James
Braid (6 February 1870 – 27 November 1950)
James Braid the five-time
Open Champion made more visits to Ireland after his retirement
in 1912 as a course designer as he ever did as a professional
golfer. In the early 1900s it is believed he travelled to Rosapenna
to suggest alterations to lengthen the course and improve the
bunkering. In 1910 he was due to return with Tom Ball, Harry
Vardon, George Duncan but pulled out of the exhibition match
perhaps due to a fear of travelling by sea and was replaced
by Sandy Herd.
1902: The professional
tournament held on 20-22 May 1902 at Greenore organised by the
Railway company which attracted Vardon, Taylor, Braid, Taylor
and White. Braid won the tournament beating Vardon en-route.
1903: Played at Portmarnock
Golf Club at the Lord Lieutenant's Golfing Party in Easter 1903
where he finished in first ahead of luminaries like Vardon,
Herd, Taylor, Aucterlonie, Massey and Sayers.
1907: Braid played
an exhibition match against Harry Vardon on 23 May 1907 to commemorate
the opening of Malone's new eighteen holes. During the practice
round Braid shot a 71 to beat Harry Kidd's course record 72.
1928: Arrived at the
Grange Golf Club in January 1928 to redesign the golf course
for a fee of 35 guineas which had to be paid upfront before
he would make the journey. During his stay he resided at Marlay
Grange as a guest of R.K. Love.
1928: Howth Golf Club
offered Braid the contract for laying out their new course,
after a further 42 acres were acquired by June of this year,
at a cost of 28 guineas plus living expenses and together with
Stutt, the Paisley based contractors, they set about building
their new course.
1933/34: Braid laid
out the extended eighteen-hole course at Waterford Golf Club.
1934: Braid was engaged
to plan and layout the new course at Bangor Golf Club at a cost
of c.£21 plus travelling expenses. As always Braid visited
the course for a single day, 19 February 1934, and drew up him
recommendations on the journey home and was assisted by John
R. Stutt Ltd. a Scottish based contracting firm which would
put his plans in effect.
1934: Braid was engaged
by Kirkistown Castle on 26 September 1934 to suggest alterations
to the course and spent the day placing tees, greens and suggesting
alternative positions and shapes for bunkers.
On seeing the location
of the course for the first time he was heard to exclaim "If
only I had this within 50 miles of London".
1934: In late 1934
Braid made suggestions for improvements at the Dundalk Golf
Club all of which were being carried out in their entirety and
likely to effect all holes on the course.
1935: Arrived to layout
the Mullingar golf course on 5 June 1935 at their tract of land
in Belvedere and with 18 pegs and 18 stakes he laid out the
course in a single day. His fee was £21 and travelling
expenses.
1937: Braid returned
to complete an eighteen-hole course at Howth Golf Club. <Click
here>
1938: Arrived at Tullamore
Golf Club on 3 August 1938: to make suggestions as to how their
course might be improved. All his suggestions were accepted.
Course Designs:
Rosapenna, Mullingar, Tullamore, Kirkistown
Castle, Bangor, Dundalk, Grange, Howth, Waterford, Newlands.
The
other connection with Ireland runours of a legal action against
James Braid by Thomas Hood, the Royal Dublin professional, who
had designed a high quality club which he allowed Braid to use
for demonstration purposes but Hood claimed copies were made
and sold which infringed his copyright. What kind of club or
what was the ultimate outcome remains a mystery.
Sources:
Brian Treston and
Michael Forde: Golf in the Foothills - A History of Grange Golf
Club
Jeremy Stanley and
Paul Campbell: Bangor Golf Club - One Hundred Years
John Hanna: Malone
Golf Club 1895-1995
