Archie Compston

Archibald Edward Wones Compston (1893 – 8 August 1962) was an English professional golfer. Through the 1920s he built a reputation as a formidable match play golfer, in an era when many professionals made more money from "challenge" matches against fellow pros, or wealthy amateurs, than from tournament golf.

Early life Compston was born in Wolverhampton.

Professional career Compston won the British PGA Matchplay Championship in 1925 and 1927. In 1928, he faced Walter Hagen, who had won the PGA Championship at match play in the previous four years, in a 72-hole challenge match, and defeated the American 18 & 17. However, when the two met again shortly afterward at The Open Championship at Royal St George's, Hagen prevailed, with Compston placing third.

In 1930, Compston nearly derailed Bobby Jones's bid for the Grand Slam at Hoylake - his third round of 68 took the lead from Jones, but inexplicably his form deserted him in the final round, and Compston shot 82 to finish down the field.

Compston played in the Ryder Cup in 1927, 1929 and 1931, defeating Gene Sarazen on one occasion.

Compston also became notable as perhaps Britain's first "celebrity" professional golfer, becoming a coach to the future Edward VIII. In late 1936, just before the abdication crisis, he took 3,000 golf balls on the steam yacht Nahlin with the uncrowned King (and Mrs. Wallis Simpson) on a cruise in the Adriatic, for the King to drive into the sea.

He was the professional at the Wentworth Club from 1945 to 1948, and later at the Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. 1930 Daily Dispatch Southport Tournament 1935 Roehampton Invitation 1945 Yorkshire Evening News Tournament

Results in major championships Note: Compston only played in The Open Championship and the U.S. Open.

NT = No tournament DQ = disqualified CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Team appearances Great Britain vs USA (representing Great Britain): 1926 (winners) Ryder Cup (representing Great Britain): 1927, 1929 (winners), 1931 France–Great Britain Professional Match (representing Great Britain): 1929 (winners, captain) England–Scotland Professional Match (representing England): 1932 (winners), 1935 (winners) England–Ireland Professional Match (representing England): 1932 (winners)