Willie Tucker

William Henry Tucker, Sr. (15 August 1872 – 6 October 1954) was an American professional golfer and golf course architect of English birth. Tucker placed seventh in the 1896 U.S. Open, held 18 July at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

Although a fine golfer, the bulk of his career would not be spent as a tournament player but rather as a golf course architect.

Early life Tucker was born in England on 15 August 1872. He was the son of William Henry Tucker and Katherine Dunn who had married in Scotland earlier in 1872. Katherine was daughter of Willie Dunn, Sr. and the sister of Tom Dunn and Willie Dunn. William Henry Tucker was a gardener from Devon. After being widowed, Katherine also emigrated to the United States and lived with Tucker. She was still alive in 1930.

Tucker had three younger brothers, Samuel, John and Thomas, who also emigrated to the United States. His brother John Dunn Tucker was the first professional at Pinehurst and designed the second nine holes of the number 1 course.

As a youngster Tucker was taught how to play golf by his father, a green keeper at Wimbledon Common Golf Club. He also became a proficient sod roller but rather than golf course maintenance he yearned for a career as a professional golfer. He emigrated to the United States in 1895 and went to work with his brother Sam who was the professional at St. Andrew's Golf Club in Yonkers, New York.

Tucker was one of the early pioneers in American golf course architecture. He designed at least four courses in the Queens, New York, area – including Douglaston Golf Club and Clearview Golf Club – and in the American midwest at Salt Lake City, Utah, and courses as far west as Washington state. In 1895 he designed the original Denver Country club course which today is Overland Park golf course, the oldest golf course west of the Mississippi. He built a golf course at the University of New Mexico

Family Tucker was married to Annie Ada, née Jeal (1873-1951). They had a son, Willie Tucker, Jr., who was also a golf course architect.

Death and legacy Tucker died on 6 October 1954 in Albuquerque, New Mexico.