Bertie Snowball

Born c. June 1887 in Baildon in Yorkshire to James (a farm bailiff) and Elisabeth Snowball. During his career he would be professional at Scarborough Town, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock (1906-1909?), Bradford and Criccieth and was at some time a private tutor to Lord Londesborough of Blackney. Snowball may have had some connection with Carnoustie (may have settled there before the war), as his name appears on the war memorial and is believed to have assisted the famous clubmaker, Robert Simpson. While at Portmarnock, golf clubs were sold with the Bertie Snowball stamp.

Bertie Snowball was runner-up to James Edmundson in the first two Irish Professional Championships (1907 and 1908).

 

Snowball joined the fifth battalion of the Royal Highlanders Black Watch regiment where he reached the rank of corporal and died on the 9 May 1915 on active duty in the fields of France and Flanders at the battle of Aubers Ridge, a line from the report of the battle read: "Poor Bertie Snowball, a letter had to be opened to get his young wife's address": he left behind a wife and three children.