Robert Simpson (20 February 1862 – 1 May 1923) was a Scottish

professional golfer A professional golfer is somebody who receives payments or financial rewards in the sport of golf that are directly related to their skill or reputation. A person who earns money by teaching or playing golf is traditionally considered a "golf pr ...

, golf course architect, and club maker who played in the early 20th century. The Simpsons Golf Shop, at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland, was founded in 1883 and remains the second oldest golf shop in the world. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest club makers of all time.

Early life

Simpson was born in Elie, Scotland, in 1862. A club maker by trade, he apprenticed at age 16 in Elie under the direction of George Forrester whose club making business was located near the golf course in Elie. Simpson later worked under master club maker Robert Forgan in

St. Andrews St Andrews ( la, S. Andrea(s); sco, Saunt Aundraes; gd, Cill Rìmhinn) is a town on the east coast of Fife in Scotland, southeast of Dundee and northeast of Edinburgh. St Andrews had a recorded population of 16,800 , making it Fife's fourt ...

. He held the post of head professional at Carnoustie from 1891 to 1898. He had five brothers who were all accomplished golfers: Jack, who won the

1884 Open Championship The 1884 Open Championship was the 24th Open Championship, held 3 October at Prestwick Golf Club in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, Scotland. Jack Simpson won the Championship by four strokes, ahead of runners-up Willie Fernie and Douglas Roll ...

; and

Archie Archie is a masculine given name, a diminutive of Archibald. It may refer to: People Given name or nickname *Archie Alexander (1888–1958), African-American mathematician, engineer and governor of the US Virgin Islands * Archie Blake (mathematici ...

, who emigrated to the United States, who was a goler with eight top-10 finishes in the Open Championship. Simpson, was a famous club-maker at Carnoustie, and never left Scotland.

Golf career

Golf course architecture

Simpson was the co-designer, along with his brother Archie, of the

Royal Aberdeen Golf Club Royal Aberdeen Golf Club in Aberdeen, Scotland, was founded in 1780 and claims to be the sixth oldest golf club in the world. It was founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, and became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815 subsequently receiving r ...

course. He also assisted

Old Tom Morris Thomas Mitchell Morris (16 June 1821 – 24 May 1908), otherwise known as Old Tom Morris, and The Grand Old Man of Golf, was a Scottish golfer. He was born in St Andrews, Fife, the "home of golf" and location of the St Andrews Links, and died t ...

in a re-design of the links at Carnoustie.

Death and legacy

Simpson died in 1923 in Carnoustie, Scotland. He was renowned for his fine hand-made "bulger" woods.

Personal life

Simpson was elected to Carnoustie Town Council in 1909, serving in a variety of positions until his death.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Simpson, Robert Scottish male golfers Golf course architects Golf equipment manufacturers People from Elie and Earlsferry Golfers from Carnoustie Sportspeople from Angus, Scotland Sportspeople from Fife 1862 births 1923 deaths