He came into his own as a golfer in his early 20s, playing with contemporaries such as Young Tom Morris and Davie Strath in St Andrews Rose Golf Club competitions.

In 1880, before leaving Glasgow Golf Club, Smith was the first winner of the Tennant Cup,[1] believed to be the second oldest amateur stroke-play competition in the world.

Horace Rawlins won the inaugural U.S. Open title, two strokes ahead of runner-up Willie Dunn.

Canadian amateur Andrew Smith, who carded rounds of 90-86=176, finished tied for third place.

James Foulis won his first U.S. Open title, three strokes ahead of runner-up Horace Rawlins, the defending champion.

Shippen, a caddie at Shinnecock Hills, shot an opening round of 78, which placed him just two back of leader Joe Lloyd.

James Foulis, third-place finisher in the inaugural U.S. Open the year before, recorded rounds of 78-74 to prevail by three over defending champion Horace Rawlins.