The Official Site of Alexander H. Findlay
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".
Every time I would tell my friends that my grandfather introduced the game of golf in the United States, they would scoff at me for bragging. We had mountains of articles from newspapers and magazines as well as Alex's personal notes, but all of that was boxed and eventually forgotten as we had lives to live and earnings to make. Our older brother Norman E.J. Findlay, Jr. started to compile this material and published a newspaper in the 1990's called Global Golflore, only four issues were produced before his illness consumed his health. The newspapers are quite remarkable as Norm was an excellent golf historian. After his death in 2003 I started to develop an interest in furthering Norm's work. I started to pour through this load of articles and began to see the impact that Alex indeed did have on the game of Golf here in the U.S. I have a tool that Norm did not have at his time, the Internet. It is actually amazing how much information is available if you simply take the time to research. I began noticing that everywhere I turned, Golf pro's, newspapers, sports writers, teachers, everybody was referring to Alex as the "Father of American Golf". Well, if all these folks knew this why not make it available for everyone? This is my 2nd year of putting this together along with my brother and my wife, Cece. As we find information we will post it on this site for your enjoyment. Isn't it amazing that history could be rewritten? The facts will do that, early figures in the development of Golf in this country will authenticate his place in golf's history.
Of course, I wholeheartedly will accept any information that you have regarding Golf courses he designed, anything you have regarding the history of early American Golf will be accepted. Whether Alex will be introduced into the World Golf Hall of Fame or not is something that time will tell, but for the first time we will try with a concerted effort. I hope you will enjoy the site and future articles. As I visit his remaining golf courses I will also endeavor to write about these remaining masterpieces and show his skills at designing courses that stand the test of time.
For those who have played his courses or are presently a member of one of the 125 remaining courses still in existence, you have quite a legacy. Your course was designed by the "Father of American Golf".
The site has taken on a new design to greatly enhance the user experience. All the content is broken down into five main areas: long in-depth articles, shorter stories, list of courses, Fred Findlay, and a gallery of photos. All these areas will deliver aspects of Alexander H. Findlay's life that display why he is the Father of American Golf. Alexander Findlay played a major role in shaping the golf world in America and should be recognized for doing so. For all the official information, this is your resource. If you have any questions, please use the contact form located on every page. Take a look around and let us know what you think!
Tom Heyer
Jun, 5th
Looking for copies of any sketches, plans or layouts of Alex Findlay’s body of work. Anyone have any ideas where I might find these? Alex Findlay was very underrated as a designer. I’m especially interested in golf courses in Maine
Regards,
Tom Heyer
Richard Findlay
Jun, 5th
Tom,
Working on that info. It is a project to organize those details, but if you keep posted to this web site I will do my best.
Richard Findlay
Jeff Taylor
Jun, 5th
Thanks for allowing me to play along today. Todd, CC, and you were fine playing partners and I look forward to learning more about your Grandfather’s legacy.
Regards,
Jeff Taylor
Tom Heyer
Jun, 5th
Richard,
Thanks for getting back to me. I’ll look forward to learning/seeing more of Alex Findlay’s work.
Tom
John Shimony
Jun, 5th
Sir,
You may want to add Middletown Country Club in Langhorne, PA to the list of Finlay courses per their Club History described on their website.
http://www.middletowncc.com
420 N Bellevue Ave
Langhorne, PA 19047-2142
(215) 757-6953
Charlotte Kahl
Jun, 5th
Great website !! I’d like to suggest a short personal biography be included. Born?, Migrated?, Schooling?, Married?, Cities lived?, Hobbies?, We can find a multitude of newspaper articles related to Findlay golfing - play, design, advise, but little about the man he was when at home. Thanks for the great start you have on this informative website.
Doug Pendleton
Jun, 5th
Very intersting materials and seemingly not getting the attention deserved. I am however perplexed as to the differing opions as to who designed some of these course. Ross is credited for many of the courses on your list, big name couses billed as Ross masterpieces. How did or how does this happen? How also did Alexander manage to visit design and/or build over 20 courses in 1897 alone? Not doubting, just exploring?
Royal Swan Farm
Jun, 5th
Hello! Do you have any information on whether A. H. Findlay designed the Royal Swan Golf Club he played on in the 1920’s? The course is now our family farm. MQ Riding, RSF
Eric Fishman
Jun, 5th
I am the club historian at Essex County CC in NJ. Alex Findaly was our first pro and designed our first course. Is this the same as your grandfather?
Thx
E
John Keeling
Jun, 5th
Played paxon hollow, tavistock, middletown/langhorne and, i think ,the successor courses of oak terrace (now known possibly as Talamore?) and wilmington municipal(possibly now Porky Oliver golf club in wilmington-unless they renamed it since it was known that way. Also, I was a member of Yardley CC for several years. Also, Langhorne country club was renamed Middletown country club (Langhorne, PA). I’m surprised that Mr findlay didnt design Rock Manor in wilmington De. - having played that course many times when i was young- it looks like it might have been a design of his. Wow, what a prolific designer. It would be great if there was an interclub competition among the Findly designed clubs.
regards,
John Keeling
Stanley Barnes
Jun, 5th
I have an old, veryold wood shaft golf club that I just removed the rust and it has the initials: AH Findl.
Could this possible be one of his clubs?
Stanley barnes
Beverley Aberline (nee FINDLAY)
Jun, 5th
My Great Grandfather James Alexander Findlay was the eldest brother of G. Uncle Alex. James was Wright & Ditson’s Golf Ball Maker and also laid out Golf Courses for W. & D. between January 1900 & June 1903. I am interested in your site.
Susan (Findlay) Collins
Sep, 20th
My father, Herbert Findlay, always told me that his father’s (Matthew Findlay) brother introduced golf into the US and I’ve always told that story but never had any proof! Thanks for justifying this for me!
Bob Gettis, current president of Golf Collectors S
May, 18th
Getting ready for meeting at PGA Mid-Atlantic headquarters in Stafford, VA on Saturday, May 21 2011. Richard Findlay will present information to our group about his grandfather Alex.
I’m bringing two irons for Show-n-Tell. One is marked A.H. Findlay and the other without a “d” A. Finlay! The Golf Collectors Society has over 1000 members around the world devoted to collecting golf memorabilia. http://www.golfcollectors.com
Kathleen Joan Marjoram nee Findlay
Jun, 24th
Alexander H. Findlay was my father, Regiinald Tucker Findlay’s uncle and my great uncle.
I am intrigued to read his history and would like to hear from any of his surviving relatives.
Kathleen Marjoram