He was the son of Charles Hunter, keeper of the greens at the Prestwick course and also one of the first eight competitors in the inaugural 1860 Open Championship.

Hunter's father was first hired as Old Tom Morris's successor but also had a short stint at Royal Blackheath in the 1860s.

[2] Hunter apprenticed as a club maker under the direction of Old Tom Morris at St Andrews.

[2] He had two brothers, David and William, who both emigrated to the United States and worked as golf professionals.

Harry Vardon won the Championship for the second time, a stroke ahead of Willie Park, Jr., the 1887 and 1889 winner.