Herbert Leeds

For the American film director, see Herbert I. Leeds.
Herbert Leeds
— Golfer —

Leeds, c. 1896
Photo courtesy Ian Andrew's "Caddyshack"
Personal information
Full name Herbert Corey Leeds
Nickname Papa
Born (1855-01-30)January 30, 1855
Boston, Massachusetts
Died September 29, 1930(1930-09-29) (aged 75)
Hamilton, Massachusetts
Nationality  United States
Spouse None
Children None
Career
College Harvard University
Status Amateur
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament DNP
U.S. Open T7: 1898
The Open Championship DNP
PGA Championship DNP

Herbert Corey Leeds (January 30, 1855 – September 29, 1930) was an American amateur golfer and golf course architect. Leeds tied for eighth place[1] in the 1898 U.S. Open held at Myopia Hunt Club in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, a golf course of his own design.[2][3][4] The U.S. Open was played at the Myopia Hunt Club four times, in 1898, 1901, 1905, and 1908.[1]

Early life

Leeds was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on January 30, 1855 to James Leeds (1806–1875) and Mary Elizabeth Fearing (1822–1916). He was the youngest of six children.[5] He graduated from Harvard University where, in addition to completing his Bachelor of Arts studies in 1877, he played baseball.[3] Leeds was born into a wealthy family and was a life-long sportsman, being adroit at both sailing and golf.[4]

Leeds, who graduated with the Harvard class of 1877, stands back row far left. Future major league pitcher Jim Tyng stands back row second from right.

It was no accident that he played so well at Myopia Hunt Club—he designed the course himself in 1894 and worked there for 30 years.[3] And he would go on to build several other layouts in his career as a golf course architect. He also designed the private Bass Rocks Golf Club[6] in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the Kebo Valley Club[7] in Bar Harbor, Maine. Also appearing on his dossier is the Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken, South Carolina, completed in 1895.[4][8] He was a member of the USGA executive committee in 1905.[4]

Myopia Hunt Club

His course at Myopia Hunt Club measured 6,335 yards and within the confines of the course Leeds made certain that pars would not be easy, let alone birdies. Golfers were challenged with myriad features on the course such as tall mounds, numerous deep sand traps, long blind carries, deep swales, and extremely quick greens. For good measure Leeds added multi-tiered greens and deep gnarly rough.

To further menace the players' wayward shots he added a pond and a paddock. The golf course was so difficult that in the 1901 U.S. Open not a single professional in the field was able to break 80 in any round. Willie Anderson's 331 for four rounds is a record that has stood for 114 years and counting and remains the highest winning score ever in the U.S. Open.[3]

Death

Leeds died on September 29, 1930, at the age of 75. He was a life-long bachelor, never marrying. He was interred at Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Massachusetts.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Brenner, Morgan G. (2009). The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008. 1. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3360-5.
  2. ↑ "Member Clubs: Myopia Hunt Club". mgalinks.org. Retrieved July 27, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Labbance, Bob. "Myopia Hunt Club". Links. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Andrew, Ian. "Architect #24 - Herbert Leeds". thecaddyshack.blogspot.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  5. 1 2 "Herbert Corey Leeds". findagrave.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Bass Rocks Golf Club". worldgolf.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Kebo Valley Club". worldgolf.com. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Palmetto Golf Club History" (PDF). palmettogolfclub.net. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
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