As a young lad he worked as a caddie, carrying the clubs of Old Tom Morris at St Andrews.

The location for the original 9-hole course was planned with assistance from Strath, who after leaving Royal Troon was the club professional at Southport Old Links.

Fernie was also from a St Andrews family and won the Open Championship in 1883.Strath and his wife Christina boarded the RMS Umbria and sailed from Liverpool, arriving in New York City on 28 September 1895.

Prior to leaving Scotland, Christina had been ill and doctors recommended a change of climate for her recovery.

[7] After his arrival in the United States, Strath never made it a priority to be a tournament golfer, but rather he preferred the business side of the game by being a greens keeper and instructor, having no superiors in either of those categories.

[10] While still posted at Wee Burn, Strath was the golf instructor to Genevieve Hecker who was the U.S. Women's Amateur national champion in 1901 and 1902.

After his stint at Wee Burn, he spent one year at the Hillandale Golf Club in Stamford, Connecticut.