Arthur Lees
Encyclopedia
Arthur Lees was an English professional golf
er who played from the 1930s to 1960s. He was a member of four Great Britain Ryder Cup
teams in the late 1940s and 1950s, and won several tournaments in Europe during his career. In addition, he spent nearly 30 years as the head professional of Sunningdale Golf Club
, holding the position until he was almost 70 years old.
at Lees Hall Club in Sheffield
. When the player he worked for was practicing, Lees would hit balls to him with a golf club. At the age of 15, the club hired Lees as an assistant pro. He later accepted a job as a playing professional in Czechoslovakia, staying there until 1935. That year, he went back to Sheffield and began working at a club in Dore and Totley
. He also found success in local tournaments in 1935, winning Yorkshire's open and pro golf championships. Lees made his first of 16 appearances in The Open Championship
in 1935
, finishing in a tie for 41st. In 1938, Lees recorded a third-place finish in the Irish Open
, having once held the lead; he also finished second in a tournament in Southport
. The following year, he held a share of the lead in the same tournament after three rounds, having posted scores of 69–72–74. Another 72 in the final round gave Lees the victory by two strokes over Reg Whitcombe
. Prior to the Second World War, he added a pair of second-place results at the Czech Open and German Open
.
team. Lees' first Ryder Cup match
was in foursomes
, where Henry Cotton was his partner against the team of Porky Oliver and Lew Worsham
; the British team lost 10&9. He was also defeated in singles play, by Byron Nelson
, in the Americans' 11–1 victory. Also in 1947, Lees won the British Masters tournament, and finished the Open Championship
in a tie for sixth place, having held a share of the lead entering the final round. Two years later, he repeated his joint sixth-place Open Championship
finish from 1947, and again played in a Ryder Cup
. This time, he won his first match, in foursomes, as he and Dick Burton defeated Lloyd Mangrum
and Sam Snead
by a 1-up margin. Lees again lost in singles play, 7&6, to Jimmy Demaret
. The following year, 1950, saw him lead following the opening round of the Open Championship
at Royal Troon; he ended the tournament tied for seventh. For the season, Lees was the second-place finisher in the British golf circuit's order of merit standings.
In 1951, Lees claimed a victory in the Penfold Tournament
and gained a place in his third Ryder Cup team. At the 1951 Ryder Cup
, he started off in foursomes, teamed with Charlie Ward
and the pair posted a 2&1 victory against the American duo of Oliver and Henry Ransom. Lees then won his singles match 2&1 over Oliver. In the 9½–2½ U.S. victory, he took part in both of Great Britain's match wins. Lees won the Penfold Tournament for the second time in 1953; despite this; he was not selected for Britain's 1953 Ryder Cup
team. He did, however, return to the British team in 1955
, at the age of 47. In team play, Tommy Bolt
and Jack Burke, Jr. defeated Lees and Harry Weetman
1-up, but Lees won the final Ryder Cup match he played in, 3&1, against Ed Furgol
. The Times
later wrote of his Cup performances, "It was an era when the United States made a habit of overpowering any British team, but Lees emerged with his head high."
, his home club, he matched the existing New Course low score with a 65. During a qualifier in Stoneham
for the News of the World Match Play
tournament—which doubled as Britain's southern championship—he shot another 65 to break a record, and won the event. In 1959, Lees won the British PGA Seniors Championship
, and in June of that year faced U.S. Senior PGA Championship
winner Willie Goggin
in a match for what was billed as "the world professional senior golf title". To boost attendance, the final 18 holes of the match were scheduled to be played at night. In what the Associated Press
called "the first twilight championship match on record," Lees lost to Goggin by a 5&3 score. Lees competed in his last Open Championship in 1963
, and continued playing golf into his eighties.
, who was 16 when Lees gave him the job. Lees remained the head pro at Sunningdale until 1977.
and had surgery on it, ultimately recovering. He died in 1992 at the age of 84.
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er who played from the 1930s to 1960s. He was a member of four Great Britain Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
teams in the late 1940s and 1950s, and won several tournaments in Europe during his career. In addition, he spent nearly 30 years as the head professional of Sunningdale Golf Club
Sunningdale Golf Club
Sunningdale Golf Club is a golf club, located approximately 30 miles to the west of London, in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England....
