Carnegie Clark

Despite being born in Scotland, Carnegie Clark was one of the most formative and influential figures on the Australian golf landscape. A talented golfer as a boy, he migrated to Australia in 1902 at the age of 21 to further his golfing career.

Originally playing at his hometown course of Carnoustie Golf Course, Clark’s move to Australia was immediately successful. Within a year of landing on the shores of Sydney, he was tasked with designing the Blue Mountains Golf Club. A regular on the Australian professional circuit, arguably his greatest legacy was built in 1904. The Australian Golf Club in Rosebery – considered Australia’s oldest since its founding in 1882 – found a new location and was architected by Clark in 1904 (with aid from Jock Hutchinson and Gilbert Martin). The club has since hosted 20 Australian Opens and is a consistent top 25 in Australia.

Amongst the 20-plus courses designed by Clark is Royal Queensland, host of three Australian Opens, and Royal Sydney. Clark would redesign Royal Sydney in 1904, 1909, and 1911, integral in its placement as one of Australia’s premier clubs.

As a golfer, Clark won the Australian Open in 1906, 1908, and 1910. The country’s first ‘big money’ tournament, ‘The Sun’ held at the very Royal Sydney course he designed, was won by him in 1924 with a small-fortune prize of £500.

In 1911, he organized a workshop and tutorial day. This would go on to found the Professional Golfers Association of Australia. Founding president and treasuring from 1920 to 1921.

Carnegie Clark died in 1955 at the age of 77.

Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnegie_Clark