Jersey Wonders

Tiger Woods is one of those rare figures that transcend sport and is without doubt the greatest golfer in the world today. A multiple major tournament winner, Woods has captured the British Open crown an impressive three times.

But even a player of his stature has to bow down to the achievements of Jersey’s Harry Vardon, who lifted the famous Claret Jug on no fewer than six occasions in the 1800s and 1900s.

Born and raised in Grouville, Vardon honed his game on the fairways of the Royal Jersey golf club. From these humble beginnings he went on to dominate the era, once winning 14 tournaments in a row.

Tiger and Tommy with a statue of Vardon

Jersey’s most famous golfer of recent years is Tommy Horton, himself a very successful player on the seniors tour. Like Vardon, Horton grew up near the links course in Grouville and the old master’s achievements were a natural inspiration for him.

New York shuts down

Mr Horton said: “Vardon was born 200 or 300 yards from where I was a brought up, here on the Royal Jersey golf club.

“My home was right on the edge of the course like his, and as kids like him we played on the golf course like him.

“When I heard about Vardon and heard that he was a world champion, I wanted to be up there with him. He has been my hero ever since. Harry Vardon achieved more in golf than anybody else of his era.”

It is a testament to the skill and reputation of the man, that when he arrived in America to compete the New York stock exchange closed down so the brokers could watch him play.

Horton demonstrates the Vardon grip

Unerring accuracy

Of course, the game has changed almost immeasurably since Vardon’s day. Back in the 1900s, swings were restricted by tweed outfits and the ball was virtually uncontrollable once it was in the air.

But Vardon was one of the game’s great innovators. His modern swing and unerring accuracy was the stuff of legend and to this day golfers still hold the club with the grip he popularised.

Mr Horton explains: “One of the interesting things about Harry Vardon is that he was the first one to swing it in a more upright way using what we know now as the Vardon grip.

“He made that grip famous, although he didn’t invent it, and because of his upright swing he was able to make the ball rise and stop quickly, whereas the other players couldn’t.”

Statue

These new techniques were soon adopted by the competition and the game changed forever.

Statue: Harry Vardon is commemorated

Interest in Harry Vardon has not diminished over the years and he remains Jersey’s greatest ever sportsman. He is the first thing visitors to Royal Jersey golf club see when they arrive, his style and grace captured forever in an impressive bronze statue at the entrance.

Mr Horton said: “People at the museum tell me that when visitors come to Jersey, they want to see two things – Lillie Langtry and Harry Vardon.

“Lillie Langtry was pretty good at what she did, but Harry Vardon was a world champion.”

Have your say

Do you think Vardon's record will ever be broken? Is it fair to compare the golfers of today with the legends of yesteryear? How good would Vardon have been using modern clubs?