Willie Smith (golfer)

Willie Smith (8 October 1876 – 26 December 1916) was a Scottish golfer. He won the 1899 U.S. Open.

Early life

Willie Smith was born in Dundee, Scotland on 8 October 1876. He learned to play golf in Carnoustie. His brothers Alex and Macdonald were also expert golfers.

Golf career

1899 U.S. Open

While working as a professional at the Midlothian Country Club, near Chicago he won the fifth staging of the U.S. Open in 1899, which was played at the Baltimore Country Club, Roland Park Course. He won by a margin of eleven shots, which wasn't bettered until Tiger Woods won the 2000 championship by fifteen shots. Smith's prize was $150. He played in nine U.S. Opens in total, and made the top-10 in eight of them, but he did not win again.

Western Open and California State Open

In 1899, Smith won the first Western Open in a playoff against Laurie Auchterlonie. He also won the 1900 California State Open.

Later life

In 1904, Smith moved to Mexico City to become the golf pro at the Mexico City Country Club. He was injured during the Mexican Revolution. He had refused to leave his post at the country club and was found trapped under a fallen beam after Emiliano Zapata's troops ransacked the club which they saw as a symbol of the corrupt ruling class.

William Smith

William, Willie, Will, Bill, or Billy Smith may refer to:

Academics

Arts and entertainment

Willie Smith (sprinter)

Willie Smith (born February 28, 1956) is an American athlete who was the national champion 400 metres runner in 1979-80, and won gold at the 1984 Olympics as part of the 4 x 400m relay squad.

College track career

Smith attended Auburn University. For them, he was a successful college athlete for their sports team, the Auburn Tigers. Smith arrived at Auburn as a nationally renowned high-school sprinter from his time at Uniondale High School, New York. He was Track and Field News "High School Athlete of the Year" in 1974.

Smith initially started his college career as a sprinter but graduated to the longer distance of 400 m. This change was necessitated because he suffered both from some injuries whilst running the shorter sprints and also because of emerging competition from other up-and-coming sprinters like Harvey Glance. Smith, however, was a successful enough 100 m sprinter to be an alternate for the United States 4 x 100m relay team at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. He had in fact finished fifth in the 100 m final at the United States Olympic Trials, and was placed in the third qualifying position up to 80 m of the race. . At his new distance of 400 m, Smith quickly achieved national success, winning two NCAA titles at the distance. Internationally, he won a silver at the 1977 World Student Games at 400 m.

Willie Smith (hurdler)

Willie Smith (born 20 September 1977) is a retired Namibian athlete who specialised in the 400 metres hurdles. He represented his country at the 2000 Summer Olympics failing to qualify for the semifinals.

His personal best of 49.05 (2001) is the current national record.

Competition record

References