James Kay (golfer)

James Kay
James Kay, c. 1924
Personal information
Nickname	Jimmy
Born	c. 1855 Leith, Scotland
Died	18 April 1927 (aged 72) Seaton Carew, County Durham, England
Nationality	Scotland
Career
Status	Professional
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament	DNP
U.S. Open	DNP
The Open Championship	T5: 1892
PGA Championship	DNP

James Kay (c. 1855 – 18 April 1927) was a Scottish professional golfer who played during the late 19th century and early 20th century. He served as the head professional at Seaton Carew Golf Club from 1886–1926, a remarkable 40 years of service. He had two top-10 finishes in the Open Championship. His son Andrew was also a professional golfer.

Kay placed tied for 5th place in the 1892 Open Championship. The 1892 Open Championship was the 32nd Open Championship, held 22–23 September at Muirfield in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland. Harold Hilton, an amateur, won the Championship by three strokes from another amateur, John Ball, and two professionals—Sandy Herd and Hugh Kirkaldy. This was the second win by an amateur following Ball's victory in 1890.

Very few golf clubs can claim to have had a golfing legend as their long-term professional, but an exceptional example is that of Seaton Carew Golf Club where Kay served as the head professional for a remarkable 40 years.

Kay, born in Lieth, Scotland in 1855, was engaged by Seaton Carew as their professional on 1 May 1886 following the resignation of Tom Park, a member of the famous Park Scottish golfing family. It was Kay's playing record that elevated him above his peers. Press reports of the time show that Kay played in a total of 22 Open Championships, qualifying in 20 and twice finishing in the top six in the 1892 Open at Muirfield and 1893 Open at Prestwick. On 8 June 1908 he also represented his homeland when he played for Scotland in an international match against England at Prestwick Golf Club.

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