Harry Vardon - 14 wins in a row?

Someone here might have some insight... There has been some discussion of Harry Vardon supposedly winning 14 tournaments in a row at one point in his career. I have seen some "internet" reference to this feat... and I was in a discussion of it a few years back... but NO sourcing other than a circle of about 3 or 4 internet articles linking back to each other.

Would anybody have a list of Vardon's wins (supposedly numbering 62)... and/or information on the "streak"? Thanks in advance.

Thats a good question! I have never seen verification of the streak.

GPB wrote:Thats a good question! I have never seen verification of the streak.

Why thank you GPB... that question just "suddenly came to me"... :-)

Does Mark Frost describe them in his book "The Greatest Game Ever Played"?


From 3,000 miles away it's difficult to appreciate how unusual it must have been to have Vardon (and his brother) and Ted Ray all come from Jersey at about the same time.
A bit like Hogan and Nelson, Hulbert and Sindelar, and the boys from Milton. Ooh, and 2xFurgols and Ted Kroll.

If you know the rough dates then this could be your best bet

http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/

The UK newspaper archive. Just signing up will get you a few free articles.

I know those who are members of the National Library of scotland can search in their archive for free but you have to use the material on site. Maybe someone who is currently a member of a library with UK newspaper archives could have a look.

You would have to think it would be news worthy.

It doesn't sound very likely. However, I suppose it depends on what kind of events they were. There weren't many pro events in those days (pre WWI) and pros supplemented their incomes by playing exhibition matches and challenge matches. It's conceivable he won 14 matches in a row, or a combination of a few events and some challenge matches, but fourteen tournaments in a row doesn't sound feasible.

I recall reading that Archie Compston played Walter Hagen in 360 hole challenge match in 1928. Played over about 18 courses, it took about a month to complete, with Compston winning 18&17 in the end. That was how pros made most of their income in those days, and these challenges were to some extent the catalyst that sparked the Ryder Cup.

George1507 wrote:I recall reading that Archie Compston played Walter Hagen in 360 hole challenge match in 1928. Played over about 18 courses, it took about a month to complete, with Compston winning 18&17 in the end. That was how pros made most of their income in those days, and these challenges were to some extent the catalyst that sparked the Ryder Cup.

Thanks for your comments... I too am of the mind that it's "more likely than not" a streak of 14 matches for Vardon or maybe a combination of matches and tournaments... but I'm still trying to nail it down one way or the other.

As for the Compston/Hagen match... are you sure that wasn't a 72 hole match? http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=348&dat=19620304&id=wyIjAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cTEDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6929,292061

No, I can't be sure. My source was an old fella at Moor Park who had watched the match, and he said they played at Sandy Lodge, Wentworth, Blackwell, Verulam, Coombe Hill, Royal Wimbledon, Fulwell and lots of other places too. He reckoned that Compston won the 360 hole match by 18&17 at Moor Park. I suppose it's conceivable that he won both the match at Moor Park and the whole thing as well by that score, but I guess we won't know for sure any more.

There were very few 'professional' tournaments in those days.
Most of the Pro's made their money by playing exhibition or challenge matches.
These events attracted huge crowds and generated lots of media interest.

Ben Sayers would be a good example of a pro who did not lose many challenges but did not win many Opens.
There was a lovely story about him at North Berwick when a visiting American millionaire asked him what he went round the course in.
4's was the reply [meaning 72]
The American bet him that he could not score 4 on every hole and Ben won the bet.

Does anyone have a copy of Vardon's autobiography "My Golfing Life" published in 1933?

Greatest game ever played is a must read for all you guys.You will not put it down once picked up.Apologies as I have forgotten his name but there is another fascinating book about a pro gambler never played golf professional but won fortunes pitching up at country clubs playing right/left handed 4 iron only all sorts of stuff until he got thrown out of town.And pipeline Mo Norman of course rumoured to deliberately come second to avoid the winners speech.
Lovely stuff

Got it bloody old age-Titantic Tompson was the man even killed his caddy when the guy tried to rob him bit extreme but there you go.Always said he couldn't afford to turn pro due to the loss of income! Worth a look

dynamark, I believe you are thinking about Titanic Thompson.

His wiki bio is interesting and I think his life story would make an interesting motion picture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_Thompson

Would certainly make a great film.Probably Lenaardo de caprio in some part.If you read the book it just paints the picture of the times ,never been a gambler personally but you have to appreciate the guys who do it when they know they have the edge in their favour.Thanks