The greatest Open champion

By James McLachlan
BBC Jersey

Jerseyman Harry Vardon won a total of seven major championships in his career.

As the 138th Open championship swings into gear this week, the greatest players in the world are battling it out to capture the most coveted trophy in golf - the Claret Jug.

Standing just one off the lead after the first day's play was US veteran Tom Watson who has won the tournament on five occasions, his last victory coming at Royal Birkdale in 1983.

And with the R&A restricting the age limit to 60 and under for next years Open, this year's championship is possibly the last chance Watson has at equalling the six Open wins of Jerseyman, Harry Vardon.

Vardon captured his last Open championship way back in 1914 and the record has never been equalled.

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

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.

Jersey's Tommy Horton demonstrates the famous 'Vardon Grip'.

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 family home was right on the edge of the course like his, and as kids 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.

'The innovator'

Vardon's record of six Open Championships is yet to be equalled.

Of course, the game and its technology 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 that he popularised.

Mr Horton explains: "One of the interesting things about him 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."

Harry Vardon is commemorated at the entrance to the Royal Jersey Golf Club in Grouville.

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

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 Jersey museum tell me that when visitors come to the island, 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."