Willie Park

William Park Sr. (1833 - 1903) was the son of a farmer and born in Wallyford, East Lothian, Scotland. He was a Scottish professional golfer and a 4-time winner of the Open Championship.
Like many of the other early professional golfers, Park started out as a golf caddie. He later ran a golf equipment manufacturing business. On the course he made his money from "Challenge Matches" as these were the most popular form of spectator golf in his era and played against rivals such as Old Tom Morris, Willie Dunn and Allan Robertson.
Willie's skill is reflected in his record, he was the first 'Open Champion' in 1860 and won it a further three times, his other victories came in 1863, 1866 and 1875.
Willie Park Sr. was initially probably a gutty golf ball maker but is well known for his high-quality clubs, although production was low. It's thought he didn't manufacture any iron clubs himself but might have sold some that was forged by others, his clubs were the long nose variety. By around 1887 he had effectively handed over the family business to his son, Young Willie.
He married Susanna Law in Inveresk, Scotland, on 29 March 1860. The couple would have ten children.
Park's brother Mungo and his son Willie Jr. were also both winners the Open Championship. Mungo's victory came in 1874 and Willie Jr. had two wins, in 1887 and 1889.

Willie Park Jr. (1864-1925) was born in Musselburgh, Scotland, and was the son of the famous golfer of the 1860's and ... show more

William Park Sr. (1833 - 1903) was the son of a farmer and born in Wallyford, East Lothian, Scotland. He was a Scottish professional golfer and a 4-time winner of the Open Championship.
Like many of the other early professional golfers, Park started out as a golf caddie. He later ran a golf equipment manufacturing business. On the course he made his money from "Challenge Matches" as these were the most popular form of spectator golf in his era and played against rivals such as Old Tom Morris, Willie Dunn and Allan Robertson.
Willie's skill is reflected in his record, he was the first 'Open Champion' in 1860 and won it a further three times, his other victories came in 1863, 1866 and 1875.
Willie Park Sr. was initially probably a gutty golf ball maker but is well known for his high-quality clubs, although production was low. It's thought he didn't manufacture any iron clubs himself but might have sold some that was forged by others, his clubs were the long nose variety. By around 1887 he had effectively handed over the family business to his son, Young Willie.
He married Susanna Law in Inveresk, Scotland, on 29 March 1860. The couple would have ten children.
Park's brother Mungo and his son Willie Jr. were also both winners the Open Championship. Mungo's victory came in 1874 and Willie Jr. had two wins, in 1887 and 1889.

Willie Park Jr. (1864-1925) was born in Musselburgh, Scotland, and was the son of the famous golfer of the 1860's and

70's, Willie Park Sr. He was not only a clubmaker but an exceptionally talented professional golfer too. Learning golf from his early childhood, he was only 17 when he came 5th in the 1881 British Open. He did manage to win it twice, taking until 1887 for his first win, and again in 1889. Between 1890 and 1900 he finished in the top six, four times.
He was also an author and golf course architect, designing courses in Europe, America and Great Britain; Sunningdale being his most famous. Park's 1896 book entitled 'The Game of Golf' was the first book written by a professional and was well received, his second, The Art of Putting, was published in 1920.
In the early days of marking clubs most clubmakers used a 'cleek mark' but Park stamped his name and not a symbol during the years 1885-1915. Park was in business with his farther, also called Willie (1834-1903), as W.Park & Son.
The Musselburgh Links course in the Park's home town was one of the main centres of golf at the time, and held The Open Championship from 1873 to 1891. In 1892 it was moved to Muirfield, a new course which became the home of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers. During most of the 19th century the Park family had a deep and fierce golf rivalry with the Morris family of St Andrews, both in competition and in business.