Bob Pringle (golfer)

Pringle was born in Dalkeith, Scotland, in 1851. He was the son of David Pringle and his wife Mary Hilston.^[2] He learned golf by starting out as a caddie. Pringle was described as having an admirable swing, one that was technically correct and aesthetically pleasing to see.^[3] He was said to be a great stylist of the day, in the manner of Harry Vardon.^[4]

In October 1874, Pringle stunned a strong field in a four-round tournament on the Musselburgh Links. His success in winning the tournament was described in a magazine article at the time as "the whole of the 'cracks' had been vanquished by a hitherto unknown caddie, named Pringle."^[5]

Pringle's best result as a player came in the 1877 Open Championship held 6 April at Musselburgh Links, Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. Pringle played solid golf but Jamie Anderson won the Championship by two strokes. Pringle finished in second place, carding rounds of 44-38-40-40=162, and won £6.^[1]

Davie Strath and Bob Ferguson played together but Strath had a disappointing 45 in the first round which left him well behind the leaders. Ferguson, too, began in disappointing fashion but managed to salvage a 40. William Brown led on 39 with Ferguson and Jamie Anderson on 40. After two rounds, three players were level on 80: Brown, Ferguson and William Cosgrove with Anderson and Pringle only two behind. Strath was five behind on 85.

Anderson carded a 37 in the third round while Ferguson could muster only a 40 and Davie Strath scored 38. Anderson now led on 119 with Ferguson on 120 and Strath on 123. In the final round Strath took a horrendous 9 at the second hole to drop out of contention. Ferguson also had a disappointing last round and Anderson's 41 was enough to give him the Championship.

Pringle died on 8 September 1902.^[2] A "nervous affliction" affected one of his hands, ending his playing career. He died in poverty at the Inveresk poorhouse.^[2][3]