The son of Major Cardinal Brewster, surgeon, former JP and deputy lieutenant of Kent, Francis Brewster was educated at Blackheath School before moving up to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied law and was admitted into the Inner Temple in 1871 and called to the bar in 1874. He never practiced law but spent his time as an inventor and, dovetailing it with his time spent on the golf course, he invented the “Simplex” Crosshead Wood in the latter part of the 19th century. Despite not being a scratch golfer, Brewster entered the 1899 Open Championship at Royal St George’s, Sandwich, under the name “Mr. Crosshead.” He withdrew after shooting a first round 111. His playing partner, W J Mackie of Wanstead, shot a 101. A member of some notable clubs, like Royal Liverpool and Royal Wimbledon, Brewster was also responsible for the formation of the Jersey Golf Club (later Royal Jersey) in 1878. As a player, he won nothing of note but played in the annual Bar Golf Tournament at the turn of the century.
Great Britain