Wilfrid Ewart Reid
By Sheila (great granddaughter)
March 6, 2022
Wilfrid Reid (1884-1973) was a pioneering golf professional from the age of 15 up to his final age of 89. He was an accomplished tournament competitor,
a devoted golf course designer, a prolific golf instructor, and a coveted club professional of at least 15 golf clubs starting in England and ending in the United States.
He was frequently referred to as a "famed internationalist" in golf news and magazines.
My cousin Bill has written a marvelous and detailed Biography of Wilfrid Reid (his grandfather).
There's also a summary Wiki about him here: Wilfrid Reid Wikipeida.
Wilfrid's personal stationary (shown above) is filled with some of his fondest memories. Link for a full PDF of Stationary.
Synopsis of Wilfrid's Golf Club Career:
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Started golfing and caddying when 5 years old at Bulwell Forest Golf Club, Bulwell, Nottinghamshire, England.
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Decided to become a golf professional after seeing Harry Vardon play an exhibition match at his home course in 1899.
Was a "scratch" player by age 15. Went to Edinburgh, Scotland for a golf apprenticeship where he learned to make golf clubs and balls, and study golf course design under Willie Park Jr.
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Became a protégé of Harry Vardon who recommended him for his first head professional job at Seacroft Golf Links in Skegness, England in 1902 at age 17.
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Moved quickly to RCF de La Boulie Golf Club, Versailles, France. Designed the La Vallee course circa 1902-3 originally routed by Willie Park Jr. Remained head pro for 4 seasons.
Played in his first of 12 British Open starts between 1903-1914 at age 18. Designs more golf courses in France and Belgium.
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Married Stella Toft in 1906 in his hometown in England. Became head pro at Banstead Downs Golf Club in Sutton, England (outside London) for 9 seasons 1906-1914. My grandmother Kittie was born here in 1907.
The entire Reid family was thoroughly entrenched in golf as seen in Wilfrid's family photo from circa 1913-14.
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Traveled to the USA for first time to play in the 1913 U.S. Open and many exhibitions. Was tied for 1st with Harry Vardon after 2 days, got bopped in the face by his buddy Ted Ray that night in argument, had bad 3rd day
playing with Francis Quimet (the final champion), and finished in 16th place. Found a scrapbook news from the Boston Globe about Reid from Day 2 of the 1913 US Open.
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Contributing author in book "Success At Golf" originally published in 1914. Wilfrid's chapter is "The Use of the Mashie". Say what? WWI started in 1914 for Great Britain.
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Wilfrid moves to USA in February 1915, along with his brother Arthur Reid (also a golf pro), to become head pro at the new Seaview Golf Club in Galloway, New Jersey.
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Recruited away same year 1915 by Irenee duPont I to design a new golf course and become head professional for Wilmington Country Club. Serves 7 seasons 1915-1921. In 1916 joins the newly formed PGA.
Has best US Open finish of 4th in 1916. Designs courses in California. Plays pro tournaments and exhibitions all over U.S.
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Elected Vice President of PGA in 1920 and 1921. Becomes U.S. citizen in 1921 and plays on the first USA team for a Ryder Cup style challenge against Great Britain in Scotland.
Starting in 1921 and throughout the 1920's he is also the winter head pro at St. Augustine Links in Florida.
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Skips up to Indian Springs Golf Club near Washington DC in 1922, a brand new Donald Ross course, for only one season.
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Heads to Country Club of Detroit for the head pro position in 1923. Serves 5 seasons from 1923-1927 (age 38-43).
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Designs and builds Indianwood Golf & Country Club course in Orion, Michigan between 1925-1927 and officially becomes head pro 1928-1932. Indianwood hosts the 1930 Western Open.
Club has airstrip for private planes to land! Designs and remodels golf courses with William Connellan all over Michigan during the 1920's. Is President of Michigan PGA 1928-1930.
Unfortunately, his Indianwood masterpiece is lost to foreclosure during the 1933 Banking Crisis which started in Detroit.
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Becomes teaching pro at Beverly Country Club in Chicago, IL in 1933. Also gives lessons in Marshall Fields store.
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In 1934 he is personally offered by the governor of Colorado the head golf professional position for The Broadmoor Hotel Golf Club in Colorado Springs. He works at The Broadmoor from 1934-1941.
At the same time, he is the head professional during winters at the exclusive Seminole Golf Club in North Palm Beach, Florida from 1935-1942. Life was good!
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In 1941 Wilfrid signed a 5-year contract with General Oglethorp Golf Club (now known as Savannah Country Club) in Savannah, Georgia for the years 1941-1945.
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From 1946-1948 he works at Atlantic City Country Club to prepare the club for the 1948 US Women's Open, which Babe Zaharias won.
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His last position before retiring was at Gaylord Country Club in Gaylord, Michigan from 1949-1954.
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In reality, Wilfrid never really retired from golf. He spent his final years in West Palm Beach, Florida before heading up to "the heavenly golf club" at age 89 in November 1973.
What a truly devoted man of golf!
Thank you Wilfie for that last golf lesson in 1971 when I was a young girl. I will never ever forget seeing your "extra ordinary" large hands and long fingers wrap around my golf club.