Albert Murray (golfer)

Albert Henry Murray (September 3, 1887 — June 17, 1974) was an English born Canadian professional golfer. During his playing career, Murray became the youngest Canadian Open winner in 1908. After rewinning the Canadian Open in 1913, Murray was the 1924 Canadian PGA Championship winner. Outside of playing, Murray planned out golf courses throughout Quebec such as the Royal Quebec Golf Club and Country Club of Montreal. Among his honours, Murray was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

Early life

On September 3, 1887, Murray was born in Nottingham, England. After moving to Toronto when he was an infant, Murray was a caddie at the Toronto Golf Club between 1897 and 1902.^[1]

Career

After moving to Montreal in 1903, Murray became the youngest Canadian professional golfer while assistant to his brother Charlie Murray.^[2] While in Quebec, Murray won the Quebec Open in 1910 before reclaiming the championship in 1930.^[3] In other Canadian events, Murray won the Canadian Open twice with his 1908 and 1913 wins.^[4] With the 1908 championship, Murray became the youngest person to win the Canadian open, a record he still holds more than a 100 years later.^[5] Murray also won the Canadian PGA Championship in 1924 and the Seniors' Championship in 1939 and 1942 editions.^[6][7] In PGA Tour majors, Murray appeared three times at the U.S. Open between 1909 and 1913. His best performance was 26th at the 1912 U.S. Open.^[8]

Outside of his playing career, Murray co-founded the Canadian Professional Golfers Association in 1911 and opened Canada's first indoor golf school in the basement of the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Montreal in 1916.^[9] As a builder, Murray planned and redesigned golf courses throughout Quebec including the Country Club of Montreal and Royal Quebec Golf Club.^[10][1] In executive positions, Murray first held the position of president for the PGA of Canada between 1920 and 1921. He resumed his executive position with the PGA of Canada in 1933 and 1941.^[11]

Awards and honours

In 1974, Murray was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.^[10] His posthumous inductions include the Golf Quebec Hall of Fame in 1996, PGA of Canada Hall of Fame in 2014, and the Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.^[1][12][13]

Personal life

Murray died on June 17, 1974, in the Montreal Neurological Hospital. He was married and had three children.^[14][15]

References

1. "Albert Henri Murray (1887 - 1974)". Golf Quebec. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
2. Carroll, Dink (June 22, 1974). "The late Albert Murray made big contributions to golf here". Montreal Gazette. p. 31.
3. "Quebec Open Starts at Dixie". Montreal Gazette. August 28, 1942. p. 14.
4. "Past Champions". Canadian Open. 31 March 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
5. "Media Guide" (PDF) (Press release). Golf Canada. 2019. p. 14. Retrieved 2020-03-21.
6. "History (PGA Championship)". PGA of Canada. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
7. "History (Seniors)". PGA of Canada. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
8. Brenner, Morgan G. (2009). The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of The Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008. Vol. 1 (3 volume set ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina and London: McFarland & Company. pp. 212–17. ISBN 9780786433605. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
9. "Canadian Innovation In Sport - Golf". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. February 2017. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
10. "Albert Murray". Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
11. "Presidents". PGA of Canada Hall of Fame. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
12. "Albert Murray". PGA of Canada Hall of Fame. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
13. "Albert Murray". Canada's Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
14. "Murray, Albert H.". The Gazette (Montreal). 18 June 1974. p. 36 sec. Births & Deaths.
15. "Golf ace honored". The Gazette (Montreal). 14 February 1974. p. 36.