The UPGS and Fred Daly... the connection
Fred Daly MBE (11 October 1911 – 18 November 1990) winner of the 1947 Open Championship aged 36 and was the President of the Belfast Press Golfing Society, currently the Ulster Press Golf Society, for many years right up until his passing in 1990.
Fred was born in Causeway Street, Portrush on 11 October 1911, the son of Daniel and Anne Daly. His father was a blacksmith. He was the youngest of their six children. He attended a Public Elementary School in Portrush.
Fred was attached to Balmoral Golf Club for the last 45 or so years of his life and must go down as being a star, if not a superstar of British and Irish golf in his day. Fred was known and loved the world over for his ready wit and charm.
The 1947 Open Championship was the 76th Open Championship, held 2–4 July at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England. Fred Daly became the first Irish winner of the Open Championship, one stroke ahead of runners-up Reg Horne and amateur Frank Stranahan. He was runner up in 1948 and 3rd placed in 1950 and 1952. He also recorded a 4th place in 1951 and 8th in 1946. An amazing record in the Open.
He had 28 wins in total in his his professional career.In 1983 he became the 3rd golfer to enter the Texaco Hall of Fame.
‘One of the finest long iron players in the game, he could knock your hat off with a one iron at 220 yards.’ – Sam Snead
Click picture to see Fred Daly and the UPGS Tribute on YouTube by Michael Cairns......
Click picture to see the YouTube 50 years of the Press Golf Society in images, 1968 to 2018, by Michael Cairns.
Click picture to see a YouTube short film on the Fred Daly win at the 1947 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool GC.
The News of the World Matchplay Championship ( 1903-1969) and the three wins recorded by Fred Daly. The 1948 Trophy was kindly donated to the Society in 1989 to be played for on an annual basis at Royal Portrush Golf Club.
Fred’s Record
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Irish International (1936, 1937, 1938)
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11 times Ulster Professional Champion
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3 times Irish Professional Champion
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Irish Open Champion (1946)
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Open Champion (1947)
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Representing Ireland in ‘World Cup’ (1954, 1955, 1956)
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3 P.G.A. Matchplay Titles
Ryder Cup Record
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1947, 1949, 1951, 1953 – Won 3, Lost 4, Halved 1
Click on picture for a National Club Golfer profile of Fred Daly.
Fred Daly with the Press Golf Society.
Deric Henderson and Fred at Royal Liverpool in May 1987 on the 40th Anniversary of Fred winning the Open there.
Click picture to see the Royal Liverpool GC film of the 1947 Open.
