Who's who: Willie Macfarlane

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Who's who: Willie Macfarlane

  • Name:

    William "Willie" Macfarlane
  • Country:

    Scotland
  • Lived:

    [1889-1961]. Born on June 29, 1889 in Aberdeen, Scotland. Died on Aug 15, 1961 in Miami, Florida (aged 72).
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Club pro and professional golfer.
  • Turned Pro:

    c.1907

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): US Open (1925). At least 22 professional wins in the USA between 1916 and 1936.

Did you know?

Like many professional golfers of his generation, Willie Macfarlane left his native Scotland to take up a club professional appointment in the USA, where the golf market was booming in the 1910s and 20s. In 1925 he won the US Open Championship, tieing with the great Bobby Jones over the regulation 72 holes, and again in an 18-hole playoff, then finally prevailing by one shot in the second 18-hole playoff.

Top tournaments won by Willie Macfarlane

1933
America
291 (+3)
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Score

291 (+3)

Prize money

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the Metropolitan Open (May 25-27). Second-placed Paul Runyan (USA) finished 1 shot behind 43-year-old Willie Macfarlane (Scot). [West course, Winged Foot GC, Mamaroneck, NY].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Score

288 (+4)

Prize money

$2,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Miami Biltmore Open (Dec 8-10; the second of two Miami Biltmore Opens played in 1933). Second-placed Johnny Revolta (USA) finished 4 shots behind Willie Macfarlane (Scot/USA). [The Biltmore, Coral Gables, Miami, FL].

1931
America
Kenwood G&CC, MD
214 (+4)
$700
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Venue

Kenwood G&CC, MD

Score

214 (+4)

Prize money

$700

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural National Capital Open (Oct 29-Nov 1). Second-placed Tommy Armour (Scot/USA) and Sal DiBuono (USA) finished 6 shots behind Macfarlane (Scot). [Kenwood G&CC, Bethesda, Maryland].

1930
America
Fairview CC, NY
280 (-4)
Metropolitan GA

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Venue

Fairview CC, NY

Score

280 (-4)

Prize money

Title sponsor

Metropolitan GA

Played as the Metropolitan Open (July 17-20). Willie Macfarlane (Scot) beat Johnny Farrell (USA) in a Sunday playoff that lasted 36 holes. In their 18-hole morning playoff both had par 70s; this necessitated a further 18-hole afternoon playoff (Macfarlane 72, Farrell 74). [Fairview CC, Elmsford, NY. This course no longer exists; in 1968 the club moved 10 mi east to a new location in Greenwich, CT].

1928
America
291 (+3)
$500
PGA of America

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Score

291 (+3)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Played as the Shawnee Open (July 10/11). Second-placed Leo Diegel (USA) finished 4 shots behind Willie Macfarlane (Scot), who won this event for the second time in four years. [Shawnee CC & Inn, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania; at the time the Inn was known as the Buckwood Inn].

1925
America
283 (-13)
$500
PGA of America

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Score

283 (-13)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

PGA of America

Played as the Shawnee Open (July 13/14). Willie Macfarlane (Scot) beat Willie Klein (USA) in an 18-hole playoff (Macfarlane 71, Klein 75). The playoff was held on the same day as the final 36 holes of regulation play. [Shawnee CC & Inn, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania; at the time the Inn was known as the Buckwood Inn].

1925
Majors
291 (+7)
$500
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Macfarlane, Willie

Score

291 (+7)

Prize money

$500

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Open (29th) (June 3-5). Macfarlane (Scot) beat Bobby Jones (USA, amateur) in the second of two 18-hole playoffs. First playoff: both players shot 75 (+4). Second playoff: Macfarlane 72 (+1), Jones 73 (+2). Jones was runner-up for the second straight year. [Worcester CC, Worcester, Mass.].

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

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Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

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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