Antique Golf Clubs from Scotland: Clubmakers

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Clubmakers

James Hepburn
Carnoustie/London/NY

James Hepburn was born in Carnoustie in 1876. I don't know if he was secretary of the PGA as his grand-daughter suggests, but he was certainly one of the original members. He was both a good player (representing Scotland against England in 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1909, 1910, 1912 and 1921, twice semi-finalist in the PGA Matchplay Championship, two top 10 finishes in the Open Championship) and a renowned clubmaker.

He was professional at Bush Hill Park 1896-1897, Enfield (London) 1897, Church Stretton 1898 (which he designed with Jack Morris) [Church Stretton’s own history mixes this up saying James Hepburn was professional at Royston - that was, in fact, his brother Robert] and Home Park (Surbiton, Surrey) 1899 until, perhaps, 1914. Some time shortly after this he emigrated to the US and was pro at the National Golf Links in Southampton, NY, until 1928. (Some sources conflict on these last dates, he may have been a visiting pro there from as early as 1915, i.e. spending summers in NY and winters in England. He is cited as the pro there in the New York Times of 1st September 1916). The Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette was in no doubt: he sailed on 15 May 1915 to take up his new professional appointment.

He was chairman of the committee responsible for forming the PGA of America in 1916.

While in Surbiton he ran a successful clubmaking business (Hepburn and Williamson) with Hugh Williamson brother of Tom .

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