WILLIE FERNIE
When George Strath left Troon in 1887, William Fernie took over as Professional and served the Club for 37 years. Fernie was also from a St Andrews family and won the "Open" in 1883, being runner-up in 82,84,90 and 91. He won many other tournaments and was a great player of challenge matches. On one occasion, he played the best ball of his brother George and H.S.C. Everard and beat them by 7 up and 5 to play. He was a contemporary of Tom Morris and the Parks and was a pioneer of indoor teaching. In addition to overseeing the alterations to the Old Course, he was also responsible for the design of other famous courses, which include Turnberry’s Ailsa and Arran Courses. Sadly, he died a few months after retiring in 1924.