American professional golfer. He was a professional golfer during the Golden Age of Golf in America. With a score of 302, his most impressive win was the 1907 U.S. Open on the St. Martin's course at Philadelphia Cricket Club; the winner received a trophy and $300. Competing in the U.S. Open seventeen times, he finished five times in the top-10. His first attempt was in 1902 and his last attempt was made in 1926. “Alec”, as he was called, learned the game of golf along with his older brother Donald Ross in their homeland of Scotland studying under the legendary Old Tom Morris. Both were born on St. Gilbert Street, Dornoch, Scotland before emigrating to the United States as young men; Donald in 1899 then Alec in 1900. During the Golden Age of Golf, a total of eight young golfers left Dornoch for the United States to become famous in this sport. His first position was at the Pinehurst Country Club, North Carolina where his brother was the manager. In 1903, while he was at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware, he finished second in the first Philadelphia Open. He was the golf pro at Brae Burn Country Club, near Boston, Massachusetts when he won the U. S. Open. In 1916, he was the golf pro at the newly-opened Detroit Golf Club in Michigan and remained there for 31 years. His brother Donald had designed the course at this club. His other professional wins: North and South Open in 1902, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1910, and 1915; the Massachusetts Open in 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1912; and the Swiss Open in 1923, 1925, and 1926. With his six wins in the North and South Open, he was placed him along side Jack Nicklaus and Harry Vardon who also won a PGA Tour event at least six times. Topping these three are Sam Smead and Tiger Woods; each won a PGA Tour event eight times. In the first Michigan Open in 1916, he finished second to his assistant and caddy master, 17-year-old Leo Diegel. Although he died in Miami, his body was cremated and ashes scattered on the Detroit, Michigan golf course. In various magazine articles, his birth year has been recorded as 1880 or 1881, but his birth year was 1879 according to “Births in the District of Dornoch in the County of Sutherland" (Scotland). According to his first marriage license, his parents were Murdo Ross and Lily Campbell.
American professional golfer. He was a professional golfer during the Golden Age of Golf in America. With a score of 302, his most impressive win was the 1907 U.S. Open on the St. Martin's course at Philadelphia Cricket Club; the winner received a trophy and $300. Competing in the U.S. Open seventeen times, he finished five times in the top-10. His first attempt was in 1902 and his last attempt was made in 1926. “Alec”, as he was called, learned the game of golf along with his older brother Donald Ross in their homeland of Scotland studying under the legendary Old Tom Morris. Both were born on St. Gilbert Street, Dornoch, Scotland before emigrating to the United States as young men; Donald in 1899 then Alec in 1900. During the Golden Age of Golf, a total of eight young golfers left Dornoch for the United States to become famous in this sport. His first position was at the Pinehurst Country Club, North Carolina where his brother was the manager. In 1903, while he was at Wilmington Country Club in Delaware, he finished second in the first Philadelphia Open. He was the golf pro at Brae Burn Country Club, near Boston, Massachusetts when he won the U. S. Open. In 1916, he was the golf pro at the newly-opened Detroit Golf Club in Michigan and remained there for 31 years. His brother Donald had designed the course at this club. His other professional wins: North and South Open in 1902, 1904, 1907, 1908, 1910, and 1915; the Massachusetts Open in 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, and 1912; and the Swiss Open in 1923, 1925, and 1926. With his six wins in the North and South Open, he was placed him along side Jack Nicklaus and Harry Vardon who also won a PGA Tour event at least six times. Topping these three are Sam Smead and Tiger Woods; each won a PGA Tour event eight times. In the first Michigan Open in 1916, he finished second to his assistant and caddy master, 17-year-old Leo Diegel. Although he died in Miami, his body was cremated and ashes scattered on the Detroit, Michigan golf course. In various magazine articles, his birth year has been recorded as 1880 or 1881, but his birth year was 1879 according to “Births in the District of Dornoch in the County of Sutherland" (Scotland). According to his first marriage license, his parents were Murdo Ross and Lily Campbell.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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