Virginia ’ s Unknown Architect
Fred Findlay leaves his mark with more than 40 courses throughout the mid-Atlantic by Kevin Casey
In 1962 , President John Kennedy opened a meeting at the White House with 49 Nobel Prize laureates by saying , “ I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent , of human knowledge , that has ever been gathered together at the White House , with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone .”
One could say that Virginia has had its share of Renaissance men and women , people who excelled in many different pursuits . I ’ d like to introduce you to another , albeit not in Jefferson ’ s strata , but someone worth meeting , someone who has left an indelible mark on Virginia golf .
A DIFFERENT PATH Fred Findlay was born in 1872 in Montrose , Scotland , to a career British Army family , the youngest of nine children . His mother died when Fred was still a young teen . Despite an early interest in music , Fred ’ s father insisted that he join the Army . Twenty-two years later , Findlay retired from the British Army to his native Montrose , having participated in several campaigns and , as an accomplished coronet player , served as bandmaster for Queen Victoria .
By 1908 , Findlay had developed a serious golf game , influenced no doubt by his famous older brother , Alex , who had already established a career as a leading player , course architect and — in the midst of the game ’ s first international bloom — one of its most prominent proselytizers . In Montrose , Findlay turned to careers in golf and music . The local newspaper , The Dundee Courier , wrote frequently of both his golf exploits and also carried news of city band concerts he led .
In 1909 , Findlay moved his family to Australia , in large part to improve the life of his young son Freddie , whose symptoms of tuberculosis would hopefully improve in the continent ’ s drier climate . There he joined brother Alex , who had already established his career as a course architect , first in Australia , then in America .
In Australia , Fred quickly
Born in Scotland before moving to Australia , Findlay moved to the US in 1922 and designed some of Virginia ' s most prominent courses .
proved his value as an expert in the hot “ new ” game of golf . After helping create Melbourne ’ s Metropolitan Golf Club ’ s course , he secured a position as its professional . However , son Freddie passed away at age 16 , and after several — and by all signs successful — years at Metropolitan , Findlay followed older brother Alex ’ s example and took off to America in 1922 .
USGA DIGITAL ARCHIVES
16 V IRGINIA G OLFER | J ANUARY / F EBRUARY 2023