GOLFING LEGEND RATED ROYAL DORNOCH SCOTLAND’S FINEST

Photo: Harry Vardon and James Braid, pictured putting on the third green, attracted around 1000 spectators to a 1906 match. Credit Historylinks Museum

THEY were among the biggest names in golf when they were lured to Royal Dornoch.

In August 1906 – the year King Edward VII conferred Royal status on the club – Scotsman James Braid and Harry Vardon, from Jersey, teed-up on the Championship Course to play an exhibition match.

They had been tempted north by JH Taylor, a fellow member of the Great Triumvirate who dominated the era.

Not surprisingly, the match lured locals and golf fans from further afield in their droves, with an estimated 1000 spectators following the action on the links.

The club was given permission by the Town Council to erect a refreshment tent for the occasion.

Five times Open winner Taylor was a regular visitor to Dornoch every summer and he persuaded six times Champion Golfer of the Year Vardon and Braid, who matched Taylor’s tally, to make the journey north.

The pair received £15 for their services, with the Scot getting an additional £5 for posting the best score.

One hundred and twenty years ago, Braid carded two rounds of 75 while Vardon signed for 75 and 79.

Despite losing out, Vardon appreciated the quality of the Championship Course, later writing to the club: “You have indeed got a fine course up there at Dornoch. I should think it is the best in Scotland.”

Down the decades, many household names from the golfing world have followed in the footsteps of Taylor, Vardon and Braid to savour the Royal Dornoch experience for themselves.