Golfer and Course Designer. He settled in New York City in 1885 after opening an office for an Australian hardware firm and marrying a business associate's daughter. Having played golf for just two years, in 1898 he reached the semifinals of the US Amateur Championship, earning the nickname "The Old Man" to acknowledge his success despite not having played until he was 35. Travis was the first competitive golfer to train scientifically, devising drills, experimenting with equipment, and cataloging the effects of different swings. He won the US Amateur Championship in 1900, 1901 and 1903, and reached the finals in 1902, 1906, 1907 and 1908. In 1904 he became the first non-native to win the British Amateur Championship, then the pinnacle of golfing success. Golf's first American celebrity, Travis competed until 1916, and his 80 percent win rate was bested through the 1930s only by Bobby Jones (82%) and Jerry Travers (85%). Travis also planned courses, and venues he participated in designing or redesigning include four that appear in "Golfweek's" rankings of America's top 100 "classic" courses. Travis's success increased golf's popularity throughout the US and Canada, and he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1979. In 1999, "Golf World" magazine ranked Travis second in its Top Ten List of Underrated Golf Course Architects.
Golfer and Course Designer. He settled in New York City in 1885 after opening an office for an Australian hardware firm and marrying a business associate's daughter. Having played golf for just two years, in 1898 he reached the semifinals of the US Amateur Championship, earning the nickname "The Old Man" to acknowledge his success despite not having played until he was 35. Travis was the first competitive golfer to train scientifically, devising drills, experimenting with equipment, and cataloging the effects of different swings. He won the US Amateur Championship in 1900, 1901 and 1903, and reached the finals in 1902, 1906, 1907 and 1908. In 1904 he became the first non-native to win the British Amateur Championship, then the pinnacle of golfing success. Golf's first American celebrity, Travis competed until 1916, and his 80 percent win rate was bested through the 1930s only by Bobby Jones (82%) and Jerry Travers (85%). Travis also planned courses, and venues he participated in designing or redesigning include four that appear in "Golfweek's" rankings of America's top 100 "classic" courses. Travis's success increased golf's popularity throughout the US and Canada, and he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1979. In 1999, "Golf World" magazine ranked Travis second in its Top Ten List of Underrated Golf Course Architects.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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