About Horace Rawlins
Horace Thomas Rawlins (5 August 1874 – 22 January 1935) was an English professional golfer who won the first U.S. Open Championship at Newport Country Club in October 1895. Rawlins learnt to play golf while working as a caddie at the Royal Isle of Wight Golf Club on the Isle of Wight, England, In April 1895 he travelled to Newport, Rhode Island to be the assistant to the professional there, Willie Davis. Davis had laid out a new course which was used for inaugural U.S. Open. Rawlins was the surprise winner of the championship, finishing ahead of the better known professionals, including Davis and Willie Dunn. After his success Rawlins worked as a professional at a number of golf clubs. He was married on the Isle of Wight in 1911 and with his wife pregnant with their first child he decided to settle permanently in England, making his final visit to the United States in 1912. After returning to England he played little golf. He died in Reading, Berkshire in 1935. Rawlins won $150 plus a $50 gold medal and the Open Championship Cup, which went to his club. Rawlins became the club professional at the Mid-Herts Golf Club when it opened in 1893.
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