Ernest G Doherty, at 88, Member of the Massachusetts Professional Golfers Association and winner of the 1953 Massachusetts State Armature.
Ernest “Ernie” G Doherty a well known New England Armature and Golf Professional died Sunday morning at his home after a long illness, he was 87 years old.
Ernie was born December 16th 1920 in Woburn, MA. Where he was a life long resident growing up one of nine brothers and a sister. Ernie and his brothers were known as Golfing Doherty’s brothers.
Ernie’s introduction to golf was at Woburn Country Club where he was a caddie and first swung a club at the age of 8 years old.
Ernie, a first generation Irish American, was a fixture on New England Armature Golf scene from the 30’s through the 50’s, his accomplishments included many wins and top finishes. His first Amateur win came at the age of 15 where he won both the Massachusetts Caddie and State Junior championships in the same year 1936, his best years were to follow after serving his country in the US Coast Guard during World War II.
After the War Ernie’s career as an amateur took off he won the CYO championship four years straight 1946-1949, during that time period Ernie qualified for the 1947 US Armature and traveled out to California to play at Pebble Beach Golf Links and had a respectable showing getting through the first couple of rounds in match play.
In 1952 he was the runner up in the Mass Amateur losing to Tom Mahan jr. 1 up after 36 holes of play, in that same year he was the New England Amateur Medalist. The following year determined to make a better showing Ernie returned to win the Mass Amateur in 1953 at Salem Country Club.
In 1954 Ernie as an amateur finished second to Don Hoenig at the Mass Open, a professional event. Other notable matches included his victory over Ted Bishop, the 1946 US Amateur Champion at his home course in Norfolk, MA., up until then Ted had won 28 consecutive matches, In 1952 he beat Julis Boros (PGA Hall of Fame) in semi final match play at the New England Amateur. Ernie also won numerous club championships as a member at both Vesper and Woburn Country Club.
Ernie turned Professional in 1956 where he was Head Professional at Woburn Country Club until 1965, from 1965 to 1968 he was part owner and Head Professional at Bradford Country Club in Haverhill, MA., and then in 1968 he became the Head Professional at Framingham Country Club until he 1978 when he and his partner Jack Gillgun, former Mayor of Woburn, purchased Cape Cod Country Club in Falmouth, MA., where he was the Head Professional until his retirement in 1988.
Throughout his professional career Ernie won many Pro-Am and New England events, including several Pro- Wife championships with his wife Charlotte formally Charlotte Moran of Winchester, MA. They were married for 55 years until her passing in March of this year.
He was also very generous and held many tournaments benefiting several charities; his favorite was the Jimmy Fund.
Ernie was the beloved husband of the late Charlotte I. (Moran). Brother of Jack Doherty, Gene Doherty and his wife Betty all of Woburn, the late Ruth Connolly, William, Edmund, Robert, Daniel, Charles and Thomas Doherty. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
His funeral will be held from the McLaughlin – Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St. Woburn, on Thursday, September 18, at 9 AM. Followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Charles Church, 280 Main St. Woburn at 10 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting Hours Wednesday 4 thru 8. Services will conclude with burial at Wildwood Cemetery, Winchester. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers expressions of sympathy be sent in Ernie’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St. Watertown, MA 02472