Came across this article on the web so I'm hoping Mr. Healey's not offended or litiguous. His web site is
http://members.aol.com/_ht_a/golfspy/Articles.htmvery St. Louis oriented but well written articles on golf topics.
I enjoy several courses in the Area designed by the Foulis brothers and thought this group might be interested in an obscure Golden Age family of Architects.
Buck
The Foulis Brothers; Founding Fathers of Midwest Golf
By
Jim Healey
They arrived from Scotland between 1890-1900. They came with little belongings, but with a wealth of knowledge. Most had studied under the "Master", Old Tom Morris, and were considered the craftsmen of their trade - golf course architecture and golf club design. As they walked "The Old Course" at St. Andrews with Old Tom, he made succinct but insightful comments about what nature and Alan Robertson had brought forth. He pointed out the subtleties of the mounds, the masterful bunkering, many of them shaped by the sheep lying against the wind, and the contours of the greens which provide the ultimate challenge for the adventuresome golfer. These were the Scots who brought the game to America, and were determined to spread their love of golf to their new neighbors. Their names are not immediately recognized, as they plied their trade in typical Scottish style - diligently and with great detail. But one family is generally credited with having brought the game of golf to the midwest from St. Andrews. Their name was Foulis.
From St. Andrews to Chicago
From their home at 166 South Street in St. Andrews, Fifeshire, Scotland, only 4 blocks from the Golf Links, came the Foulis brothers; Robert, James, Dave, John and Simpson. From a large family, there were seven children in all, Jim and Dave first made the arduous journey to America in 1895. Their ties to golf were long, as their great-grandfather had herded the grass-trimming sheep at St. Andrews when George III was king of England prior to the War of 1812! Their father, James Sr., was the foreman at Old Tom Morris' shop for over 40 years, and was generally recognized as one of Scotland's foremost authorities on the manufacture of clubs. The brothers apprenticed in the shop, and they acquired quite a reputation from their days studying under Old Tom, in particular young Robert who received the more formal training, as Old Tom seemed to take him under his wing. Apart from Simpson, who remained an amateur, all the brothers became ultimately became golf professionals.
So it was that when Charles Blair Macdonald wanted someone to be the head professional at his newly designed Chicago GC, the first 18 hole course in the country, he first offered the position to Robert. But a youthful eye injury prevented him from accepting the position, and he sent his brother Jim instead, who proved himself very adept, even to the stern Macdonald. When Jim arrived, despite never competing in the British Open, he quickly proved himself quite a player; finishing third in the first US Open behind Horace Rawlins, and a year later winning the Open in 1896 at Shinnecock Hills, shooting a 152 (78-74) with the old "gutta-percha" ball. So good was his round of 74, that it wasn't broken for seven years in the Open, when Willie Anderson shot a 72 in 1904. Of the 33 players entered for the 1896 Open only 4 were from courses "out west" as most came from New York, Philadelphia and Boston. Apart from Foulis, there were amateurs Macdonald, his son-in-law Jim Whigham and Dave Leitch from Denver.
An interesting question might be raised regarding the Chicago GC and Jim Foulis. As his expertise grew, Jim never attempted any re-design of his home course. Tim Surlas, head professional at Chicago today, told me that this is most likely due to two circumstances; first the dominant personality of Macdonald. Foulis would probably not have made any changes with 'ole C.B.'s approval. Secondly, was the membership of Chicago itself. They undoubtedly recognized the treasure they had and for years, the only changes made were those suggested by Macdonald himself.
It seems odd to recall, but in 1895, prior to the Chicago GC being built, there was only one golf club in the Chicago area, the 9-hole Belmont GC, which had also been created by Macdonald and was the site of the first Chicago GC! No clubs existed in St. Louis and only a handful of 9-hole tracts were spread throughout the west and midwest! But thanks to the Foulis' more courses would begin quickly.