Carnegie Clark (1881 - 1959) is considered to be the father of professional 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 . 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 . 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 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 on that town’s They were importers of Clark was granted six months Club, opened a golf store together in famous , 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 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 . 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 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 far down the 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 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. Clark’s first prize of £10 And what may you well ask is a ‘dead begrudge him his win as he played a “Since coming to Australia, Clark has went towards paying for his wedding to stymie’? In brief, the stymie rule and its game that would win every time and he been in great demand, and his pupils, Miss Alice Fullarton who was previously more fatal relation the ‘dead stymie’ could have beaten pretty well anybody.” mainly on the Sydney suburban one of the clubhouse staff at Royal became extinct some fifty years ago. courses, have made great advances Sydney. Clark’s play impressed all The rule applied to events Howard also records that, in acquiring style and resultant ability, observers, a contemporary account and the golf ball putted by player “Carnegie is credited with introducing which, without such professional advising, “he appeared to feel no A (Neg) stymied or completely blocked the Vardon grip to Australian golfers in instruction could have been attained responsibility, playing with a coolness the line of the putt of player B (Walter). 1905, but interestingly it was the in no other way.” and steadiness of a practice round, It was a case of ‘no stymie’ should second time around for Neg. His first and quite oblivious of the presence and the balls be closer than six inches. efforts at the Vardon overlap resulted in PGA of Australia applause of the crowd.” To determine this measurement a loss of form and all sorts of slices. Carnegie Clark and Dan Soutar scorecards of that period had printed Failure likewise attended Carnegie’s were instrumental in establishing the Clark won again in 1910 by a on them ‘this card measures six inches first tests in 1903 with the new fangled ’s Association of whopping 11 shot margin with a across’. However, should the distance rubber wound golf ball. Probably trying Australia. Its first meeting in 1911 was score of 306 at Royal Adelaide and in separating the two balls exceed to give it his best shot, Neg promptly held in Carnegie’s pro shop at Royal 1911 saw off Fred Popplewell by a six inches, then the stymie was said hooked it into a nearby lake and thus Sydney, sited to the left of the first single stroke to win once more over to be ‘laid’. established the precedent whereby all . By this time the Scottish born his beloved Royal Sydney links. He new balls automatically go to water. professionals were being joined by was still very competitive in the early The dreaded ‘dead stymie’ occurred Dan Soutar and to a lesser extent home grown ones and the PGA 1920’s, as shown by his runner-up in this match when Neg missed his Carnegie, introduced Australian golfers became dedicated to furthering placing behind Alex Russell in the 1924 putt for a birdie three but in doing so to the famous “Carnoustie Dip”, a tournament opportunities and proper Australian Open at Royal Melbourne. completely blocked Walter’s putt for a mannerism copied, but seldom training for its members. Carnegie also Clark also won the Australian PGA birdie three and a win. The ironic twist perfected by their disciples. The ‘dip’ fought strongly for improved conditions Championship in 1908. The Australian to this ‘dead stymie’ was that Walter, action, a downward drop of the knees for professionals with their employer Golfers Handbook of 1960 suggests with a short putt to win the Sun £500, coming in to the shot, enabled them clubs, and at Royal Sydney, Clark that ‘Neg’ also won the Australian attempted to chip over Neg’s ball, but to ‘pick’ the ball off from closely endured a number of battles to allow PGA Championship in 1904, 1905, in the ensuing ‘knock on’ it was Neg’s mown or tight lies.” him the right to sell golf balls, teach 1907, 1909 and 1912, however, the ball that rolled into the cup for a birdie members’ children and to get a fair records held by the PGA suggest three. Renowned sports cartoonist Teaching retainer. In 1921 he was on a base Dan Soutar won the 1905 and 1907 of the day, cricketer Arthur Mailey, Carnegie was a fine and respected retainer of £75 