Arthur Lacey
Encyclopedia
Arthur Lacey was an English professional golfer
who finished in the top ten of The Open Championship
on a number of occasions in the 1930s. He also played in the 1933
and 1937
Ryder Cup
matches, and was then selected as non-playing captain of the Great Britain and Ireland side for those matches in 1951
(while he also served as chairman of the British PGA).
Lacey's most notable victories as a player came in the Belgian Open of 1931 and 1932, and the French Open
in 1932, and he continued to be a regular high finisher in British professional events in the 1930s as the British Tour developed, winning the Dunlop tournament in 1937. In that year, he finished seventh in The Open Championship, behind winner Henry Cotton but ahead of several of that year's American Ryder Cup side, including major champions Horton Smith
, Ralph Guldahl
, Sam Snead
and Denny Shute
.
Lacey also served as a rules official, and in that capacity was involved in a controversial ruling during the final round of the 1958 Masters Tournament
. He allowed Arnold Palmer
, who was in strong contention, to play two balls when Palmer's tee shot plugged in wet turf on the 12th hole. Palmer's original attempt from the plugged lie gave him a double bogey, while he made a par with his second ball after taking a free drop, which he had had to argue with Lacey to obtain. Palmer's actual score on the hole would be decided after further discussion. Bobby Jones
ruled half an hour later that Palmer's par would count, and Palmer went on to win, ahead of a bitter Ken Venturi
, who as Palmer's playing partner lost his composure when Palmer received the favourable ruling. The incident has been debated heavily in golf circles ever since.
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who finished in the top ten of The Open Championship
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
on a number of occasions in the 1930s. He also played in the 1933
1933 Ryder Cup
The 4th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club in Southport, England.The Great Britain team won the competition by a score of 6½–5½ points. John Henry Taylor became only the second of three Team Great Britain captains to ever lift the Ryder Cup.-Format:The Ryder Cup is...
and 1937
1937 Ryder Cup
The 6th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Southport and Ainsdale Golf Club in Southport, England.The United States team won the competition by a score of 8 to 4 points. It was the first time that the host team lost the competition.-Format:...
Ryder Cup
Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
matches, and was then selected as non-playing captain of the Great Britain and Ireland side for those matches in 1951
1951 Ryder Cup
The 9th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Pinehurst Resort in Pinehurst, North Carolina.The United States team won the competition by a score of 9½ to 2½ points.-Format:The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point...
(while he also served as chairman of the British PGA).
Lacey's most notable victories as a player came in the Belgian Open of 1931 and 1932, and the French Open
Open de France
The Open de France is a European Tour golf tournament. Inaugurated in 1906 it is the oldest national open in Continental Europe and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the tour's inception in 1972....
in 1932, and he continued to be a regular high finisher in British professional events in the 1930s as the British Tour developed, winning the Dunlop tournament in 1937. In that year, he finished seventh in The Open Championship, behind winner Henry Cotton but ahead of several of that year's American Ryder Cup side, including major champions Horton Smith
Horton Smith
Horton Smith was an American professional golfer, who is best known as the first man to win the Masters Tournament.- Tournament career :...
, Ralph Guldahl
Ralph Guldahl
Ralph J. Guldahl was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the sport for three years in the late 1930s.-Early life until 1939:Guldahl was born in Dallas, Texas...
, Sam Snead
Sam Snead
Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S...
and Denny Shute
Denny Shute
Herman Densmore "Denny" Shute was an American golfer who won three major championships in the 1930s.Shute was born in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was born in England. He attended Western Reserve University , and was a member of Phi Gamma Delta. He was married on March 20, 1930 to Hettie Marie Potts...
.
Lacey also served as a rules official, and in that capacity was involved in a controversial ruling during the final round of the 1958 Masters Tournament
1958 Masters Tournament
The 1958 Masters Tournament was contested from April 3 to April 6 at Augusta National Golf Club. It was the 22nd Masters Tournament. 86 players entered the tournament and 43 of them made the cut at five-over-par ....
. He allowed Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
, who was in strong contention, to play two balls when Palmer's tee shot plugged in wet turf on the 12th hole. Palmer's original attempt from the plugged lie gave him a double bogey, while he made a par with his second ball after taking a free drop, which he had had to argue with Lacey to obtain. Palmer's actual score on the hole would be decided after further discussion. Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones (golfer)
Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level...
ruled half an hour later that Palmer's par would count, and Palmer went on to win, ahead of a bitter Ken Venturi
Ken Venturi
Kenneth Venturi is an American former professional golfer and golf broadcaster.-Early years and amateur career:Venturi was born in San Francisco, California. He learned golf from an early age, and developed his game at Harding Park Golf Course and other public courses in the area...
, who as Palmer's playing partner lost his composure when Palmer received the favourable ruling. The incident has been debated heavily in golf circles ever since.
Tournament wins
this list may be incomplete- 1931 Belgian Open
- 1932 Belgian Open, French OpenOpen de FranceThe Open de France is a European Tour golf tournament. Inaugurated in 1906 it is the oldest national open in Continental Europe and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the tour's inception in 1972....