Harry Vardon’s 1900 US Tour
Harry Vardon was enticed by the Spalding company to tour America in 1900 and promote their new Vardon clubs and Vardon Flyer golf ball. While on that trip he won the 1900 US Open and nearly all of his numerous exhibitions matches between February 12th and December 10th, often against the better ball of two top players.
One of those exhibition matches was in Poland Springs, Maine on August 25th, where Vardon defeated the pair of Alex Findlay and Arthur Fenn, 4 and 2. Newspaper Articles recounted Vardon’s warm reception there saying that after the match, “Vardon entered the great hall to cheers, followed by speeches and then the singing of “God save the Queen” and the “Star-Spangled Banner” to the delight of the guests of the hotel”, who then awarded him this American styled copper/silver trophy with deer antler handles. This appears to be the only trophy awarded to Vardon on his American tour. It is obvious from the photo taken years later in Vardon’s own home, how much that reception meant to him, as he displays it prominently amongst his other awards.
The book “The Vardon Invasion- Harry’s Triumphant 1900 American Tour” by Bob Labbance with Brian Siplo, is a wonderful account of the tour that sparked even greater interest and advanced the growth of golf in America.
Other items on the display shelf include: a letter on Vardon’s famous stationary, a Vardon Flyer ball, a “Vardon Trophy” medal (featuring Vardon’s famous grip) for the PGA Tour’s leader in scoring average for the year, and a “Harry Vardon Trophy” statue (by Hal Ludlow for Elkington & Co.) for the European Tour’s low scorer.