Louis Whyte facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Louis Whyte |
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Louis Australia Whyte |
| Born | 1852 Hobart, Tasmania, Australia |
| Died | (aged 59) Geelong, Victoria, Australia |
| Nationality |  Australia |
| Career | |
| Status | Amateur |
Louis Australia Whyte (1852 – 3 April 1911) was a talented Australian athlete. He was known for playing both tennis and golf as an amateur. He won important tennis championships like the Intercolonial Lawn Tennis Championships twice. In golf, he also won major events, including the Victorian Golf Cup and the Australian Amateur.
Early Life and Family
Louis Whyte was born in Hobart, Australia, in 1852. His father was Charles James Whyte. Louis married Minna Burnett in London in 1889. Minna was the daughter of Charles Ibbotson. They had a son named Louis Melville Whyte, who was born in London in 1890.
Tennis Achievements
Louis Whyte won the "Intercolonial Lawn Tennis Championships" twice. These wins happened in 1881 and 1883. The 1881 championship was played on grass courts at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Whyte defeated the defending champion, Frank Highett, in the final.
In 1882, the championship was played on asphalt courts. Whyte reached the final but lost to Arthur Keyser. He then reached his third final in a row in 1883. There, he beat Walter Carre Riddell in three straight sets.
Whyte also represented Victoria in tennis matches. These were against the team from New South Wales. He played in the first match in Sydney in 1885. He also played in both matches in 1886.
Golf Achievements
In 1894, the Melbourne Golf Club started a new tournament. It was called the "Victorian Golf Cup." This event was open to all amateur golfers in Australia and New Zealand. Louis Whyte won this cup with a strong score.
The Victorian Golf Cup quickly became a very important golf tournament. Many people saw it as the amateur championship for all of Australia. In 1899, the Australian Golf Union began running its own Australian Amateur championship.
Before the 1899 championship, there was a special foursomes event. Whyte teamed up with Harry Howden. They won this event together. In 1900, the Australian Amateur was held at the Adelaide Golf Club. Louis Whyte won this championship too. He finished four shots ahead of Walter Carre Riddell. In 1903, Whyte also won the Surrey Hills Gentlemen's Championship.
Later Life and Legacy
Louis Whyte passed away on April 3, 1911, in Geelong, Victoria. He left behind a valuable estate. His son, Louis Melville Whyte, later inherited a special house called "The Heights." This house was built in Germany and then put together in Australia in 1855. It originally belonged to Minna's father, Charles Ibbotson.
Louis Melville Whyte married but did not have any children. After he passed away in 1975, "The Heights" was given to the National Trust of Australia. This means the house is now protected for everyone to enjoy.
