Jimmy Prentice

James Alexander Webster Prentice (29 May 1885 – 6 June 1915 ) was a Scottish amateur golfer who played in the early 20th century. Prentice moved to South Africa and 1905 and won the South African Open in 1913. He was also four times South African Amateur Champion. He was wounded at Hooge near Ypres during World War I and died in hospital the following day.

Early life Prentice was born in Joppa, Edinburgh, the son of the Reverend Archibald and Jane Anne Prentice (nee Russell). While in Scotland he played golf at Portobello golf club and rugby for Brunstane rugby club.

Golf career Prentice emigrated to South Africa in 1905.

Prentice returned to the United Kingdom in 1912 and missed the South African championships. He played in the Amateur Championship at Royal North Devon Golf Club where he won three matches before losing a close match in the last-16 round. He entered the 1912 Open Championship but did not qualify. Later in the summer he won the Cruden Bay Amateur Tournament, beating his brother Thomas in the semi-final, and the Peterhead Amateur Tournament, this time beating Thomas in the final.

In 1913 the Open and Amateur titles were again contested in the same event. Prentice finished with a score of 304, 10 strokes again of the next amateur and beating all the professionals, to win the Open title and the Amateur Championship for the fourth time. Willie Binnie and Jack Fotheringham were the leading professionals, two strokes behind. Prentice had less success in 1914 finishing 4th in the Amateur event and well down the field in the Open contest. Prentice was wounded on 5 June 1915 at Hooge near Ypres and died in hospital the following day in Boulogne, France, aged 30.

Tournament wins (5)

1908 South African Amateur 1909 South African Amateur 1911 South African Amateur 1913 South African Open, South African Amateur