BURY GOLF CLUB - Key Persons

Andrea Holt

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
Membership Liaison Director

Barbara Jack

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
Lady President & HR Director

Colin Stephenson

Job Titles:

Member of the Board
Fund Raising and Sponsorship Director

Craig Cuthbert

Job Titles:

Member of the PGA Team
PGA Assistant

Harry Vardon

Job Titles:

- Key Partner / Safeguarding & Policies
S Impact on Golf
S Legacy

Harry Vardon is one of the most influential figures in the history of golf. Born in 1870 on the British Channel Island of Jersey, Vardon went on to become a six-time winner of the Open Championship, a feat that remains unmatched to this day. He was not only an exceptional player but also a visionary course designer and a respected golf professional. In the early 1900s, Vardon served as the golf professional at Bury Golf Club, where he left an indelible mark on the club's history. This article explores Vardon's life, his impact on the game of golf, and his time at Bury Golf Club. Harry Vardon's Life Harry Vardon's early life was marked by hardship and tragedy. His father, a gardener, passed away when Vardon was only ten years old, leaving him and his six siblings in poverty. To make ends meet, Vardon began working as a caddy at the Royal Jersey Golf Club, where he was first introduced to the game of golf. Despite his humble beginnings, Vardon quickly became a skilled player, winning his first professional tournament in 1896. He went on to dominate the game, winning six Open Championships and countless other titles. Vardon's success was due, in part, to his innovative swing technique, known as the "Vardon grip," which is still used by golfers today. Vardon's impact on the game of golf cannot be overstated. His six Open Championships remain a record that has yet to be surpassed, and his influence on the sport's technique and equipment is still evident today. The Vardon grip, which involves overlapping the hands on the club, is a technique that many golfers still use, and it is considered one of the most important innovations in the history of golf. In addition to his contributions to the game as a player, Vardon was also a visionary course designer. He designed many golf courses, including Royal Mid-Surrey, which he co-designed with the renowned golf course architect, Harry Colt. In 1902, Harry Vardon became the golf professional at Bury Golf Club. His arrival marked a turning point in the club's history, as Vardon's reputation as a player and teacher drew golfers from across the region. As the golf professional at Bury Golf Club, Vardon not only taught golf but also played an important role in the course's design. He introduced several design features that remain part of the course to this day, including the greens on the 1st, 9th, and 11th holes. Vardon's time at Bury Golf Club was a success. He continued to attract golfers from across the region, and he remained a beloved figure at the club until his departure in 1906. Harry Vardon's legacy is still evident at Bury Golf Club. The course that he called home remains a popular destination for golfers, and his influence on the game is still felt today. In addition to his contributions to the course's design and popularity, Vardon's time at Bury Golf Club left an indelible mark on the club's culture. His reputation as a player and teacher inspired generations of golfers to take up the game, and his influence on the course's design helped to establish Bury Golf Club as a premier destination for golf in the region. Vardon's legacy extends beyond Bury Golf Club as well. His contributions to the game of golf as a player and course designer helped to shape the sport as we know it today. In recognition of his achievements, Vardon was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Harry Vardon won six Open Championships in his career, a record that still stands today. Harry Vardon's time as the golf professional at Bury Golf Club was a defining moment in the club's history. Vardon's reputation as a player and teacher drew golfers from across the region, and his influence on the course's design helped to establish Bury Golf Club as a premier destination for golf in Bury and the Greater Manchester area Vardon's legacy extends way beyond Bury Golf Club, as his contributions to the game of golf as a player and course designer helped to shape the sport as we know it today. As we look back on Vardon's life and career, it is clear that he was not only a legendary figure in the world of golf, but also an innovator and visionary who left an indelible mark on the sport and its culture. "Bury Golf Course is one of the finest I have ever played"