PRINCE OF GOLERS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 190, 8 May 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

PRINCE OF GOLERS

Stories Of Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon, professional to the South Herts Golf Club for thirty-five years, and one of the “Big Five” whose names are famous wherever the game is played, died recently at his home at Whetstone, Middlesex. He was in his sixty-seventh year. In December Vardon underwent, an operation from which he recovered, but his health was not good and he had not played golf for some time. On Wednesday, while walking over the South Herts course, he caught a chill. lie took to his bed that day. Vardon won the British Open Championship six times—lB96, 1898, 1599, 1903, 1911 and 191-I—a record that is never likely to be equalled. He was American champion in 1900 and German champion in 1911. In all be won sixty-two first-class tournaments, and yet ho only once did a hole in one. Harry Vardon was nicknamed by the I famous Andrew Kirkaldy the "grey- j hound of the links.” He was, in fact,* the complete player of the game. His swing was perfect and was the basis on which all famous British and American players have modelled their game. Vardon claimed that his visit to the United States in 1900 started the craze for the game in that country On occasions when conditions dictated certain methods he tended to emphasise certain shots-. Just as J. It. Taylor is a master of the mashie. so was Vardon a wizard witli the eleek The story is fold that on one occasion in a championship he wanted to play this now despised club. 11 is Scots caddie urged him to take a brassic.

“No,” said Vardon. "give me the deck.” ‘TH no gi’e it to ye; ye can tak’ it oot of tlie bag yersel’.” replied the caddie. Vardon did, and played a fine shot. In view of Compston’s lawsuit witli the income tax authorities it. is interesting to recall that Vardom partnered by J. H. Taylor, many years ago defeated Janies Braid ami "Sandy" Herd in a match for £4OO. Vardon, like his other famous contemporaries of the “Big Five.” was made a member of South Herts Golf Club many years ago. lie was also an honorary member of four other clubs. In one of his books he described th.most diliicnlt shot lie ever had to play. It was al the eighteenth hide at Northwood. lie was stymied by a house which hid the green. He played a shot over the house. The lPgl.it of the ball altered at a given point, the ball pulling up close to the hole. Vardon was a pioneer of plus-fours. Sandy Herd, referring to these garments at a dinner at which the Sunt l ! Herts professional was a guest, said: "I had a pair of plus-fours made, but Vardon was so jealous I bad to go; back to the 'trews.' " Vardon was a native of Jersey. He was seven .years old when golf was introduced in the island. He at once became a caddie and was quickly se'zed with a desire to play the game himself. He and his friends laid out a four-hole , course, each hole about 50 yards long. . used a large white marble as a ball and , manufactured some very primitive 1 clubs. 11. was then that he invented I the overlapping grip. *