When Alexander H. Findlay arrived in the United States in 1887 he immediately traveled to Nebraska with his golf clubs. Upon arriving at his destination a little west of Omaha he settled down in his new line of work, cowboy! It was a most amazing transition from world class golfer to 2nd hand hired hand cowboy. It's not that Alex did not take to riding a horse; he didn't totally understand anything about horses, cows or ranches. But a new start is a new start. It wasn't long before the urgings for a round of golf enveloped him. He heard there was a course in Denver, off he went in search of that course only to find out it was polo they were playing. He did this throughout the west and in the end he would start a new career, designing and building of golf courses.
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A little history concerning this site and who is preparing the information. It is a joint effort of both myself Richard B. Findlay and Ronald A. Findlay, grandsons of Alexander H. Findlay by his 3rd son Norman E.J. Findlay, Sr. Growing up in Philadelphia, PA we had a house full of one of the most extensive private golf collections of antiquity in existence. We knew that our grandfather was famous for golf but not actually sure of his legacy. You see he died before I was born and when Ron was only 7 years of age. Our father would tell us of his father’s accomplishments in early American golf. He would even indicate that Alex was "The Father of American Golf".
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Wait to you see what's coming!
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Thank you for looking into the Alexander H. Findlay website. You will be interested to know that it has reached the pinnacle of the Google search engine, thanks to your interest. The response throughout the world is....
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I thought it would be good to publish what others say regarding Alexander H. Findlay being "the Father of American Golf". I invite you to examine these sites yourself. If you find others please let me know and I will include them on this page.
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Who really is the Father of American Golf?
Is it David Deas, C.B. MacDonald, John Reid, Joseph Oil Fox, Donald Ross, Francis Ouimet, Robert Lockhart. Indeed there many standing in line for the title, but who really qualifies?
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Alexander H. Findlay, a Scottish immigrant to the United States in early 1887, became the first man on record - April 4, 1887 - to construct a golf course and play a round of golf, with his partner Edward Millar, over the six-hole layout. This first authenticated golf course was located on the Merchiston Ranch in Nance County, Nebraska, some 130 miles west of Omaha. The course was played on during the three-year period from 1887 through 1889 by Findlay, Miller, the Ranch cowboys and visitors and witnessed by other distinguished guests from out of the pages of history including William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) and the Sioux Indian Chiefs, Sitting Bull and Rain in the Face.
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In 1886 there were only 38 states in the union. There were no golf courses to be found. The oldest state was only 99 years of age, Delaware. Colorado was formed as a state to the union in 1876. It would be two years before North and South Dakota would be admitted. Nebraska was only admitted as a state in 1867. 19 years previously. But it was here that the first Golf Course in the United States was laid out and played on.
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Willie Anderson's golf ball lay between Findlay's ball and the hole. Findlay was stymied, which meant in those days before balls were marked to give opponents a clear line to the cup while putting, he had to play around Anderson's ball. What did Findlay do? Read the entire article and be amazed.
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We hear of many places claiming priority in the game of Golf. The first recognized Golf Club was at St. Andrews-on-the-Hudson, New York, fathered by Robert Lockhart and John Reid, two sturdy Scots late in the year 1888. Mr. Reid was a staunch friend of mine; he has passed on to the Elysian Heights. Many times and oft we have discussed the theme of Golf; he was proud to know of my game in Nebraska very early in the spring of 1887. To know him was to love him; he has left two worthy sons in John and Archie to carry on the good work. May the green sod rest lightly over his brow, as lightly, at least, as he dealt with it. He was a man.
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