The record six time Open Champion was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and was very much considered the shot-maker of his time.
His name is familiar with most golfers today by the way they grip their clubs but he also turned his talents towards golf design in his later years.
Harry Vardon Facts
| Name | Henry William Vardon |
| Born | 9 May, 1870 |
| Died | 20 Mar, 1937 |
| Nickname | Harry, The Stylist |
| Nationality | Jersey |
| Majors | 7 |
(6 Open Championships, 1 U.S. Open)
Harry Vardon is considered by many to be one of the greatest golfers to have ever played the game of golf. Hailing from Jersey, where a statue of the 6-time Open Champion greets you on the entrance to Royal Jersey Golf Club, Vardon went onto become one of the strongest golfers of his generation.
Vardon along with, James Braid and JH Taylor formed the Great Triumvirate, winning almost all of The Open Championships during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Vardon's skills on the course were unquestionable with victories claimed in The Open Championship no-less than 6 times between 1896 and 1914. Vardon also enjoyed famous tours to the United States and Canada where his was able to spread the knowledge and appreciation of the game to what is now the largest playing nation of golf.
Vardon's trips to The US saw him claim the 1900 US Open and also a notable playoff loss to Francis Ouimet in 1913, an event that would become one of the most important moments in US golf history.
Whilst his legacy in professional golf is one that will live long in the ages, it is also his work off the course through his course design and also with the creation of the overlapping or Vardon Grip that is evident for all to see today.
Vardon's golf course designs include Royal County Down, a consistent feature within The Top 100 Golf Courses in the World, Woodhall Spa Golf Club, considered to be one of England's best inland golf courses. Little Aston Golf Club, another inland great and Ganton Golf Club which held The Ryder Cup in 1949.
Vardon's golf course design philosophy of asking many questions of the golfer off the tee and into the greens are apparent in the layouts he created or assisted across the UK and Ireland.
When you step foot on one of Harry Vardons Courses, you'll be astounded by the beauty. He sure could pick a piece of land on which to sign his name to. Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire has been recently brought into the limelight thanks to it playing host to the English Open on The European Tour's UK Swing in 2020.
Little Aston is another gem that if you haven't heard of before, must really be added to your to-play list. It won the people's vote in our Golf Course World Cup at the start of lockdown and is ranked in the Top 100 Courses. Vardon is also the mastermind behind Woodhall Spa, Englands best inland course in Lincolnshire.
Village Hotel Wirral Cheshire
The Golf Hotel Woodhall Spa Lincolnshire
Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club Hertfordshire
Lea Marston Hotel Warwickshire
Kilnwick Percy Resort & Golf Club Yorkshire
Vardon became renowned for creating stunning courses and so from his home of England, was invited to work his magic in Ireland too. He made popular modifications to Royal County Down which is now ranked 4th best course in the World, by Top 100 Courses.
If a stunning cliff top links is more what you're looking for, Bundoran will tick the boxes with panoramic views worth getting the camera out for. Although originally crafted by Old Tom Morris, Rosapenna needed a bit of TLC and Vardon along with James Braid took on this job and what a masterpiece it is.
Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo Donegal
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Links Donegal
Harry Vardon has created a few golf course layouts set amongst the gorgeous Welsh countryside. On the west coast is Aberystwyth Golf Club, a picturesque parkland course with panoramic views of Cardigan Bay and located on the Llyn Peninsula nestling behind ancient sand dunes sits Abersoch Golf Club.
A little further inland Vardon designed Llandrindod Wells, perhaps best described as an 'upland links' course, it provides a true test for golfers of all abilities. Heading south towards the capital is his first Weslh design, Newport Golf Club, regarded by many as one of the best parkland courses in the country.
The Nanhoron Arms Hotel North West & Harlech
