Keeping with the theme of most popular GCA first names, Willie Campbell was born in Musselburgh. His start in golf was as a caddy at Musselburgh in the days when many caddies were also competing professionals. He played a memorable match against Willie Park Jr. in the 1887 Open Championship, losing by a shot after a questionable play from a bunker at Prestwick, the bunker now dubbed "Campbell's Grave."
Campbell began his design career by laying out several courses in England and Scotland before immigrating to the United States in 1894 as part of the early wave of Scottish pros who came to these shores to seek their livelihood. During his brief time in the States before passing away in 1900 he served as the first professional at TCC Brookline and as a summer professional at Essex CC. As noted below, he had a hand in the creation or renovation of many of the earliest courses built in New England.
Course List:
1893 - TCC Brookline (MA) - Date in question as reports have him arriving in 1894. He also added 3 holes in 1895.
1894 - Essex (MA)
1895 - Torresdale-Frankford (PA)
1896 - Myopia Hunt (MA)
1896 - Boston (MA) - question as to whether this reference is to TCC Brookline.
1897 - Winchester (MA)
1897 - Beaver Meadow (9) (NH) f/k/a Concord CC
1898 - Bridgewater (MA)
1898 - Tatnuck (MA)
1898 - Moorestown Field (NJ)
1898 - Wannamoisett (RI)
1898 - Patty Jewett (CO) - There are references to a W. Campbell laying out this course in Colorado Springs.
1898 - Oakley (MA)
1900 - William F. Devine (MA) f/k/a Franklin Park
Dates Unknown:
Quincy (MA)
Worcester (MA)
New Bedford (MA)
Huntingdon Valley (PA)