In 1864, when John Jackson left his employment with Royal Perth Golf Club, Walter "Watty" McDonald took over as the clubmaker and greenkeeper. In 1873, Andrew Forgan replaced McDonald as the clubmaker and greenkeeper at the Royal Perth. McDonald continued to work as a clubmaker in the town of Perth for a few more years.

In 1862, 26-year-old McDonald won the earliest recorded long drive contest as reported in the May 15, 1862, issue of the Fifeshire Journal. It might not be an Open championship, but he made the paper!

Clubs made by Walter McDonald are few and far between.  This one is from the World Golf Hall of Fame collection formerly displayed in St. Augustine, Florida, and bears its inventory number of “300” discreetly handwritten on the lead backweight. The head measures 5 3/4" long, 2" wide, 1" in face depth.  The original 35 1/2" shaft has a replacement leather suede grip installed by Laurie Auchterlonie. It matches the period well and is attractive in its own right. 

The original finish has been cleaned and the face lightly sanded. This work was skilfully done by Auchterlonie and his LA mark is discreetly and lightly etched into the neck. The club looks like it was never used before its touch-up.

Laurie Auchterlonie, who died in 1988, was the last of the great St Andrews clubmakers with roots that went back to the gutty era. He was the son of 1893 British Open champ Willie Auchterlonie. He knew how to make hickory shaft clubs and all things related.  In 1963, Laurie replaced his father as the honorary professional at the R&A. He certainly knew his craft.  As a further side note, Laurie Auchterlonie helped supply the WGHOF with many of the clubs in their collection. On those clubs that he worked on, usually installing new grips and sometimes cleaning up the finish, he would often mark the shaft with "Restored by Laurie Auchterlone" or etch two small, discreet marks - a straight line and an angled line - in an out-of-the-way place on the club, which was typically on the heel of the sole or back of the neck.

Letter of Authenticity from the World Golf Hall of Fame