William J. Shankland (25 July 1907 – 8 September 1998) was one of Australia's great all-round sportsmen.[2] An Australia national and New South Wales state representative rugby league three-quarter back, he played his club football in Sydney, country New South Wales and then in England, where he became a Warrington Hall of Fame inductee.[3] Shankland remained in England and became a renowned golfer, finishing third at the 1939 Open Championship, and golf teacher.
Shankland played for the Glebe and Eastern Suburbs clubs in rugby league. While playing for Glebe in 1928, the 21-year-old was selected to make his state debut, the following year, moving to the Eastern Suburbs club, Shankland was selected for the 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. The winger played in all 4 test matches and was the leading try scorer on the tour with 24.
On tour, Shankland was pursued by English clubs but returned to Australia, captain-coaching Leeton's club in the Riverina.[2]
In 1931 Shankland signed for Warrington. The 'fleet of foot' wing-three-quarter made 231 appearances for that club, scoring 74 tries and 70 goals. He led Warrington in 2 Wembley cup finals, becoming the first Australian to do so, as well as captaining the side in 2 English Championship finals.
The 1937 season saw him lead Warrington to victory over Barrow in the Lancashire cup final. The 1937 was his last in rugby league, his retirement allowed him to concentrate on his other sporting passion – golf.
Golf career
In the years 1937 to 1956 Shankland appeared in every Open Championship except 1948 when he failed to qualify. His best finishes were third, fourth and sixth. His best chance of winning was at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake in 1947. Although four strokes behind after three rounds he took 34 for the first 9 holes and then scored 3-3-3-3 to be in a very strong position but finished 5-6-5-3-5 for the last five holes to finish with a 70. Shankland was one of the early starters and his score of 295 was the leading score at the time. His 70 turned out to be the best round of the day but left him two shots behind the eventual winner, Fred Daly.
He was an Honorary Life member of eleven clubs and Honorary member of six clubs.[4]
Private life and death
He was married to his wife Daphne for 67 years until her death. He had three sons, two of whom were golf professionals owning golf courses in the United States.[5] Shankland died aged 91 of heart failure in Warrington, Cheshire, England.