The Amateur Championship
Played at Carnoustie four times, the Amateur Championship is an event which has always attracted great interest within the local community, particularly as the Dalhousie Golf Club of Carnoustie was one of the original 24 subscribers who donated the trophy in 1886.
1947 – W P Turnesa bt R D Chapman 3/2
Willie “The Wedge” Turnesa also twice won the U.S. Amateur, and played in three U.S. Walker Cup teams, captaining in 1951.
Dick Chapman had one of the greatest ever amateur careers, winning the amateur championships of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, France and Italy. He played in 4 U.S. Walker cup teams and holds the Masters record for most consecutive starts by an amateur, with 17.
1966 – R Cole (South Africa) bt R D B M Shade (Scotland) 3/2
(Final restricted to 18 holes due to mist during week)
Bobby Cole was only 18 when he won. He turned professional and came very close to winning a greater prize at Carnoustie when he missed out on the 1975 Open Championship by a single shot.
Ronnie Shade was Scotland’s finest ever amateur golfer. He won the Scottish Amateur in 1963, 1964., 1965, 1966 and 1967 and played in the Walker Cup teams of.1961, 1963, 1965 and 1967.
1971 – S Melnyk (U.S.A.) bt J Simons (U.S.A.)
Steve Melnyk had already won the U.S. Amateur in 1969 and turned professional after winning at Carnoustie. An ankle injury cut short his professional career and today he commentates for the CBS television network.
Jim Simons also turned professional and won 3 times on the PGA tour. He now competes on the Champions tour.
1992 – S Dundas (Scotland) bt B Dredge (Wales) 7/6
Stephen Dundas became the first Scottish winner for 35 years. He turned professional shortly after his victory and now works as Head professional with the Bernard Gallacher Golf Academy.
Bradley Dredge joined the European PGA Tour and has become one of the top players in Europe, winning his first event in 2003 at the Madeira Open.
