Carnegie Clark
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Carnegie Clark (1881 - 1959) is considered to be the father of professional golf in Australia, being instrumental in founding the PGA of Australia, the first to use and introduce the Vardon grip to the nation, as well as the first to play with the ‘Haskell’ rubber wound golf ball. In 1924, Clark, widely known as ‘Neg’, became the first ‘big’ money winner in the country when he won The Sun £500 Tournament at Royal Sydney. Clark was a fine teacher and a course designer of some repute, having laid out many courses in New South Wales and Queensland over a long and distinguished career Scotland Holdsworth MacPherson Stores this did not last long as Dan headed off and James H Scott (known as ‘Jas’), Carnegie Clark was born in Carnoustie, obtained his signature on a twelve on his own to Marrickville Golf Club in who had just returned to Sydney after Scotland on the 27th July 1881, the month contract to take effect upon his 1907, a course that he had designed. nearly two decades as professional son of a fisherman and he learnt his completion of the then current deal. at the Adelaide/Royal Adelaide Golf golfing skills as a caddie on that town’s They were importers of golf equipment Clark was granted six months Club, opened a golf store together in famous links, taking up the game at and were keen for Clark to establish leave of absence during 1926 to Elizabeth Street (near King Street), the age of ten. Following on from his a golf ball and clubmaking factory for represent Australia in tournaments Sydney in 1925. ‘Jas’ acted as success as a schoolboy golfer, Clark them. He was replaced at McMillan, in Great Britain including the Open Manager, although it is known both was apprenticed to clubmaker Robert Deery & Co Ltd by JL ‘Jock’ Hutchison Championship at Royal Lytham and the Clark brothers visited the store Simpson at the age of fifteen and here of St Andrews, with whom Clark St. Annes that was won by Bobby on, perhaps, too many occasions in he was taught clubmaking and repair designed the new course for the Jones. The Club opened a subscription the eyes of their employers at Royal skills during the 12 hour work days. Australian Golf Club in 1903-05. for him and raised the sum of £450, Sydney and Killara. Clark Bros. & Scott At seventeen, Carnegie lost to Dan Hutchison later left Australia for and Carnegie wrote to thank the Club remained open for business until its Soutar in the Dalhousie Cup, however, the United States, where he was for its generosity and that he would closure in 1930 due to the effects of he would turn the tables on Soutar successful as a player, winning the uphold the Club’s honour both on and the depression. many times over their numerous battles USPGA championship in 1920 and off the field. Neg’s son, Hastings, took to come. He became one of the the British Open in 1921. He was charge of the Pro Shop at the Royal After his retirement at the age of Carnoustie ‘300’ - golf professionals long remembered as one of the two Sydney Golf Club during his absences 55, Carnegie continued to be active, and clubmakers who ventured out to ‘starters’ at the US Masters, with and later became professional at making clubs in the old workshop different parts of the world to promote Freddie McLeod. Bowral Golf Club, where he remained at his Newcastle Street, Rose Bay the game and secure their livelihoods. for over fifty years. home and giving tuition to pupils in Clark arranged employment for his backyard. From this grew the golf His unusual first name came from his his Carnoustie colleague Dan Soutar When ‘Neg’ sought a month’s leave equipment business that still bears mother’s maiden name - she was the to work as a carpenter at the new from the Royal Sydney Golf Club in his name today, although the family sister of Andrew Carnegie of Carnegie organisation and cabled him to 1929, stating his health had been poor relinquished their interests in Hall and US Steel fame, perhaps one continue on to Sydney when Dan was for some 18 months, he and Alice the 1980’s. of the richest men that ever lived. originally heading for South Africa in visited Tasmania. Whilst in Hobart, he In 1900 it was estimated that he had 1903. James Herd Scott was travelling had an attack of appendicitis which Playing career over US$100 million in the bank - with Soutar and he also continued required the removal of his appendix ‘Neg’ compiled an impressive record a very tidy sum. on to Sydney where he obtained the and he was away from the Club as a player in Australia. He was small