James Braid - Golfer
James Braid,
(1870-1950) won five Open Championships between 1901 and 1910, two of them at St
Andrews.
Born in Earlsferry in the East Neuk of Fife, Braid originally trained as a carpenter and joiner, honing his golf game at the Elie links. In 1893 he became clubmaker at the Army and Navy in London, turning professional three years later.
He worked as club professional at Romford, Essex, and then moved to Walton Heath, Surrey, staying with the club until his death. The first man to win the Open five times, he was also runner-up three times, remaining modest and earning respect throughout
his career, as a plaque at Earlsferry town hall noted:
"He had many opponents, but no enemies".
Apart from his playing success, Braid was an excellent course designer, creating more than 200 courses in the British Isles, and was also a founder member of the PGA
and later its president.
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