Famous Golf Players in History
While there are plenty of famous professional golfers whom we’ve all heard of, including Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods, there are many more golfers who were actually better known for other occupations. However, their extreme passion for golf is noteworthy as these famous players likely contributed to the sport’s overall popularity and success. Here are some of the most famous golfers who were better known for their primary professions.
Politicians
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, played over 1,200 rounds of golf between 1913 and 1919, more than any other American president. The Secret Service reportedly had to follow him in rain and snow as he golfed, and he used special red golf balls to play in the winter. Apparently, though, despite his deep passion for the game, Wilson was not very good at it because of his poor vision due to myopia. The only thing that ended his golfing career was the stroke he suffered in October 1919.
Other presidents who golfed frequently included William Howard Taft, Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump.
Royalty
The game of golf was banned in an edict issued by James II of Scotland in 1457, but However, while the bans were renewed over the next several decades, Mary, Queen of Scots was an avid golf player during her reign. Controversially, she golfed after the 1567 murder of her husband, Lord Darnley. The first king or queen to play in an international contest was James VII of Scotland, although his wager with two English courtiers occurred while he was still the Duke of Albany in 1681.
Musicians
A number of popular musicians made golfing “cool” during the mid-20th century. Frank Sinatra and his fellow “Rat Pack” members were known to be avid golfers. In fact, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, another famous crooner, invented the golf beverage cart so that they could enjoy their favorite cocktails while they were out on the Desert Inn golf course in Las Vegas (now known as the Wynn Golf Course).
More current musicians who love golf include rock star Alice Cooper, rapper Snoop Dogg, and singers Harry Styles, Justin Timberlake, and Céline Dion.
Actors
Old Hollywood was practically a breeding ground for part-time golfers, with a number of acclaimed actors and comedians of the era picking up a club. Acclaimed comedian and actor Bob Hope could frequently be found on the green, as could actress Katharine Hepburn, actor Mickey Rooney, and even silent film stars like Charlie Chaplin, Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.
More recent actors who love golf include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bill Murray (renowned for his roles in golf movies like Caddyshack), Samuel L. Jackson, Matthew McConaughey, Clint Eastwood, and Michael J. Fox.
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