Buff Wilson

Robert Black "Buff" Wilson (19 August 1868 – 19 November 1947) was a Scottish professional golfer who played in the late 19th and early 20th century. Wilson placed ninth in the 1896 U.S. Open, held 18 July at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. He played in the 1897 U.S. Open and finished T11.[1] He had two starts in the Open Championship, in 1890 and 1893, and finished in 22nd and 33rd place, respectively.[1]

Buff Wilson
Personal information
Full nameRobert Black Wilson
NicknameBuff
Born(1868-08-19)19 August 1868
Anstruther, Scotland
Died19 November 1947(1947-11-19) (aged 79)
Cupar, Scotland
Sporting nationality Scotland
Career
StatusProfessional
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. Open9th: 1896
The Open Championship22nd: 1890

Early life

Wilson was born on 19 August 1868 in Anstruther, Scotland.[2] He was in business as a clubmaker in the 1890s and produced fine long-nosed woods. He carved his signature on the clubs he made in an oval configuration on the top of the clubhead, the markings reading: "R B Wilson, Maker, St Andrews".[3] He learned his trade as a clubmaker when he apprenticed under Old Tom Morris at St Andrews. He obtained patents on several of his golf club designs, including a mashie-cleek for approach shots; it was a popular item in his shop—he sold 1,200 clubs in 1898 alone.[4]

He first posting as a professional was at Minchinhampton where he also designed the course. After intermediate stops at Sheffield, Sidcup, and Beckenham he set sail for the United States and took up a posting at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, Long Island. He also worked at Lakewood Golf Club in New Jersey. In the winter months he always returned to St Andrews and went back into his workshop producing more clubs, most of which he exported to the U.S. He was posted at the Wentorf Reinbek Club in Germany in 1905 but stayed only a short time before returning to Scotland.[4]

Golf career

1896 U.S. Open

Wilson placed ninth in the 1896 U.S. Open, held 18 July at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York. He carded rounds of 82-80=162.[1] James Foulis won the tournament, three strokes ahead of runner-up Horace Rawlins, the defending champion.[5]

Death

Wilson died on 19 November 1947 in Cupar, Scotland, at the age of 79.[6]

Results in major championships
Tournament 1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895 1896 1897 1898 1899
U.S. Open NYF NYF NYF NYF NYF NYF NYF DNP 9 T11 DNP T36
The Open Championship ? DNP 22 DNP DNP 33 DNP WD DNP DNP DNP DNP

Note: Wilson only played in the Open Championship and the U.S. Open.
NYF = Tournament not yet founded
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
? = finish unknown
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Yellow background for top-10

References
  1. Brenner, Morgan G. (2009). The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008. Vol. 1. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  2. "Births in the Burgh of Anstruther Easter in the County of Fife". Statutory Births 402/00 0032. ScotlandsPeople. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  3. Furjanic, Chuck (December 2003). 3rd Edition - Antique Golf Collectibles. p. 202. ISBN 9780873496728. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  4. "Clubmakers -- R B Wilson". antiquegolfscotland.com. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  5. "Great Golf By Foulis". The New York Sun. 18 July 1896. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
  6. "Deaths in the District of Cupar in the County of Fife". Statutory Deaths 420/00 0164. ScotlandsPeople. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
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