About
Willie initiated the shift of golf tournaments to benefit the Red Cross during World War I, demonstrating his commitment to using golf for charitable causes.
Willie Locke was a Scottish golf course architect and golf professional known for his influential work in California during the 1920s. Born in Scotland, Locke brought a blend of traditional Scottish golf knowledge and innovative design to the American West Coast. His most notable contributions include the original routing of the California Golf Club of San Francisco in 1924 and his design of Lake Merced Golf Club, also in the San Francisco area.
Locke’s work is marked by strategic use of the natural topography combined with a refined aesthetic that respected the landscape’s inherent beauty. Though subsequent architects such as A.V. Macan and Alister MacKenzie made significant enhancements to these courses, Locke’s foundational designs helped shape the Golden Age of Golf Architecture on the West Coast.
Apart from his role as an architect, Locke was also a master club maker—most famously crafting the driver used by legendary golfer Ted Ray. Additionally, he played an important role in professional golf, helping to elevate the status of golf professionals and serving as President of the Northern California Professional Golfers Association.
