James Maiden

Rodman Wanamaker, the wealthy proprietor of the Wanamaker department stores (now Macy's), and a number of golf professionals—including the legendary Walter Hagen and leading amateurs of the era—gathered at Wanamaker's invitation for a luncheon at the Taplow Club in the Martinique Hotel on Broadway and West 32nd Street in New York City on 17 January 1916. Wanamaker believed golf professionals could enhance equipment sales if they formed an association.[5] It was during this meeting that Maiden, Herbert Strong, James Hepburn, Jack Hobens, Jack Mackie, Gilbert Nicholls and Robert White were chosen as the organizing committee of the PGA of America.[5][6] The Taplow Club gathering initiated a series of several meetings over the next several months and, on 10 April 1916, the PGA of America was officially established with 35 charter members.

In 1923, Bobby Jones paid a visit to Nassau Country Club and at the suggestion of Maiden bought a putter from him, a club which Maiden had nicknamed "Calamity Jane". Jones, who was struggling with his putting at the time,[2] would go on to use the putter with astounding success for the next seven years until his retirement from competitive golf in 1930 after winning the Grand Slam. The Maiden brothers are portrayed in the 2004 biographical drama film, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, which is based on the life of Bobby Jones.

Maiden's main duties as a club professional were to give lessons and repair and build clubs for members at the courses where he worked, therefore his appearances in tournaments were minimal. His most important achievement as a player was a tie for third place in the 1906 U.S. Open.[7] Years later—at the age of 42—he would win the 1924 Long Island Open, a PGA Tour event at the time.[8]

• 1924 Long Island Open