at Royal Sydney, while Championships and that no records profiled Neg gazing into outer space teacher with the necessary patience to his counterpart at Royal Melbourne exist for 1909 and 1912. murmuring ‘Alas - my poor brother’.” instruct beginners. Clark’s teaching was on £106 per year. This no doubt philosophy was fairly straightforward: gave Carnegie the to increase The 1924 The Sun £500 Tournament Al Howard also described some “Golf can be made the simplest game in his income by other means, through at Royal Sydney was at the time of Carnegie’s playing exploits: the world and I do not agree that the clubmaking, lessons and course Australia’s richest ever professional “One brilliant highlight in a long career average golfer needs to practice all the design. purse. It was a match play event and was Carnegie’s 66 in a match at time to play a reasonable game. Once Carnegie was up against his younger Ballarat in 1907. That score in that his swing is grooved, he will always be

GOLF ARCHITECTURE 75 Family to Royal Sydney in 1904 and in fair Carnoustie bound for Sydney, sadly Carnegie passed away on 3rd ‘Neg’ married Alice Fullerton shortly weather and foul he trod that path Jack and Reg were killed in the First February 1959 at the age of 78. Sadly, after his first Australian Open triumph for the next twenty seven years.” World War. His sons Hastings and immediately after Carnegie’s passing, of 1906 and they lived in a cottage It was close to the Rose Bay Hotel Keith became professional golfers, his wife Alice burned all the records named ‘Keith’, located at 45 Newcastle as well, where ‘Neg’ would ensconce with Keith working at Avondale GC of his life - diaries, newspaper articles, Street, Rose Bay where they raised himself at 5pm each day to enjoy a after the Second World War, while letters and anything she could lay her two daughters - Jesse and Nancy, and beer or two, sitting in the same chair Hastings Clark was the long time hands on. His sons were horrified three sons - Hastings, Carnegie Jnr. for close to 50 years. professional at Bowral Golf Club. by her actions and a good deal of and Keith. The house was an easy Carnegie Jnr., who commenced unique golf history was lost forever. walk to the golf course, described by Neg eventually brought his entire the club manufacturing business Carnegie Jr. and Keith operated the Al Howard as “but a short niblick left of family out to Australia - father, ‘Carnegie Clark and Sons’, was a clubmaking business from a shed in the 1st green. The well worn track that mother, brothers and sisters. Neg’s good amateur player and his son their father’s backyard and continued meanders through the old paper barks brothers John (known as ‘Jack’), Peter is President of CPM Golf here after Carnegie’s death up until left of the first fairway was first blazed Reginald (known as ‘Reg’) and Corporation based in Manila, 1980 when their mother died. by young Neg when he was appointed Walter (known as ‘Watty’) departed Philippines.

Above: Page from Above: Layouts of Royal ‘Australasian Golf Sydney’s courses 4, 5 and 6 Illustrated’ of May laid out by Carnegie Clark. 1904, showing Hutchison’s plan Left: Carnegie (centre with for the Australian his brother Walter on the Golf Club’s two first tee at Royal Sydney, new courses. scene of their dramatic in 1924.

Above: A natural bunker on the Kensington Links of the Australian Golf Club as recorded in 1905. The course was laid out by Carnegie Clark, Gil Martin and . Designs Both Hutchison and Clark expressed Liverpool Golf Club asked Clark to Clark kept busy with a number of new ‘Neg’ was requested to design his the view that their new Kensington links design them a 9 hole course in1904 on courses in New South Wales, including first course in Australia shortly after would be superior to the old Botany the eastern bank of the George’s River. the West Wyalong Golf Club’s first 9 his arrival. It was a nine hole course layout. holes (1920), Port Macquarie Golf for the Blue Mountains Golf Club - In 1903 Clark journeyed north Club (1921), Mittagong Golf Club now known as Leura Golf Club, and Clark was approached by the to Queensland and laid out a new (1924), Dubbo Golf Club (1925-6), was opened for play in November Cooma Golf Club in 1903 to design course for the Brisbane Golf Club returning in 1926 to West Wyalong to 1902. Other requests for designs them an 18 hole course. The property at Yeerongpilly that opened in May of design their additional 9 holes. were soon forthcoming. bounded the Cooma Creek and no 1904. This 18 holer was at the time doubt Carnegie used the creek as the first course considered to be ‘full The GA7 feature on Dan Soutar A course for the Honourable a distinctive for many of its length’ in Queensland. Scots