As a youngster, Robie Williams caddied and cleaned clubs alongside Jimmy Demaret at Houston’s Hermann Park G.C. In 1929, Williams began his career as a caddie master and assistant pro at the “Muni” and the previous years he and Demaret reportedly worked as two parts of a 3-man construction crew building Colonial CC (Brae-Burn).

During World War II, Robbie served in the Navy. He then returned to Hermann, first as an assistant to Jack Speer, then as the man in charge. When an opening at Memorial Park Golf Course came available, Robie was the City’s first choice, and he served the public there for 14 years. During that time, Memorial Park was the site of the Houston Open. In 1967, Williams suffered a heart attack and later died. Jimmy Demaret said he had “lost my best friend.” Indeed, many golfers still miss the soft-hearted pro whose golf shop at Memorial Park will be forever known as “Robie’s Lobby.”

Born: September 18, 1912

Died: 1967