The Laddie
The Legend of Laddie Lucas
Percy Belgrave Lucas was the son of the co-founder of Prince’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England and was born in the clubhouse.
As one would expect, Lucas became a proficient golfer in his youth, highlighted by a low amateur performance at the 1935 Open Championship at Muirfield at the age of nineteen. But war broke out in Europe, and Laddie became a Royal Air Force pilot in 1940.
Whilst over France in 1943, his Spitfire was damaged, necessitating an emergency landing. Flying back across the Channel, he knew where to safely land: on the Himalayas course at Prince’s.
His friend was quick to respond with a jab: “Driven out of bounds again, Lucas.”
Today, a spitfire propellor marks that very spot between the second and third holes on the Himalayas course.
Laddie Lucas would go on to play in two Walker Cups - at St. Andrews in 1947, then as captain of Great Britain & Ireland at Winged Foot in 1949.
He remains one of the most influential amateurs in UK history.