Harry Cooper
Name:
Henry Edward "Harry" CooperAlso known as:
LighthorseCountry:
EnglandLived:
[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, DallasOccupation:
Professional golfer and teaching professional.Turned Pro:
1923Total professional wins (40+), including PGA Tour (31). PGA Tour leading money winner (1937). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1992).
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.
America
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).
America
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].
Awards
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
Awards
PGA of America
Cooper (USA) was the PGA Tour 1937 leading money winner, with earnings of $14,138 on the Tour.
America
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].
America
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].
Played as the second Medinah Open, won by Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA).
America
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].
Played as the Illinois Open, won by Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA).
America
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].
America
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].
Played as the inaugural Medinah Open, won by Harry "Lighthorse" Cooper (USA).
America
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].
America
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].
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
You can subscribe to the Where2Golf channel on YT if you like to see more video content. You'll find a "Subscribe" button on any of our YouTube videos. Or if you want a quick and direct access subscribe here. Once done, any new published videos will show up in your Subscriptions feed.
