James Braid

1870 - 1950

Golfer and gold course designer. Born at Elie, Braid became a joiner in St. Andrews, where he was able to indulge his love of golf. He moved to England in 1893 to work as a club-maker, however he quickly became a golf professional, and was one of the founders of the Professional Golfer's Association (PGA).

His golfing achievements were remarkable, winning a record five open championships over a period of ten years, including Muirfield (1901), Prestwick (1908) and St. Andrews (1910). He was runner-up on three further occasions. Braid was also in demand as a designer of golf courses, laying out as many as 200 around Britain. He is often credited as the 'inventor' of the dog-leg hole.

Braid was inducted as one of the first members of the Scottish Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

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