Golf Architect Herbert Fowler was born in North London in 1856. A gifted natural athlete, Herbert Fowler excelled at most sports but particularly cricket. At the tender age of 22, he was made a partner of a banking firm.
Herbert Fowler & His Introduction to Golf
During a business trip to Devon in 1879, Fowler first experienced golf at Westward Ho! Almost a decade later, after a successful cricket career, he would turn his attention to golf. After a visit to St Andrew's, he became a member at the Royal and Ancient Golf Club and later the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Muirfield.
Herbert Fowler's Financial Reversal - Golf's Gain?
Held by many to be an inept businessman, Fowler was on the verge of bankruptcy in the late 1890s. In 1899, Sir Cosmo Bonsor presented the idea of building a golf course in Surrey which would become known as Walton Heath Old. Following this rousing success, more remodeling and design projects followed.
Herbert Fowler & Tom Simpson
Despite it being reported in the press that Fowler was entering retirement in 1911, he had been consulted with on the New course at St Andrews which was eventually built by Harry Colt. He had also begun working with Tom Simpson at some point by 1913.
A Closer Look at Herbert Fowler
We wish to thank friend of Evalu18 and collaborator, Keith Cutten, for the material for this short biography. For a more detailed account, you can find his book, The Evolution of Golf Course Design.