Henry Cotton (golfer)

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Henry Cotton
Henry-Cotton 1931.jpg
Personnel
Nation: EnglandEngland England
Career data
Professional since: 1924
Tournament wins: 36
Major wins : 3 (1934, 1937, 1948)
Awards: Knight Commander of the Most Honorable Order of St. Michael and St. George (1988)

Sir Henry Thomas Cotton (born January 26, 1907 in Holmes Chapel , Cheshire , † December 22, 1987 ) was an English professional golfer who was one of the world's best in the 1930s and 1940s .

Career

He began his professional career at the age of 17 and was known for his hard training, which Cotton often ended with bleeding and blistered hands.

He achieved fame and reputation during the economic crisis when he won the Open Championship in 1934 and 1937 and won many titles in European tournaments in the 1930s . At the Ryder Cup he was represented in the British team in 1929 and 1937.

During World War II , Cotton served in the Royal Air Force and raised funds for the British Red Cross by holding fights and demonstrations in the game of golf. He was accepted as a member of the Order of the British Empire .

After the war, Cotton won the Open Championship a third time in 1948 and was twice more (1947 playing captain and 1953 non-playing ) as captain of the British team in the Ryder Cup .

activities

After retiring from competitive golf in the early 1950s, Cotton became a successful golf course architect and wrote ten books. He also founded the Golf Foundation , which made golf easier for thousands of children.

lifestyle

But Cotton was also a fan of the lavish lifestyle with champagne, caviar and expensive tailor-made suits. He lived in a suite in a luxury hotel for a while and later bought a property with a butler and full staff. Cotton used a Rolls-Royce in style for his travels . Sayings like: The best is always good enough for me and to be a champion, you have to be able to act like that underline this tendency.

Late honors

In 1980 Henry Cotton was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame .

Just before his death he received from Queen Elizabeth II. Promised as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George ennobled to become. After the award of the title is traditionally announced on New Year's Day, but Cotton died a few days before, he was given the "Sir" on the day of his death.

The award given annually by the PGA European Tour to the best newcomer of the season bears the name Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year Award .

Tournament victories

  • 1925: Kent Professional Championship
  • 1927: Kent Professional Championship
  • 1928: Kent Professional Championship, Croydon and District Professional Championship
  • 1930: Kent Professional Championship, Mar-del-Plata Open, Belgium Open
  • 1931: Dunlop Southport Tournament
  • 1932: Dunlop Southport Tournament
  • 1934: The Open Championship , Belgium Open
  • 1935: Leeds Tournament, Yorkshire Evening News
  • 1936: Italian Open, Dunlop-Metropolitan
  • 1937: The Open Championship , German Open, Silver King Tournament, Czechoslovak Open
  • 1938: Belgium Open, German Open, Czechoslovak Open
  • 1939: German Open, Daily Mail
  • 1945: News Chronicle Tournament
  • 1946: French Open, Star £ 1,500 tournament, Vichy Open
  • 1947: French Open, Yorkshire Evening News, Spalding Tournament
  • 1948: The Open Championship , White Sulfur Springs Invitation
  • 1953: Dunlop 2,000 Guineas Tournament
  • 1954: Penfold 1,000 Guineas Tournament

Major championships are in bold .

See also

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Cotton, Henry
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Cotton, Henry Thomas (full name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English professional golfer
DATE OF BIRTH January 26, 1907
PLACE OF BIRTH Holmes Chapel , Cheshire
DATE OF DEATH December 22, 1987