Born in Leven, Fifeshire in 1876 James Kinnell was one of two golf club making brothers. He learnt his skills from his uncle Alex Patrick and managed his uncles golf shop at Lundin Links. After a spell at Prestwick St Nicholas, James moved south in 1900 to take up a position as professional at Royal Norwich. In 1902 he would become a member of The Professional Golfers' Association not long after this organisation was inaugrated in 1901. While at Royal Norwich he would enjoy considerable success as a player notably his high finishes in the Open Championship before his move to West Essex. He was only there for a short period before being appointed professional at Purley Downs Golf Club, Surrey where he remained 1904-1915. A club in Pennsylvania offered him a large sum of money to re-locate to America but, he declined and, instead joined the army to fight. He would enlist in the Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) sadly James would fall in action in April 1918 leaving a wife and seven children.
The Professional Golfers' Association