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37
F
rancis Ouimet picked up his love of golf because of
proximity. As a child, he would cross the greens of
The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts and
pick up lost golf balls. From there, he became a caddie.
And when he was 20, he walked onto the course and
won the US Open, beating probably the best player in
the world in Harry Vardon. The match was an engrossing
encounter as Ouimet took a surprise lead against the
much more established pack. They then pulled him back
in, but he rallied in a very Hollywood manner, finally
contesting and winning a play off the following day.
The story was so huge that it made the front page
of the New York Times. It wasn’t just the nature of the
win: it was what it represented. Golf at the time was
incredibly elite. Only the very rich or well contacted
could play. But it was also a foreign sport to a large
extent. The romance of the local boy entering the field
and winning showed America that they could embrace
the game, and that class was not a factor in how
successful you could be.
Ouimet himself remained a respected member
through his life. Known for his charm and self-
deprecating humour, he continued to break down
barriers and pave the way for America to become a true
golfing nation.
FRANCIS OUIMET:
THE MAN WHO OPENED GOLF TO ALL