Alex Russell
Alex Russell MC (4th June 1892 - 22nd November 1961) was an Australian grazier, soldier, golfer, and golf course architect.
Alex Russell was born in Geelong, Victoria, and was sent to Glenalmond College in Scotland for his early schooling before returning to Australia, where he attended Geelong Grammar School, from which he graduated in 1911 having won distinction in both academic and sporting pursuits. He traveled to England a second time in 1912 to study engineering at Cambridge University and whilst there he married Jess Lucy Fairbairn.
Commissioned in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 9the of October 1914, Russell served on the Western Front during World War I, where he was twice wounded and won the Military Cross. After the war, he and his wife returned to Australia and lived at Sandringham in Melbourne, close to the Royal Melbourne Golf Club.
Both the Russells became enthusiastic amateur players; Alex won the Australian Open in 1924, the Australian foursomes of 1924 and 1926, and the Victorian and South Australian championships in 1925. Jess herself won the National Ladies' Foursomes in 1926 and 1927 and was runner-up in the 1927, 1930, and 1932 Ladies' Amateur Championships.
During his time as a course designer, Alex helped to design the Black Rock west golf course (opened 1931) and supervised its construction; he also designed the eastern course, as well as courses at Karrinyup in Perth, Yarra Yarra in Melbourne, and Paraparaumu Beach, near Wellington in New Zealand.
Website: https://www.ausgolf.com.au/golf-course-architects-alex-russell