Fergus McMahon

Fergus William McMahon (1898 – 28 August 1941) was an Australian professional golfer. He won the 1935 Australian Open at Royal Adelaide, having been the runner-up there in 1932. He also won the 1932 Australian Professional Championship at Royal Adelaide. He died in 1941, aged 42.

Fergus McMahon
Personal information
Full nameFergus William McMahon
Born1898
Adelaide, South Australia
Died(1941-08-28)28 August 1941 (aged 42)
Adelaide, South Australia
Nationality Australia
Career
Turned professional1926

Professional career

McMahon was an amateur at Kooyonga Golf Club in Adelaide until early 1926, giving up a position as a government surveyor to become a professional golfer.[1] He became the professional at the newly formed Marino Golf Club in Marino, a suburb of Adelaide, later becoming an instructor at the Myer Emporium in the city.[2] The Australian Open in 1926 was played at Royal Adelaide and McMahon finished in fifth place.[3] A professional event was organised immediately after the Open but McMahon failed to finish in the top 4 in the qualifying stage.[4] Soon afterwards he played in the South Australian qualifying for the Sun-Herald Tournament. He led after the first round but dropped to fourth, failing to qualify.[5]

The South Australian Professional Championship was first played in 1927 and McMahon finished second behind Rufus Stewart.[6] However he won the championship in 1928, 1929 and 1930, gaining permanent possession of the trophy by winning three times in succession.[7] He would eventually win the event five times, with further victories in 1934 and 1937.[8] He was also runner-up five times, the last time in 1940.[9]

The Australian Open was played at Royal Adelaide again in 1929 and McMahon improved on his previous best, finishing fourth.[10] When it returned to Royal Adelaide in 1932 he improved again, finishing runner-up and leading professional, a stroke behind Mick Ryan.[11] He then won the Australian Professional Championship which followed the Open, beating George Naismith 7&6 in the final.[12] In 1935 he won the Australian Open, again when it was Royal Adelaide, beating Jim Ferrier by a stroke.[13]

McMahon won the South Australian Dunlop Cup in 1935, 1936 and 1937.[14]

Later life

McMahon died in Royal Adelaide Hospital on 28 August 1941, aged 42, following an operation.[15][16] A testimonial was organised for his family.[17]

Professional wins

References
  1. "National golf title goes to F. McMahon". The Sporting Globe (1366). Victoria, Australia. 24 August 1935. p. 5 (Edition2). Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. "Golfers prepare for amateur championship". The News (Adelaide). VII (938). South Australia. 16 July 1926. p. 10 (Home edition). Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "Ivo Whitton Open Champion". The Register (Adelaide). XCI (26530). South Australia. 28 August 1926. p. 11. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "Golf cham[ionships". The Register (Adelaide). XCI (26532). South Australia. 31 August 1926. p. 12. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "Golf". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 28 September 1926. p. 18. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "State professional championship". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 17 November 1927. p. 21. Retrieved 8 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "McMahon wins Championship". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 1 September 1930. p. 14. Retrieved 8 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Legh Winser Wins His Eighth State Amateur Golf Championship". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 23 August 1937. p. 15. Retrieved 8 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "W. Harvey Fights Back To Win Golf Championship". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 31 August 1940. p. 21. Retrieved 8 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Golf Championship". The Age (23207). Victoria, Australia. 24 August 1929. p. 23. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "Ryan's Dramatic Win in Open Golf". The Mail (Adelaide). 21 (1056). South Australia. 20 August 1932. p. 12. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Championship Golf". The Age (24142). Victoria, Australia. 26 August 1932. p. 6. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. "National golf title to F. McMahon". The Courier-Mail (621). Queensland, Australia. 26 August 1935. p. 8. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. "McMahon defeats Robertson". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 5 June 1937. p. 19. Retrieved 11 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. "Death of Champion Golfer". The News (Adelaide). South Australia. 28 August 1941. p. 9. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  16. "Former Golf Champion". The Age (26947). Victoria, Australia. 29 August 1941. p. 6. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  17. "Golf Season To End With McMahon Testimonial". The Advertiser (Adelaide). South Australia. 24 October 1941. p. 4. Retrieved 10 January 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
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