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McDonald’s true passion was golf—a sport still relatively unknown to many Americans in the late 19th century. He became a central figure in the sport’s development in the U.S., co-founding the Chicago Golf Club in 1892 and creating the nation’s first 18-hole golf course. In 1895, he proudly became America’s first amateur golf champion.
He also played a vital role in establishing the United States Golf Association (USGA) in 1894, unifying standards and fostering the sport's growth. By the early 20th century, McDonald was revered as the "Father of American Golf Architecture," contributing to influential course designs that shaped the country's golf landscape.