, holding the position until he was almost 70 years old.
Early life and career
Lees first took up golf in his youth, serving as a caddyCaddy
In golf, a caddy is the person who carries a player's bag and clubs, and gives insightful advice and moral support. A good caddy is aware of the challenges and obstacles of the golf course being played, along with the best strategy in playing it. This includes knowing overall yardage, pin...
at Lees Hall Club in Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
. When the player he worked for was practicing, Lees would hit balls to him with a golf club. At the age of 15, the club hired Lees as an assistant pro. He later accepted a job as a playing professional in Czechoslovakia, staying there until 1935. That year, he went back to Sheffield and began working at a club in Dore and Totley
Dore and Totley
Dore and Totley ward—which includes the districts of Bradway , Dore, Totley, and Whirlow—is one of the 28 electoral wards in City of Sheffield, England. It is currently represented by three Liberal Democrat councillors. It is located in the southwestern part of the city and covers an...
. He also found success in local tournaments in 1935, winning Yorkshire's open and pro golf championships. Lees made his first of 16 appearances in The Open Championship
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
in 1935
1935 Open Championship
The 1935 Open Championship was a golf competition held at Muirfield. The competition was won by Alf Perry.-External links:*...
, finishing in a tie for 41st. In 1938, Lees recorded a third-place finish in the Irish Open
Irish Open (golf)
The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
, having once held the lead; he also finished second in a tournament in Southport
Southport
Southport is a seaside town in the Metropolitan Borough of Sefton in Merseyside, England. During the 2001 census Southport was recorded as having a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England...
. The following year, he held a share of the lead in the same tournament after three rounds, having posted scores of 69–72–74. Another 72 in the final round gave Lees the victory by two strokes over Reg Whitcombe
Reg Whitcombe
Reginald Arthur Whitcombe was an English professional golfer.Whitcombe began his career at Came Down Golf Club in Dorset and served in the British armed forces during World War I. He was the professional at Parkstone Golf Club from 1 January 1928 until his death in 1957...
. Prior to the Second World War, he added a pair of second-place results at the Czech Open and German Open
German Open (golf)
The German Open was a men's golf tournament. It was first staged in 1911 when the winner was Harry Vardon. The following year the champion was another of the Great Triumvirate of late 19th and early 20th century British golfers, John Henry Taylor. The tournament was then cancelled for over a decade...
.
Ryder Cup years
In September 1947, Lees was selected for Great Britain Ryder Cup1947 Ryder Cup
The 7th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Portland Golf Club in Portland, Oregon, marking a resumption of the tournament after World War II forced its cancellation from 1939 to 1945. The United States overwhelmed the British team by winning the contest by a score of 11–1...
team. Lees' first Ryder Cup match
Match play
Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...
was in foursomes
Foursome (golf)
A foursome, also known as alternate shot, is a type of match in the sport of golf.Golfers compete in teams of two, using one ball, and taking alternate shots until the hole is completed. Team members also take turns in teeing off on each hole, i.e...
, where Henry Cotton was his partner against the team of Porky Oliver and Lew Worsham
Lew Worsham
Lewis Elmer Worsham, Jr. was an American professional golfer.Worsham was born in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. In 1947, he won the U.S. Open by defeating Sam Snead in an 18-hole playoff at the St. Louis Country Club in Clayton, Missouri after the two men had finished tied at 282 in regulation....
; the British team lost 10&9. He was also defeated in singles play, by Byron Nelson
Byron Nelson
John Byron Nelson, Jr. was an American PGA Tour golfer between 1935 and 1946.Nelson and two other well known golfers of the time, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead, were born within seven months of each other in 1912...
