J.H.Taylor, James Braid, Harry Vardon
Born Earlsferry, Scotland,
Braid
is remembered as one of golf's original and great champions, course designers
and modernisers.
Braid grew up in Fife - the birthplace of golf. Although his parents had no
enthusiasm for the game, his cousins were top golfers. His earliest recollection
of golf was playing with a child's club at around the age of 4. Originally
trained as a carpenter and joiner, Braid learned to play a forceful style of
golf at Elie links. Given his modest means, he reconditioned old clubs for his
own use. After all, this was the era of the hickory shafted club and guttie
balls.
In 1893, he was offered the position of club-maker at the Army and Navy in
London which he was delighted to accept. After some success as an amateur he
turned professional in 1896 and worked as club professional at Romford, Essex.
He later moved to Walton Heath, Surrey and stayed with the club until his death.
JH Taylor described him as "sincere, trustworthy and loyal".
Although Braid's long and short game were excellent, his putting sometimes left
him down. That was largely corrected when he replaced his wooden putter with a
metal headed one. Braid's spectacular success came at the turn of the century.
In 1901 he won his first Open. Within 10 years he became the first man to win
the event five times. He was runner up three times. Throughout his career, Braid
remained modest and always demonstrated restraint whatever the circumstances.
Besides his success as a golfer, Braid was an excellent course designer. He used
his farming background to ensure that courses were well laid out and well
drained. As a founder member of the PGA and later it's president, he was
instrumental in laying the foundation of today's professional game. In
recognition of his contribution to golf, the R&A honoured him with
membership. Had he played in the modern era, he would be a M.B.E. however
Britain was a different place back then.
Braid was a great pioneer of golf and will be remembered with great respect and
admiration.
Hyperlink to Walton Heath Golf Club
Born Grouville, Jersey, Vardon is
remembered
as the leading member of the Great Triumvirate.
Unlike other great golfers of his era, Vardon did not grow up in a golfing
environment. As a youngster, he played a game similar to today's pitch and putt
where handmade clubs fashioned from oak were used to hit a marble ball (a taw)
around a course measuring just 50 yards; not exactly growing up in the shadow of
St Andrews.
Vardon's first job was gardener to a gentleman who enjoyed golf. Vardon would
sometimes caddy for him and be given the opportunity to use proper equipment to
play a few strokes. His brother, Tom, travelled to England to become a
professional. So obviously, the seed was planted in Vardon's mind.
Curious as to his abilities, he played a minor tournament in England and won. He
then contested a tournament in Scotland and came second. With the confidence of
his success, Vardon turned professional. He worked at Ripon, Bury and Ganton
before settling at South Hertfordshire GC near London where he stayed for 34
years.
Vardon's rise to the top was progressive rather than instant. In 1896, he beat
JH Taylor and later that year won his first Open. Not only was he the first
Englishman to win the event, he would go on to record an unbeaten six victories.
He also beat Taylor to win the US Open in 1900.
At that time, the real money in golf was in America and Vardon played a series
of exhibition matches there. His fame followed him from Britain; he was
therefore golf's first international celebrity. He did not invent the
overlapping grip which bears his name but certainly popularised it. J Laidley
used it before Vardon to win the Amateur Championship.
Vardon's strength was in the power and accuracy of his swing. However a bout of
tuberculosis in 1903 permanently affected his health. His illness manifested
itself on the course when the club head would shake in an erratic manner whilst
putting. Despite this, he did go on to win the Open again and indeed was second
in the 1920 US Open.
Besides his great victories, Vardon's story is one of the success that hard work
and confidence can bring. Six times winner of the Open, his achievements
continue to set the stand by which the golfing greats are measured.
Born Devon, England, Taylor is
remembered
as a member of the Great Triumvirate and a founder of the PGA.
Taylor grew up in a family of modest means. His father died when he was an
infant and he was therefore obliged to start earning a living aged just 11. He
worked as a caddy and general labourer at the nearby Westward Ho GC. Soon
afterwards he was seconded to the greenkeeper's staff, a move which laid the
foundation for his skill as a course designer later in life. At 19, he turned
professional and worked at several clubs eventually settling at Royal Mid
Surrey. Besides tuition and competition, he made money from making clubs.
He won his first Open in 1894 and would go on to win another three. Taylor was a
stocky and strong man with the personality to match. His particular advantage
over the opposition in golf was that he was able to maintain a consistent record
in adverse weather conditions. Besides the Open he also won the French and
German Opens.
Taylor played golf all his life; indeed he contested the 1924 Open aged 55.
However his main achievement at this time was the formation of the PGA. He spoke
publicly and helped to raise the profile of professional golfers.
In recognition of his achievements and contribution to golf, the R&A made
him an honoury member in 1949. He retired from golf in 1957 and was honoured by
Royal Birkdale, which he designed, with it's club presidency. Golfers everywhere
are indebted to him for his instrumental role in laying the foundations of the
modern game.