# Billy Bolger

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For the basketball player, see [Bill Bolger](/source/Bill_Bolger).

**William Joseph Bolger** (20 January 1910 – 27 May 1977) was an Australian professional golfer. He won the [Australian Open](/source/Australian_Open_(golf)) in 1934, finishing three strokes ahead of [Gene Sarazen](/source/Gene_Sarazen). He also won the [New South Wales Professional Championship](/source/New_South_Wales_Professional_Championship) twice, in 1930 and 1939 and represented Australia in the [Lakes International Cup](/source/Lakes_International_Cup) in 1934 and 1936.

## Early life

Bolger was born in [Mortlake](/source/Mortlake,_New_South_Wales), Sydney on 20 January 1910. He was one of a number of golfing brothers. [Fred](/source/Fred_Bolger) and Ted were professionals while Jim was an amateur.[1] He was originally an assistant to [Tom Howard](/source/Tom_Howard_(golfer)) at [Concord Golf Club](/source/Concord_Golf_Club), before becoming the professional at Parramatta Golf Club in 1929 and later at the new course at Oatlands Golf Club in 1931.[2][3][4] In early 1935 he left Oatlands to take up a teaching position at Mick Simmons sports store.[5][6]

## Professional career

Bolger first came to wide notice in 1928 when he finished fourth in the [Australian Open](/source/Australian_Open_(golf)) at [Royal Sydney](/source/Royal_Sydney_Golf_Club) and runner-up to [Rufus Stewart](/source/Rufus_Stewart) in the [Victorian Professional Championship](/source/Victorian_Professional_Championship) at Kingston Heath.[7] Bolger and Stewart were level after three rounds before Stewart won by two strokes in a close finish.[8]

Bolger's first big win was in the 1930 [New South Wales Professional Championship](/source/New_South_Wales_Professional_Championship) at Royal Sydney, where he beat [Dan Soutar](/source/Dan_Soutar), 8 and 7, in the 36-hole final.[9] Earlier in 1930 he had reached the final of the New South Wales [Dunlop Cup](/source/Dunlop_Cup_(Australia)) but lost to his ex-boss [Tom Howard](/source/Tom_Howard_(golfer)) in the final, by one hole.[10] In 1931 Bolger reached the final of the [Australian Professional Championship](/source/Australian_PGA_Championship), losing, 2 and 1, to [Don Spence](/source/Don_Spence).[11] Bolger came close to winning the New South Wales Professional Championship again in 1933, but lost a close final against [Charlie Gray](/source/Charlie_Gray_(golfer)) by one hole. They were level playing the final hole, but Bolger missed a short putt to give Gray the title.[12]

In 1934 Bolger had his biggest success, winning the [Australian Open](/source/Australian_Open_(golf)) at [Royal Sydney](/source/Royal_Sydney_Golf_Club). The championship saw the first serious American challenger with [Gene Sarazen](/source/Gene_Sarazen) competing. He was on a world tour with [Joe Kirkwood Jr](/source/Joe_Kirkwood_Jr). However Bolger won the open with a new record score of 283, with Sarazen second and Kirkwood fourth.[13] The following week, Bolger reached the final of the [Australian Professional Championship](/source/Australian_PGA_Championship), losing, 2 and 1, [Lou Kelly](/source/Lou_Kelly_(golfer)).[14] He was selected for the Australian team for the inaugural [Lakes International Cup](/source/Lakes_International_Cup) at [The Lakes Golf Club](/source/The_Lakes_Golf_Club). The United States won the match 9–0.[15] Earlier in 1934 he had been runner-up to [Dan Soutar](/source/Dan_Soutar) in the New South Wales [Dunlop Cup](/source/Dunlop_Cup_(Australia)) at The Lakes.[16]

Between 1935 and World War II, Bolger's only significant win was in the 1939 [New South Wales Professional Championship](/source/New_South_Wales_Professional_Championship) at Concord, where he beat [Norman Von Nida](/source/Norman_Von_Nida), 5 and 4, in the final.[17] He best finish in this period in the [Australian Open](/source/Australian_Open_(golf)) was in the defence of his title in 1935. He had a poor first day and despite having the best score on the final day, only finished tied for third place.[18] He was runner-up in a number of tournaments, in the [Lakes Open](/source/Lakes_Open) in 1936 and 1939 and in the New South Wales [Dunlop Cup](/source/Dunlop_Cup_(Australia)) in 1935, 1937, 1939 and 1940. In the 1936 Lakes Open he was the leading professional, behind [Jim Ferrier](/source/Jim_Ferrier), while in 1939 he lost an 18-hole playoff to Von Nida by one stroke.[19][20][21] By 1940 Bolger had been runner-up six times in the Dunlop Cup without winning.[22] In early 1936 Bolger was one of the six-man Australian team in the second [Lakes International Cup](/source/Lakes_International_Cup) at Lakewood Country Club, Long Beach, California. Bolger lost his singles match, 9 and 8, to [Horton Smith](/source/Horton_Smith).[23]

