Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon was professional at South Herts for 35 years.

Harry was born in 1870 at Grouville, Jersey, the son of a gardener. He was introduced to golf at the age of seven when he saw the golfers at the newly opened Royal Jersey Golf Club, where he soon became a caddy. Harry became a gardener himself, working for a Major Sopworth, who when short of a golfing partner took the talented youngster to play with him. 'Henry, my boy,' said the Major, 'take my advice, and never give up golf - it may be useful to you some day.'

In 1890 Harry left Jersey and became a professional at Ripon in Yorkshire, moving the following year to Bury Golf Club, Lancs., and played his first Open Championship in 1893. This period saw the emergence of the Great Triumvirate - Vardon, James Braid, and J H Taylor - who between them won 21 Opens between 1894 and 1914. Harry won in the years:

1896 at Muirfield
1898 at Prestwick
1899 at Sandwich
1903 at Prestwick
1911 at Sandwich
1914 at Prestwick

In 1900, during an extended trip to North America to promote Spaldings golf equipment, he won the US Open.

After eight years as professional at Ganton Golf Club, Harry Vardon became the professional at South Herts in 1902 where he was to remain until his death in 1937.

Harry Vardons legacy to the golfing world lives on. The overlapping 'Vardon Grip' that he popularised, now the symbol of South Herts Golf Club, remains the most commonly used method of holding a club. The trophies for low scoring average on both the PGA and European Tours were named in Vardon’s memory. His record of six Open Championship wins is still to be beaten.

A 'Blue Plaque' can be found on Harry's house around the corner from the Club in Totteridge Lane. Every year, on the day of the Vardon Open, the Clubs open competition, the Captain of South Herts lays a wreath on Harry Vardons grave at nearby St Andrews Church.