David 'Deacon' Brown

David Brown who was often known as 'Deacon' Brown, was a roofing slater by trade and keen golfer. In 1886 he was working in Musselburgh when The Open Championship was about to be played. John Anderson, Secretary of the Musselburgh Club at the time, invited him to play and provided him with a pair of striped trousers, a frock coat and a lum hat to wear. It would seem not out of place in a Charles Dickens novel! He, however, shocked the professionals by winning the event and turned professional himself.

Brown moved to England to become club professional at the Malvern Club. He played in the Open Championship regularly and featured prominently. At the turn of the century he moved to Boston in the United States. In 1903 he tied with Willie Anderson for first place in the U.S. Open after 72 holes, but lost the playoff. Brown enjoyed playing the stock market but lost most of his wealth during the Wall Street Crash in 1929 and returned to Musselburgh, where he died the following year.

LITTLE KNOWN GOLFER DAVID BROWN TAKES THE OPEN TITLE - REPORT 

The 1886 Open Championship was played at Musselburgh on the 5th November. No favourites were drawn together so spectator interest was divided over what game to follow. Bob Ferguson, Willie Fernie and Willie Park Junior were all expected to do well. Play started shortly after 10 am and although the weather began sunny and bright, within an hour heavy rain was falling.

The pairing of Mungo Park, Open Champion of the first Musselburgh Open of 1874 and favourite Willie Fernie attracted much interest. Park began by hitting poor drives but putted well. David Brown scored 38 in his first round. Willie Campbell of Musselburgh played steadily despite the weather conditions and scored 39.

Scores were close going into the third round with Willie Campbell and Lambert leading on 78, and Brown, Fernie and Ben Campbell on 79. It was still expected Fernie would take the title. Brown had continued his early good form and returned an excellent 37 for his third round while Willie Campbell’s steady play produced another 39.

Going into the fourth round Brown had a narrow one-stroke lead over Campbell. During his round, Campbell was distracted by movement in the crowd and found several bunkers. He scored 42 and this cost him the championship, with a final total score of 159. As Fernie slipped away, Brown played steadily through his final round and scored 41, winning the competition with a total of 157 strokes.