, in the Americans' 11–1 victory. Also in 1947, Lees won the British Masters tournament, and finished the Open Championship
1947 Open Championship
The 1947 Open Championship was a golf competition held at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake. The competition was won by Fred Daly.-Final leaderboard:-External links:*...
in a tie for sixth place, having held a share of the lead entering the final round. Two years later, he repeated his joint sixth-place Open Championship
1949 Open Championship
The 1949 Open Championship was a golf competition held at Royal St George's Golf Club. The competition was won by Bobby Locke.-Final leaderboard:-External links:*...
finish from 1947, and again played in a Ryder Cup
1949 Ryder Cup
The 8th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Ganton Golf Club in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England.The United States team won the competition by a score of 7 to 5 points.-Format:The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point...
. This time, he won his first match, in foursomes, as he and Dick Burton defeated Lloyd Mangrum
Lloyd Mangrum
Lloyd Eugene Mangrum was an American professional golfer. He was known for his smooth swing and his relaxed demeanour on the course, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Icicle".Mangrum was born in Trenton, Texas...
and Sam Snead
Sam Snead
Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S...
by a 1-up margin. Lees again lost in singles play, 7&6, to Jimmy Demaret
Jimmy Demaret
James Newton Demaret was an American professional golfer. He won 31 PGA Tour events in a long career between 1935 and 1957, and was the first three-time winner of the Masters....
. The following year, 1950, saw him lead following the opening round of the Open Championship
1950 Open Championship
The 1950 Open Championship was a golf competition held at Royal Troon Golf Club. The competition was won by Bobby Locke.-Final leaderboard:-External links:*...
at Royal Troon; he ended the tournament tied for seventh. For the season, Lees was the second-place finisher in the British golf circuit's order of merit standings.
In 1951, Lees claimed a victory in the Penfold Tournament
Penfold Tournament
The Penfold Tournament was a golf tournament on the European circuit/European Tour. It was played from 1932 to 1974 at a variety of courses. The purse for the 1974 event was £11,388....
and gained a place in his third Ryder Cup team. At the 1951 Ryder Cup
1951 Ryder Cup
The 9th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina.The United States team won the competition by a score of 9½ to 2½ points.-Format:The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point...
, he started off in foursomes, teamed with Charlie Ward
Charlie Ward (golfer)
Charles Harold Ward was a prominent English golfer of the 1940s, winner of the British Order of Merit in both 1948 and 1949, and twice finishing third in The Open Championship, in 1948 and 1951...
and the pair posted a 2&1 victory against the American duo of Oliver and Henry Ransom. Lees then won his singles match 2&1 over Oliver. In the 9½–2½ U.S. victory, he took part in both of Great Britain's match wins. Lees won the Penfold Tournament for the second time in 1953; despite this; he was not selected for Britain's 1953 Ryder Cup
1953 Ryder Cup
The 10th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Wentworth Club in Virginia Water, Surrey, England.The United States team won the competition by a score of 6½ to 5½ points.-Format:The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point...
team. He did, however, return to the British team in 1955
1955 Ryder Cup
The 11th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Thunderbird Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.The United States team won the competition by a score of 8 to 4 points.-Format:The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point...
, at the age of 47. In team play, Tommy Bolt
Tommy Bolt
Thomas Henry Bolt was an American professional golfer.Bolt was born in Haworth, Oklahoma. He served in the United States Army during World War II and turned professional in 1946. He worked as a caddie and club professional in Shreveport, Louisiana...
and Jack Burke, Jr. defeated Lees and Harry Weetman
Harry Weetman
Harry Weetman was an English professional golfer.Weetman won many tournaments on the British PGA circuit in the pre-European Tour era and won the Harry Vardon Trophy for lowest stroke average in 1952 and 1956...
1-up, but Lees won the final Ryder Cup match he played in, 3&1, against Ed Furgol
Ed Furgol
Edward Joseph Furgol was an American professional golfer.When he was twelve years of age, Furgol injured his left elbow when he fell off a set of parallel bars. The elbow never healed correctly and Furgol was left with a crooked arm as a result...
. The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
later wrote of his Cup performances, "It was an era when the United States made a habit of overpowering any British team, but Lees emerged with his head high."
Later career
Lees set or tied multiple course records during the 1956 British golf season. At a 90-hole tournament held at Sunningdale Golf ClubSunningdale Golf Club
Sunningdale Golf Club is a golf club, located approximately 30 miles to the west of London, in Sunningdale, Berkshire, England....
