Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon, born in Grouville, Jersey in 1870, is widely regarded as one of golf’s greatest early champions and a pioneering architect. Renowned for his record six Open Championship wins—a mark still unbroken—and a U.S. Open victory, Vardon was not only a fierce competitor but also shaped the future of the sport both as a player and a designer. He is especially famous for inventing the 'Vardon Grip,' now used by the vast majority of professional golfers. Later in his career, Vardon focused on golf course design, leaving a lasting imprint on the landscape of British and Irish golf. Among his notable works are the Royal County Down and Woodhall Spa Golf Club, both acclaimed for their strategic brilliance and beauty. Vardon’s legacy also includes promoting golf through influential tours of the United States, increasing the sport’s popularity worldwide. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.