Less celebrated than his contemporary, Old Tom Morris, Dunn created many functional layouts and helped lead the development of courses away from the coast into inland heathland locations, notably many around London.

[4] Willie Dunn Snr and his twin brother, Jamie, were notable golfers of their time, playing against Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris.

[5] Dunn learned the game and family business of golf, including club manufacture and groundsmanship, from his father.

[5] Following marriage to Isabella May Gourlay, Dunn established a golf club making business at his home on Wimbledon Common.

Dunn subsequently wrote to the club explaining that he had been advised to head south for the good of his health and had been taken more ill whilst away.

[5] The popularity of golf exploded during this period and demand for Dunn's services to lay out new courses was high.

Given a choice of three locations, he selected the Meyrick Park site and remained as professional for five years.

[4] His son, John, continued the club-making while Dunn concentrated on designing golf courses.

Tom was employed by Oriental and Manhattan Hotel group to supervise their Florida golf courses.

[5][10] Dunn died of tuberculosis at the Nordrach Clinic in Blagdon, Somerset in early May 1902 aged 52 years.

However, he provided a service at a time when very few people understood the basic architectural principles required for a functional layout, and Dunn had the skill and experience to deliver to order.