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Archie Simpson

1866 – 1955

Scottish golfer, golf course designer and club maker

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About Archie Simpson

Lived 1866 – 1955 (aged 88–89). Archie Simpson was an American golfer.

Archibald Simpson (14 March 1866 – January 1955) was a Scottish-American professional golfer. He was also a golf course designer and a golf club maker. He was runner-up in The Open Championship in 1885 (won by Bob Martin), and 1890 (won by John Ball).

Early years Simpson was born on 14 March 1866 in Earlsferry, Fifeshire, Scotland, to Alexander Simpson and Mary Simpson née Stewart. His cousin was the golfer James Braid. As a boy, Simpson was the favourite caddy of Sir Alexander Grant, principal of the University of Edinburgh, and a regular at the Elie Golf Club course in Earlsferry, where Simpson grew up.

Family On 28 April 1891, he married Isabella Leslie Low in Edinburgh at the Court House by warrant of Sheriff Substitute of the Lothian and Peebles. The Simpsons had four children—Archibald, Mary, Isabella and Grace. All of their children were born between 1893 and 1906. His wife Isabella was born at Panmore Works Cottages, Barry, Carnoustie, on 21 July 1867. In the 1920s he applied for, and was granted, American citizenship.

George Low Sr. apprenticed under Simpson in his club-making business.

Golf career

Fellow professional and golf historian Horace Hutchinson speculated that Simpson was first engaged in golf at Bembridge, before removing to Carnoustie, and then several years at the end of the 19th century at Balgownie, near Aberdeen, where he partnered with Ben Sayers. during which he designed the new Murcar Links course to the north in 1909. He is credited with building at least two other golf courses at Aberdeen city's Deeside Golf Club, the Blair's Course as well as the Haughton Course.

Later years He was later a professional at Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club from 1890 to 1891, Prestwick Golf Club from 1892 to 1893, and Carnoustie Golf Links in 1891–92, 1893–94 and again in 1921, after spending 10 years in Detroit, Michigan, US.

He returned to the United States in 1922, where he designed the Vincennes Country Club course in Indiana, and became a professional member there. He later moved to Tam O'Shanter in Detroit and Clovernook Golf Club in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as working in Illinois,

Results in major championships Simpson is on the tee box and in position to hit his drive while Douglas Rolland (left) prepares to hit next . Note: Simpson played only in The Open Championship. DNP = Did not play CUT = missed the half-way cut ? = competed, finish unknown "T" indicates a tie for a place Yellow background for top-10

Team appearances England–Scotland Professional Match (representing Scotland): 1904 (tie)

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Important facts

Born
1866, Elie and Earlsferry
Birth century
Died
1955, Detroit
Occupation
Nationality
Also known as
Archibald Simpson

People in Archie Simpson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Archie Simpson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Archie Simpson?

Scottish golfer, golf course designer and club maker

When was Archie Simpson born?

Archie Simpson was born in 1866 in Elie and Earlsferry.

When did Archie Simpson die?

Archie Simpson died in 1955 in Detroit.

What was Archie Simpson's occupation?

Archie Simpson was a golfer.

What nationality was Archie Simpson?

Archie Simpson was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Archie Simpson

· Wikidata: Q4786789

· DBpedia: Archie Simpson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Archie Simpson. https://biography.guide/archie-simpson/

MLA: "Archie Simpson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/archie-simpson/.

Chicago: "Archie Simpson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/archie-simpson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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