Willie started the design of Chapultepec GC in Mexico. Following his untimely death in 1916 from pneumonia, his brother Alex finished the project.

Willie Smith (b.1876) and his five brothers, were part of a large golfing family from Barry, a small village next to Carnoustie. Willie, his older brother Alex (b.1874) and younger brother "Mac" (b.1890) all migrated to the USA as young men, eager to pursue the more lucrative golfing opportunities that lay "across the pond".

Willie's travels eventually took him to Mexico, where he became the professional at Mexico City GC. He narrowly escaped losing his life during the prolonged Mexican Revolution, after which time he commenced the design of the now famous Chapultec GC. Before the task could be completed, Willie died of pneumonia. His brother Alex came down from the USA to finish his late brother's work.

Willie won the US Open in 1899, while brother Alex claimed that title in 1906 and 1910. Younger brothers John, George, Jim and Macdonald "Mac" Smith were also excellent golfers. The youngest of the "clan", "Mac" Smith, missed out on major championship honours, but he eventually recorded many more American professional circuit wins than his brothers.