position as Manager/Greenkeeper of for two months. in stature but solidly built and played A new country the Blue Mountains golf course. in a buttoned up jacket and tie with Clark figured his opportunities in Another reason he sought extended studded boots - in later days the jacket Carnoustie would be limited and Royal Sydney days leave was so that he could consider his was replaced by a cardigan. He was decided to emigrate to Australia, Once ‘Neg’ had completed his position. He had seen a senior official renowned for his iron play, especially arriving in Sydney during 1902 to contract at Holdsworth’s, he was of the Club in a compromising situation the mashie-niblick, and it was said fulfil a twelve month contract with approached to accept the position with one of the waitresses. Friction that he could land the ball on the McMillan, Deery & Co Ltd’s Sydney as professional at the Royal Sydney between the two men become so green with backspin so that it sat like Sports Store at 252 George Street, Golf Club’s Bondi course. Although intense, that ‘Neg’ tendered his ‘a poached egg’. The May 6, 1905 Sydney. During his tenure here, J Victor East already held the job resignation on the 1st October 1930 issue of ‘Australasian Golf Illustrated’ Clark undertook what was to become as professional at Royal Sydney, and later the official resigned as well. described Clark and his swing: known as his ‘Northern Tour’. Visiting ‘Neg’ was secured in July 1904 at The Club provided him with a final Tamworth, Armidale, Glen Innes, £1 per week - double East’s salary - subscription of £83. “Clark is short but stockily built, and his Tenterfield, Warwick, Toowoomba, supposedly with neither man having game is marked for its freedom and Ipswich, Brisbane, Casino, Grafton, seniority - so it is little wonder that Beyond Royal Sydney ease, particularly in his wooden play. Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Taree and East departed shortly thereafter! Late in 1930, Clark was appointed He swings rather slower and somewhat Newcastle, ‘Neg’ promoted the professional at Avondale Golf Club longer than most professionals, and game, gave tuition and obtained Dan Soutar turned professional at the where he remained for five years. makes utmost use of his right shoulder orders for golf clubs and balls. end of 1904 and joined Neg at Royal Earlier, ‘Neg’, his brother Walter who in a follow-on that conspicuously Sydney as co-professionals, although was professional at Killara Golf Club assists in his distance.” 74 GOLF ARCHITECTURE Left: Clark the teacher, and centre: A group of professionals at the Botany Clark demonstrates Championship of 1904 included Gil his swing - note how Martin of the Australian Golf Club far down the shaft he seated at right, and in front JL ‘Jock’ is gripping his iron. Hutchison of Massey, Harris & Co. Hutchison and Martin teamed up with Clark to design the Australian’s new Kensington Course. In his first year in Australia he brother Walter in the 36 hole match period was equal to breaking the able to play a fairly good game. I have won the 1902 Botany Competition, play final. Al Howard, golf professional magical 60 today and it lowered the taught many people to become good later to become the professional and architect describes the finale: previous course record by seven shots.” golfers, and the old adage of ‘keep Championship and in 1904, finished in your eye on the ball’ was one that I fourth place as the leading professional “Neg and his younger brother Walter Clark’s Ballarat Open final round of soon learned had flaws. You can still behind three amateurs in Hon. Michael were all square at the 36th. And so 66 included no less than eight threes, move your head and keep your eye on Scott, H R Hyland and Dan Soutar. once more down the fateful first went five of them on the back nine which the ball. So I told my pupils to play with Clark won his first Australian Open the brothers Clark and this time at the he covered in 32. He considered it the the chin - concentrate on its position Championship in 1906 at Royal Sydney, 37th, Neg’s putt for a win gave up the best round of his career, while Dan and half your troubles are over.” shooting 322 with Dan Soutar in the ghost at a most opportune moment for Soutar wrote that, “Clark played a runner-up position, the first of five him and laid itself down as a ‘dead game he might never do again in a In May of 1905, ‘Australasian consecutive second places for the stymie’ in the path of Walter’s putt. hundred years and won easily. I do not Golf Illustrated’ reported that: burly Scot.