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LETTER FROM ATLANTA
Memo From Helensburgh
CLASSIC COURSES
- GANTON GOLF CLUB
GOLF MAGAZINE'S
2003 TOP 100 COURSES IN THE WORLD
SPOTLIGHT ON THE
133rd BRITISH OPEN ABOARD THE ROYAL SCOTSMAN JULY
12 - 19, 2004
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CLASSIC COURSES - GANTON GOLF
CLUB
SITE OF THE 2003 WALKER CUP MATCHES SEPTEMBER 6 &
7
PAGE 2
CARD OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
|
HOLE
|
YARDAGE
|
PAR
|
HOLE
|
YARDAGE
|
PAR
|
|
1
|
373
|
4
|
10
|
168
|
3
|
|
2
|
445
|
4
|
11
|
417
|
4
|
|
3
|
334
|
4
|
12
|
363
|
4
|
|
4
|
406
|
4
|
13
|
524
|
5
|
|
5
|
157
|
3
|
14
|
282
|
4
|
|
6
|
470
|
4
|
15
|
461
|
4
|
|
7
|
435
|
4
|
16
|
448
|
4
|
|
8
|
414
|
4
|
17
|
249
|
3
|
|
9
|
504
|
5
|
18
|
434
|
4
|
| |
3538
|
36
|
|
3346
|
35
|
Ganton is known in the history
of golf not only for the quality of the course and
the championships held there, but also for two of
its earliest professionals - Harry Vardon and Ted
Ray.
 Vardon,
born in Grouville, Jersey in 1870, grew up caddying
at the local course where he learned the game. Encouraged
to move to England by his older brother Tom, who was
the professional at Lytham St. Annes and Royal St.
George's, he became the professional/greenskeeper
at Ripon, North Yorkshire and Bury, Lancashire, before
settling at Ganton in 1896. This year that saw Vardon
handily beat the reigning two-time Open Winner champion,
J.H. Taylor in a challenge match at Ganton, before
again besting Taylor at The Open at Muirfield in a
play-off. After which, Vardon and Ganton's reputations
were securely cemented in the golf world. Vardon went
on to win the Open championship a record six times,
finishing 2nd an additional four times.
In 1900 he went on tour in America, covering 20,000
miles winning countless matches, including again beating
J.H. Taylor for an Open Championship, this time the
U.S. Open at Chicago Golf Club.
 Vardon,
seriously ill with Tuberculosis, left Ganton in 1903,
to be pro at Totteridge Golf Club. Although he never
fully recovered, he remained competitive at the highest
level of the game winning the 1911 and 1914 Open Championships,
finishing 2nd in 1912 and 2nd in the U.S. Open in
1913, after losing in the famous playoff with Francis
Ouimet and Ted Ray, and again in 1920, finishing behind
Ray.
Edward (Ted) Ray, who was also
from the Channel Island, and a good friend of Vardon's,
went on to succeed him as the professional at Ganton
from 1903 to 1912, and challenge him on the course
at major championships. Ray won The Open Championship
in 1912 and finished second in 1913 and 1925. He was
equally successful in America winning the U.S. Open
in 1925.
Due to World War I, The Open Championship was not
contested from 1915-1919, and the U.S. Open was not
played in 1917 and 1918 or both men may have earned
more titles.
 Although
Ganton enjoys a splendid, picturesque tranquil setting
in the Vale of Pickering, and welcomes visitor play,
it is often overlooked on itineraries, even with its
championship status and high ranking due to the fact
it is a bit off the beaten path between York and Scarborough,
and there are not a number of other championship links
courses close by. But Ganton is a 'must play' on any
serious golfer's resume and deserves a visit, especially
in the spring and fall when the plentiful gorse is
in its spectacular, full yellow bloom.
OTHER WALKER CUP VENUES
IN THE BRITISH ISLES
 The
Walker Cup has been staged at some of the finest courses
in the British Isles and the United States. PerryGolf
can arrange a custom tour to take in the Walker Cup
venues; all are worth adding to your international
collection of courses played.
St Andrews, Old Course - 1923,
1926, 1934, 1938, 1947, 1955, 1971, 1975
Royal St George's - 1930, 1967
Royal Birkdale - 1951
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh
Golfers - 1959, 1979
Turnberry, Ailsa Course - 1963
Hoylake - 1983
Sunningdale - 1987
Portmarnock - 1991
Royal Porthcawl - 1995
Nairn - 1999
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