James Hepburn (golfer)

Hepburn was born in Barry, Angus, Scotland, on 14 September 1876, the son of James Hepburn and Margaret Gray.[1][2] In 1903 he married Emily Preston at Royston, Hertfordshire, England.[3] He had an older brother Robert Gray Hepburn (1869–1940) who was also a professional golfer. Robert was the professional at Royston Golf Club from about 1892 to 1904.[4]

Hepburn plays an iron shot on the National Golf Links of America course in Southampton, New York, as J. H. Taylor and Harry Vardon look on. (c. 1915)

Hepburn, a club maker of some renown, was one of the founding members of the PGA of America when he served as chairman of the seven-member organizing committee. He had formerly been the secretary of the British PGA.[5][6] He played in the England–Scotland Professional Match representing Scotland in 1903, 1905, 1906, 1907, 1910, 1912 and 1913. He was joint runner-up in the inaugural Tooting Bec Cup in 1901, three strokes behind the winner J. H. Taylor,[7] and was a semi-finalist in the British PGA Matchplay Championship in 1904 and 1909. In 1904 he lost 4&2 to Alfred Toogood in the semi-final while in 1909 he lost 5&4 to the eventual winner, Tom Ball.[8][9] He had two top-10 finishes in the Open Championship.[10]

One of his first postings as a professional came at Bush Hill Park from 1896 to 1897. He later served at Enfield (London) in 1897 and Church Stretton in 1898. He was co-designer of the Church Stretton course with Jack Morris. Hepburn also spent time at Home Park (Surbiton, Surrey), from 1900 until early 1915 where he maintained a successful club-making business by partnering with Hugh Williamson, brother of the noted touring professional Tom Williamson.[10]

In May 1915 he emigrated to the United States and became the professional at the National Golf Links in Southampton, New York, and remained there until 1928.[10] Soon after arriving he played in the 1915 U.S. Open at Baltusrol Golf Club. He made the 36-hole cut but his name is not recorded amongst the 54-hole finishers.[11] He taught golf lessons for several winters at Wanamaker's department store in Manhattan where he worked for Sam Wanamaker.[2]

Hepburn died of cancer in 1945.[2] The location of his death is unknown.

Note: Hepburn only played in The Open Championship and the U.S. Open.

NT = No tournament
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

• England–Scotland Professional Match (representing Scotland): 1903 (winners), 1905 (tie), 1906, 1907, 1910, 1912 (tie), 1913
• Coronation Match (representing the Professionals): 1911 (winners)