were describes the design that Soutar Company of Parramatta Golfers holes, as he had done at Parramatta. prominent in the Brisbane GC, like undertook in conjunction with his (the name no doubt unashamedly The sand greens were only 18 feet many others in the early days of golf in good friend Carnegie Clark for the adopted from the Honourable (6 metres) in diameter, making a difficult this country, and this no doubt had an Pymble Golf Club in 1925. Soutar Company of Edinburgh Golfers) was target to hit and these were fenced off influence on their decision to employ also prepared a site report for the laid out in Parramatta Park by Carnegie with post and rail fencing to keep the the Carnoustieman to design their new New South Wales Golf Club on in1902. The Club received permission horses and cattle at bay that grazed layout. Dr Mackenzie later prepared a its planned course at La Perouse, from the park trustees to lay out a on the common. The Club moved redesign of the Yeerongpilly course however, as the site had moved slightly course with the greens fenced off, but after WW2 to a new course laid out during his famous Australian visit of the Club required another design. no play was allowed on Sundays. The by Clark’s old Carnoustie colleague, 1926, although the Club was not Soutar was apparently unavailable park featured natural waterways that James Herd Scott. particularly enamoured with his advice and so Carnegie Clark and ‘Jas’ Scott ran from north to south and they were and implemented little of his ideas. were engaged to prepare the design used by Clark to such advantage in the As a designer, Carnegie Clark will be that appeared in the company’s layout that bunkering was considered primarily remembered for the design While in Queensland in 1903, prospectus in March 1926. This was unnecessary. Interestingly, the course work he undertook at his beloved Carnegie also advised the Ipswich an opportunity missed for Clark and only sported 17 holes, with the 2nd Royal Sydney. The course had Golf Club to convert their unsatisfactory Scott, as their design never eventuated. hole that returned to the clubhouse many incarnations in its early days as ‘chipped’ greens (a form that was later Once the Club had heard from Royal being played twice. By 1935 the Club various land parcels were obtained and superseded by oiled sand greens on Melbourne that Dr Mackenzie was had ceased to exist. others sold off. This involved Carnegie most country courses) to couch grass. available for consultation in late 1926, designing no less than three distinct Tamworth Golf Club (1906), Moree they engaged him to review their The Australian Golf Club was formed layouts for the Club, the No. 4 course Golf Club (1907), and Moore Park plans for the new course. One can in 1882 and is recognised as the oldest in 1904, the No. 5 course in 1909 and Golf Club’s first 9 holes (1913), were all only wonder what a Clark and Scott club in the country still in existence. the No. 6 course in 1911. The course designed by Clark. At Moore Park, design over that wonderful La Perouse When the Club could not extend the extent gradually moved south over Carnegie was approached by the terrain would have been like. lease of the property at Botany where this time, from Bondi into Rose Bay, Deputy Town Clerk of Sydney to their course was sited, a new parcel with the greatest change being the inspect the site with a view to building In the late 1920’s and early 1930’s of sandy ground was purchased at acquisition of the market garden a 9 hole course where the working golf course construction in Australia Kensington for £60 an acre. Clark later land that was farmed by Chinese man could play the game. This was a virtually ceased due to the economic lamented the loss of the Botany layout, immigrants and known as the Chinese passion for Carnegie and he later said effects of the Depression. It wasn’t until describing it as “easily the best links in Gardens. This allowed the expansion that, “All work done by me for Moore the mid 1930’s that Clark’s design work Australia at that time.” Gilbert Martin of the No. 6 course up to a length of Park was free as it was my sincere recommenced, with a redesign of the had been appointed professional 6045 yards (5500 metres) from the wish that golf be given the chance it second nine of the Inverell Golf Club’s at the Australian’s Botany course in 5091 yards of the No. 4 course (4625 so richly deserved.” The course course in 1934. Walcha Golf Club 1902 having started at the Club as metres). In 1905 ‘Australasian Golf opened in May 1913 and was soon was designed by Carnegie in 1937, Willie Hunter’s assistant 1899, and Illustrated’ reported that Dan Soutar attracting around 1350 rounds per and he followed this with a layout for in February 1904 he approached assisted Clark in laying out the week. Clark extended the course the Coffs Harbour Golf Club’s first both Carnegie Clark and JL ‘Jock’ courses at Royal Sydney: to 18 holes in 1922. 