Frank Ball (born ) was an English professional golfer who played in the early 20th century. He tied for third place in the 1924 Open Championship.
Early life Ball was born circa 1892 in West Kirby, Cheshire (now Merseyside), England, to William Henry Ball and Hannah Silcock Roscoe. He had four brothers and four sisters. His birthplace was but a short distance south of the Royal Liverpool Golf Club at Hoylake.
Frank's father, William (1856–1926), was a greenkeeper from Hoylake. Frank's brothers Tom, Sydney, William Henry (Harry) were also professional golfers, as was Harry's son Errie.
Golf career In 1923 Ball reached the final of two important tournaments within a month. In late-June he lost to Arthur Havers in the Glasgow Herald Tournament but in mid-July he won the Broxbourne Tournament beating James Sherlock.
The 1924 Open Championship was held 26–27 June at Royal Liverpool Golf Club in Hoylake, England. The American golfer Walter Hagen won the second of his four Open Championships, one stroke ahead of runner-up Ernest Whitcombe. Ball finished in a tie for third place with Macdonald Smith.
He sailed from Southampton on 29 October 1926 aboard RMS Andania to find new opportunities in America and quickly found work at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. His career and whereabouts after moving to Atlanta is somewhat of a mystery.
Death Ball's date of death is unknown.
Professional wins (3) 1923 Broxbourne Tournament, Kent Professional Championship 1924 Kent President's Cup
Results in major championships Tournament1920192119221923192419251926192719281929U.S. OpenT22T32The Open ChampionshipT61T19T16T3T24 Tournament193019311932193319341935U.S. OpenThe Open ChampionshipT27 Note: Ball only played in The Open Championship and the U.S. Open.
"T" indicates a tie for a place
References