Walter Travis

Although he didn't pick up the game until age 34, Walter Travis became one of the most influential figures in the early years of American golf as a champion golfer, course architect, instructor and writer.

Born January 10, 1862, in Maldon, Australia, Travis, a successful hardware businessman, had little interest in golf until a visit to England in 1896 but quickly became one of America's finest players. Nicknamed "The Old Man" because of his late start, Travis won three U.S. Amateurs, in 1900, '01 and '03. In 1904 at Royal St. George's, he became the first player from America to win the British Amateur.

In addition to his playing skills, Travis wrote about the game and founded The American Golfer magazine. He was an innovator as a course designer and instructor, and he was a pioneer in using new playing equipment.

Travis died July 31, 1927, in Denver. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1979.