9 holes in 1938-39. Hutchison to assist him in designing this new layout for his club. The trio “Latterly he has been, with Soutar, put His designing activities were halted It has also been established that submitted plans for an 18 hole course in charge of the Rose Bay links, and his due to the First World War and it was ‘Neg’ designed the Waratah Golf of over 6,000 yards, together with a advice and attention will doubtless help not until 1920 that he recommenced Club’s layout in Newcastle, the ladies 9-holer of over 2,000 yards. materially in the completion of the two design work by laying out the Kempsey Golf Club’s layout and the After some minor adjustments, their courses that the Royal Sydney Club Queensland Golf Club’s first 6 holes Bowral Golf Club’s second 9 holes plans were approved by the Club and has so auspiciously begun.” in 1920 (later to become Royal although some suggest he had work commenced, with the new layout Queensland). The course was later designed the entire course. After the open for play in early 1905. It was In the Southern Highlands of NSW, extended to 18 and the Club also took Second World War, Clark designed reported in 1904 that all 27 holes had Carnegie designed the Moss Vale advice from Dr Mackenzie in 1926. a new 18 hole course for the been laid out without the need for any Golf Club’s new course in 1904 for Bowral Country Golf Club in the crossing of holes, which was obviously a fee of £11-3-00, and gave lessons Southern Highlands in 1948-49. quite commonplace at this time. while he was there for three shillings and sixpence.

GOLF ARCHITECTURE 77 The Man and his Legacy Carnegie Clark was described by his grandson Peter as being a genuinely kind old man who loved children and being with them. Peter and his cousin Joanne spent a lot of time with their grandfather in the 1950’s and he recalls Carnegie giving him golf lessons and urging him to play golf.

Carnegie was the first of the Carnoustie professionals to emigrate to Australia and these men imparted their love of golf, made clubs, taught the game and laid out courses wherever they went. Clark may not be remembered as the most outstanding golf course designer in Australia, but he laid out many Above:Jock Hutchison in 1921, the year of his British Open competent courses over the course victory, and Jock Hutchison in action - he was from St Andrews of his career. He will, though, be and spent some years in Australia as a professional, combining primarily recalled as a disciple of golf with Clark and Martin to design the Australian’s new course. who spread the ‘good news’ about He left Australia for the US and had a successful playing career, this great game to many Australians - winning the 1920 USPGA and the 1921 British Open. Below: and you cannot ask more of a Jock (left) and Freddie Macleod were golfer than that. Clark as the elder statesman. popular starters at The Masters for many years, and Jock in his older days. Al Howard’s words provide a fitting References and sources: The Royal Sydney Golf Club - The First Hundred Years (1993) by Colin Tatz and Brian Stoddart. epitaph for Carnegie Clark and his Allen & Unwin; Peter C Clark, grandson of Carnegie and son life’s journey in the service of golf: of Carnegie Jnr. Manila, Philippines; Larry Canning, former Professional Bowral Golf Club; Al Howard, Retired professional and golf course architect, Narrabeen, NSW; The Story of Golf “In 1926 Fred Popplewell, Harry Sinclair, in New South Wales (1988) by David J. Innes, New South Wales Golf Association; Mrs Carnegie Clark Jnr., Daughter-in- Tommy Howard and Carnegie made a law, Rose Bay, NSW; The Australian Golfer’s Handbook by Muir MacLaren (1960); One Hundred Years of Golf at Manly by pilgrimage to the British Open and his Manly Golf Club and Jeannie Walker (2003); Marcelle Jacob, beloved Carnoustie. That was where NSW Department of Sport and Recreation Academy of Sport - Hall of Fame, Homebush; Avondale Golf Club An Illustrated it all began for young Neg as a wee History 1927-1993 by Jill McCreedy and Pamela Marr (1994); laddie in the 19th Century and in 1959, Pro Golf - Out of the Rough; Illustrated History of Professional by Colin de Groot and Jim Webster, 1991; nigh to the first green at Royal Sydney, The Professional Golfers Association of Australia for the use was where it all ended for that of photographs; Australian Golf - the Game and the Players by Jack Pollard, 1990; Hedley Ham, for the provision Grand Old Man of Golf.” of early information on Clark.

by John Scarth and Neil Crafter