Bolger continued to have some success after World War II. He finally won the New South Wales [Dunlop Cup](/source/Dunlop_Cup_(Australia)) in 1946, by a stroke from [Lou Kelly](/source/Lou_Kelly_(golfer)) and [Ossie Pickworth](/source/Ossie_Pickworth) in the 36-hole event.[24] He was tied for fifth place in the 1949 [Australian Open](/source/Australian_Open_(golf)), 14 strokes behind [Eric Cremin](/source/Eric_Cremin), and he finished runner-up, a stroke behind Cremin, in the 1950 [New South Wales Close Championship](/source/New_South_Wales_Close_Championship).[25][26] As late as 1956 he was runner-up, with Cremin, in the [Lakes Open](/source/Lakes_Open). An amateur, [Harry Berwick](/source/Harry_Berwick), won the event so Bolger and Cremin shared the first prize money.[27]

## Later life

Bolger died on 27 May 1977 at his home in [Concord, Sydney](/source/Concord,_Sydney). He had had a heart attack in the late 1950s.[28]

## Professional wins

- 1930 [New South Wales Professional Championship](/source/New_South_Wales_Professional_Championship)
- 1934 [Australian Open](/source/Australian_Open_(golf))
- 1939 [New South Wales Professional Championship](/source/New_South_Wales_Professional_Championship)
- 1946 [Dunlop Cup](/source/Dunlop_Cup_(Australia)) (New South Wales)

## Team appearances

- [Lakes International Cup](/source/Lakes_International_Cup) (representing Australia): 1934, 1936
- [Vicars Shield](/source/Vicars_Shield) (representing New South Wales): 1930, 1931, 1933 (winners), 1934 (winners), 1935, 1936 (winners), 1937 (winners), 1939, 1946 (winners), 1947 (winners), 1948 (winners)

## References

1. ["Great golfing family"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35636912). *[The Courier-Mail](/source/The_Courier-Mail)*. No. 353. 15 October 1934. p. 10. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Bolger brothers to give exhibition"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article132808917). *[Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate](/source/Newcastle_Morning_Herald_and_Miners'_Advocate)*. No. 20007. 22 November 1940. p. 20. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Golf"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16568876). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 28521. 3 June 1929. p. 7. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Oatlands new "pro""](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106851239). *[The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers' Advocate](/source/The_Cumberland_Argus_and_Fruitgrowers'_Advocate)*. Vol. VIIIL, no. 3759. 9 July 1931. p. 12. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Open champion Bolger to teach golf at big city store"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article246501178). *[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph_(Sydney))*. Vol. 5, no. 2. 18 February 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Advertising"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229221976). *[The Sun (Sydney)](/source/The_Sun_(Sydney))*. No. 13,942. 19 October 1954. p. 53. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["F. Popplewell"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16493192). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 28294. 10 September 1928. p. 9. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Thrilling finish"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204242464). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. No. 22967. 15 November 1928. p. 12. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Golf"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16725771). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 28958. 27 October 1930. p. 14. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Dunlop Cup final"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16698673). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 28872. 18 July 1930. p. 16. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Championship Golf"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article204331411). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. No. 23838. 4 September 1931. p. 11. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Golf"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17025514). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 29916. 20 November 1933. p. 14. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Bolger wins Open golf title"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17118628). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 30197. 15 October 1934. p. 6. Retrieved 17 November 2020. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Championship Golf"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205879383). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. No. 24811. 20 October 1934. p. 17. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["A Chilling Baptism"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article230154098). *[The Sun (Sydney)](/source/The_Sun_(Sydney))*. 11 November 1934. p. 43. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["The Dunlop Cup"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17065118). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 30070. 19 May 1934. p. 19. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Lost form"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17624901). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 31778. 6 November 1939. p. 13. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["National golf title to F. McMahon"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article36765360). *[The Courier-Mail](/source/The_Courier-Mail)*. No. 621. 26 August 1935. p. 8. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Ferrier's New Record"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205909710). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. 19 October 1936. p. 17. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Lakes Open"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article236300217). *[Daily News](/source/Tweed_Daily_News)*. 17 July 1939. p. 8. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Lakes Open Title To Von Nida"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40854152). *[The Courier-Mail](/source/The_Courier-Mail)*. 24 July 1939. p. 12. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Dunlop golf cup"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article17679252). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 31965. 11 June 1940. p. 14. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. Michael Sheret. ["Australia's Ryder Cup"](http://www.golfcollectors.co.uk/u/cms/TTG_93_2010June.pdf#page=38). *Through the Green*. Retrieved 15 January 2021.

1. ["Cup to Bolger after six seconds"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29766404). *[The Sydney Morning Herald](/source/The_Sydney_Morning_Herald)*. No. 33902. 20 August 1946. p. 7. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Cremin soars high with birdies"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article168965912). *[Truth (Sydney newspaper)](/source/Truth_(Sydney_newspaper))*. No. 3115. 2 October 1949. p. 20. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Cremin holds Close title by stroke"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article229628842). *[The Sun (Sydney)](/source/The_Sun_(Sydney))*. 15 October 1950. p. 31. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via National Library of Australia.

1. ["Amateur wins Open"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1YhVAAAAIBAJ&sjid=PZUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5866%2C3783218). *[The Age](/source/The_Age)*. 27 August 1956. p. 15.

1. ["Great golf coach dies"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=lL5f5cZgq8MC&dat=19770530&printsec=frontpage&hl=en). *The Sydney Morning Herald*. 30 May 1977. p. 18. Retrieved 2 March 2021. – via Google News Archive.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Billy Bolger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bolger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Bolger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.