, his home club, he matched the existing New Course low score with a 65. During a qualifier in Stoneham
Stoneham
-Places:Canada* Stoneham-et-Tewkesbury, Quebec, a villageUnited Kingdom* North Stoneham, a settlement and ecclesiastical parish in Hampshire* South Stoneham, a settlement and ecclesiastical parish in HampshireUnited States...
for the News of the World Match Play
British PGA Matchplay Championship
The British PGA Matchplay Championship was a match play golf tournament that began in 1903 and ran until 1979. Between 1903 and 1969, the event was sponsored by the now defunct British newspaper the News of the World, and was commonly known by the paper's name...
tournament—which doubled as Britain's southern championship—he shot another 65 to break a record, and won the event. In 1959, Lees won the British PGA Seniors Championship
PGA Seniors Championship
The PGA Seniors Championship is a European Seniors Tour golf tournament for men aged fifty and above. It was founded in 1957, and became part of the European Seniors Tour on its founding in 1992. It was played at the Royal Dublin Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland that year, but since 1993 it has...
, and in June of that year faced U.S. Senior PGA Championship
Senior PGA Championship
The Senior PGA Championship is one of the five major championships in men's senior golf. It is administered by the Professional Golfers' Association of America and is recognized as a major championship by both the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour. It was formerly an unofficial money...
winner Willie Goggin
Willie Goggin
Willie Goggin was an American professional golfer, who is notable for losing the 1933 PGA Championship to Gene Sarazen.-Tournament wins:this list is incomplete*1935 Northern California Open*1936 Northern California Open...
in a match for what was billed as "the world professional senior golf title". To boost attendance, the final 18 holes of the match were scheduled to be played at night. In what the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
called "the first twilight championship match on record," Lees lost to Goggin by a 5&3 score. Lees competed in his last Open Championship in 1963
1963 Open Championship
The 1963 Open Championship was a golf competition held at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. The competition was won by Bob Charles.-First round:-Second round:...
, and continued playing golf into his eighties.
Club pro at Sunningdale
In 1949, Sunningdale Golf Club hired Lees as its club professional. At the time, Sunningdale was still feeling the effects of the Second World War, as its membership was low. Lees improved the situation by attracting new members; The Times later wrote that he took on the role of "self-appointed recruiting agent." Lees performed his head professional duties for the club even during his playing career. One of his assistants was future professional golfer Sam TorranceSam Torrance
Sam Torrance OBE is a Scottish professional golfer and sports commentator. He was one of the leading players on the European Tour from the mid 1970s to the late 1990s, with 21 Tour wins. Torrance was a member of European Ryder Cup teams on eight occasions, from 1981 to 1995 consecutively; he was...
, who was 16 when Lees gave him the job. Lees remained the head pro at Sunningdale until 1977.
Personal life
Lees was married and had one child, a son. By 1977, he was suffering from bladder cancerBladder cancer
Bladder cancer is any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. It is a disease in which abnormal cells multiply without control in the bladder. The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that stores urine; it is located in the pelvis...
and had surgery on it, ultimately recovering. He died in 1992 at the age of 84.
Professional wins
this list is incomplete- 1939 Irish OpenIrish Open (golf)The Irish Open is a professional golf tournament on the European Tour, currently played at the end of July or early August each year. The event has been played in many locations on the island; its current home is the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club in County Kerry in southwestern Ireland...
- 1947 British Masters
- 1951 Penfold-Bournemouth Festival of Britain Tournament
- 1953 Penfold TournamentPenfold TournamentThe Penfold Tournament was a golf tournament on the European circuit/European Tour. It was played from 1932 to 1974 at a variety of courses. The purse for the 1974 event was £11,388....
- 1959 PGA Seniors ChampionshipPGA Seniors ChampionshipThe PGA Seniors Championship is a European Seniors Tour golf tournament for men aged fifty and above. It was founded in 1957, and became part of the European Seniors Tour on its founding in 1992. It was played at the Royal Dublin Golf Club in the Republic of Ireland that year, but since 1993 it has...