fashion. Level after 36 holes of regulation play, they came to the last of the 36 playoff holes with Ferguson leading by a shot. A two shot swing at the last gave Fernie the win by just one shot.
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (23rd) (Nov 16/17). Fernie (Scot) beat Robert "Bob" Ferguson (Scot) in a 36-hole playoff (four rounds of the 9-hole Links): Fernie 158, Ferguson 159. [The Old Course, Musselburgh Links, nr Edinburgh].
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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