Stamp of approval for celebrated Jersey golfer

Sunday 19 July 2020

A champion Jersey golfer, who won a record 62 major golf tournaments, has been immortalised in a set of newly issued stamps.

Accompanied by a miniature sheet and souvenir coin, the stamps celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Harry Vardon, a legendary figure in golf who won The Open a record six times from 1896 to 1914, and the US Open in 1900.

Born in Jersey in 1870, Vardon got his first break in the Caddies Competition run by the Committee Club at the Royal Jersey Golf Club.

Pictured: The stamps show Vardon in a number of golfing poses.

Over his almost 40-year career, he won a record of 62 major golf tournaments, including what is reported to be a run of 14 consecutive wins.

He also popularised the overlapping grip, a technique that became known as the 'Vardon Grip' and is still used today.  

Chris Elligott, Jersey Post’s Philatelic Design and Production Manager explained that “Jersey is rightfully very proud of Vardon, whose record ranks him amongst the greatest golfers of all time.” 

Pictured: The Miniature Sheet released to celebrate 150 years since golfer Harry Vardon's birth.

He continued: “One of only four golfers from The British Isles to have won both The Open and the US Open, Vardon features on the Miniature Sheet together with one of the others to achieve the same feat, fellow Jerseyman and dual Open winner Ted Ray. This year also commemorates 100 years since Ted Ray’s US Open win.”

The 24 carat gold-plated coins are strictly limited edition, with each of the 150 issued housed in an oak presentation box and accompanied by a numbered certificate of authentication.

Chris said that this team worked with both Jersey Heritage and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews to produce the coin.

Pictured: The souvenir coins are strictly limited edition.

Elaborating on the design, he explained: “Vardon’s Open winners medals are held in the Jersey Museum as part of the Jersey Heritage collection.

"The face of the coin features the design of Vardon’s first The Open Championship winner’s medal from 1896, whilst the reverse shows Vardon driving off the tee, together with a list of his six wins in The Open and his US Open win.”