James Fairlie

Background

Fairlie was born in Calcutta, West Bengal, India, on 10 October 1809. He was the son of William Fairlie and Margaret Fairlie (née Ogilvie).

Career

Fairlie placed eighth in the 1861 Open Championship. Fairlie served as the captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of Saint Andrews and was the principal organizer of the first Open Championship held at Prestwick in 1860. In later life, as a result of his great wealth and social status, he name was often printed with the suffix "Esquire".

Fairlie enjoyed participating in steeplechase and maintained a stable with several horses.

Open Championship organizer

Fairlie was the principal organizer of the first Open Championship held at Prestwick in 1860. With the untimely death of Allan Robertson, aged 42 in 1859, Prestwick members decided to conduct a challenge the following year that would determine the land"s greatest golfer.

In a proposed competition for a "challenge belt", Fairlie sent out a series of letters to Blackheath, Perth, Edinburgh, Musselburgh and Saint Andrews, inviting a player known as a "respectable caddie" to represent each of the clubs in a tournament to be held on 17 October 1860. 1861 Open Championship

After first organizing the inaugural 1860 Open Championship, Fairlie became an entrant to actually play in the second Open Championship in 1861.

The tournament was held at Prestwick Golf Club, Ayrshire, Scotland.

lieutenant was the first that allowed amateurs, as well as professionals, to enter. Ten professionals and eight amateurs contested the event, with Tom Morris, Senior winning the championship by 4 shots from Willie Park, Senior Fairlie"s total was 184, giving him an eighth place finish in the tournament.

Competitions at Saint Andrews

The two medals have been competed for since 1836 and 1837, respectively.

While at Saint Andrews, the English illustrator and painter Thomas Hodge produced a pen and monochrome watercolor depicting Fairlie on the links in the 1860s. The painting sold on 8 July 1999 at a Christie"s auction in London, South Kensington, fetching $13,386 (£8,050).

Fairlie died on 5 December 1870 and is buried in the churchyard of Symington Parish Church, Symington, South Ayrshire, Scotland. He is best remembered as the principal organizer of the inaugural 1860 Open Championship.

Achievements

• Playing on the Old Course at Saint Andrews, Fairlie won the Silver Cross Medal in 1849, 1854, and 1860. He won the Gold Medal (King"s Medal) in 1857 and 1862. Fairlie was a friend and frequent playing partner of the Earl of Eglinton, Archibald Montgomerie, who donated the "Challenge Belt" that was awarded to the Open Championship winner. He took to the links as a youngster and quickly became an accomplished golfer. He won no prize money due to his amateur status. Fairlie served in the British military, achieving the rank of colonel.

Membership

Fairlie was a founding member of Prestwick Golf Club in 1851.

Connections

Friend:

William H.