In 1916, Ouimet was banned from amateur competition because of an interest he had in a sporting goods store in Boston. The USGA apparently felt he was cashing in on his celebrity status as a golfer. Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Who is Francis Ouimet?
Bettmann/Getty Images Brent Kelley is an award-winning sports journalist and golf expert with over 30 years in print and online journalism. Francis Ouimet was a pioneer of the American golf scene, a lifelong amateur whose unlikely victory in the 1913 U.S. Open is widely credited with growing the game of golf in the United States.
How did Francis Ouimet change American golf?
A biography of Ouimet on the website of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund says: "There were very few players in America, no public courses, and the game was confined mostly to the wealthy. Ouimet's victory changed all of that.
What did Ouimet say about amateur golf?
Ouimet remained deeply involved in amateur golf for the rest of his life, as a successful player and then as an organizer and advocate. "Golfers should not fail to realize that it is a game of great traditions, of high ideals of sportsmanship, one in which a strict adherence to the rules is essential."
When did Louis Ouimet win the US Open?
He won the U.S. Open in 1913 and was the first non-Briton elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. [1] [2] Ouimet was born to Mary Ellen Burke and Arthur Ouimet in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb west of Boston.
See more
Who is the greatest amateur golfer ever?
Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete at a national and international level. During his peak from 1923 to 1930, he dominated top-level amateur competition, and competed very successfully against the world's best professional golfers....Bobby Jones (golfer)Bobby JonesBattles/warsWorld War II, European theater4 more rows
How old was Francis Ouimet when he won the Open?
20-year-oldIn 1913, Ouimet, a Massachusetts native and 20-year-old amateur, won the U.S. Open at the Country Club. Michael Thorbjornsen will try to make a run this year, with his longtime friend as his caddie. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Anyone can read what you share.
How did Eddie Lowery make his millions?
He became a multi-millionaire as an auto dealer in San Francisco. Lowery and Bob Hope were friends and they both played in the 1951 British Amateur. He enjoyed sponsoring young amateur golfers, such as two of his employees: Venturi and Ward.
Where was Francis Ouimet?
Brookline, MAFrancis Ouimet / Place of birthBrookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, in the United States, and part of the Boston metropolitan area. Brookline borders six of Boston's neighborhoods: Brighton, Allston, Fenway–Kenmore, Mission Hill, Jamaica Plain, and West Roxbury. The city of Newton lies to the west of Brookline. Wikipedia
Is Francis Ouimet real?
Francis DeSales Ouimet (/wiːˈmɛt/) (May 8, 1893 – September 2, 1967) was an American amateur golfer who is frequently referred to as the "father of amateur golf" in the United States. He won the U.S. Open in 1913 and was the first non-Briton elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
How accurate is the greatest game ever played?
As far as historical accuracy is concerned, The Greatest Game Ever Played takes liberties, but fewer than it might. This is a reasonably faithful account of what happened during the 1913 U.S. Golf Open.
How old was Eddie Lowery when he caddied for Francis Ouimet?
10-year-oldEddie Lowery was born in Newton, Mass., on Oct. 14, 1902 – the second of seven children from a poor Irish family. He is most widely remembered as the 10-year-old who caddied for Francis Ouimet – a 20-year-old amateur from meager means – when Ouimet took down Ted Ray and Harry Vardon in a playoff at the 1913 U.S. Open.
Who was Francis Ouimet wife?
Stella M. SullivanFrancis Ouimet / Wife (m. 1918–1967)
Who is the oldest US amateur golf champion?
U.S. Amateur Records January 5, 2022Age. Oldest Champion (years/months/days) 47/3/9, Jack Westland, 1952. ... Champions. Most Victories. 5, Robert T. ... Course. Longest Course. 7,760 yards, Erin Hills, Erin, Wis., 2011. ... Entries. Largest. 7,920 (1999) ... Match Play. Largest Winning Margin, 18-Hole Match. 9 and 8, Harry Todd d.
Was Francis Ouimet a caddy?
Francis Ouimet was a relatively unknown 20-year-old amateur and former caddie, when he defeated Harry Vardon and Ted Ray at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ouimet grew up in a modest home across the street from the 17th hole at TCC, and was self-taught, learning to play in his backyard.
Did Francis Ouimet play in the Masters?
Ouimet, the revered amateur who won the 1913 U.S. Open over British stalwarts Harry Vardon and Ted Ray at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., had been invited by Augusta National President Bobby Jones to compete in every Masters since its inception in 1934.
What nationality was Francis Ouimet?
AmericanFrancis Ouimet / Nationality
Where did Ouimet win the Country Club?
Furthering the folklore, Ouimet's win came at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., a course Ouimet had grown up across the street from, in a working class neighborhood, and where he had worked as a caddie.
What is the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund?
Today, the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund is considered "The Golf Charity of Massachusetts," and is one of the largest independent scholarship organizations in New England. The Ouimet Fund was founded in 1949 by friends of Ouimet.
How many majors did Ouimet win?
Ouimet won three major championships of his day, one professional major (he played as an amateur) and two amateur majors. His victory in the 1913 U.S. Open, discussed more below, was a huge boon to golf in the USA.
How many times did Bobby Jones and Ouimet meet?
He faced Bobby Jones in match play four times. Ouimet won their first meeting, in the 1920 U.S. Amateur, then Jones won the next three. "A match against Bobby Jones is just as though you got your hand caught in a buzzswaw," Ouimet once said.
What is Ouimet's last name?
Sometimes called "the father of amateur golf" in the United States, his last name is pronounced "wee-MET.". Ouimet was born on May 8, 1893, in Brookline, Mass., and died on September 2, 1967, at the age of 74.
When did Ouimet play in the Walker Cup?
Ouimet played in the first Walker Cup in 1922, and on seven more American teams. He was player-captain on two of those, and non-playing captain four more times, the last in 1949. He remained a major figure in golf after his competitive days ended, becoming the first American captain of the R&A in 1951.
Who was the golfer who stood between Harry Vardon and Ted Ray?
Francis Ouimet stand between Harry Vardon (left) and Ted Ray (right) in 1914, one year after their historic U.S. Open playoff. Bettmann/Getty Images. Francis Ouimet put American golf on the map. In the early 20th Century, golf was dominated by the English and Scots. In 1913, the great Harry Vardon and his British compatriot Ted Ray were in America ...
Ouimet's Wins in Major Championships
Awards and Honors For Francis Ouimet
Biography of Francis Ouimet
Ouimet's Wife and Family
Ouimet's 10-Year-Old Caddie, and Inspiring A Book and Movie
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Francis Ouimet Trivia
- Ouimet was the first to achieve victories in both the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. His Open win came first, followed by one year his first amateur championship in 1914.
- He faced Bobby Jones in match play four times. Ouimet won their first meeting, in the 1920 U.S. Amateur, then Jones won the next three. "A match against Bobby Jones is just as though you got your h...
- Ouimet was the first to achieve victories in both the U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur. His Open win came first, followed by one year his first amateur championship in 1914.
- He faced Bobby Jones in match play four times. Ouimet won their first meeting, in the 1920 U.S. Amateur, then Jones won the next three. "A match against Bobby Jones is just as though you got your h...
- Through well-connected friends, Ouimet for a brief period was a small-percentage owner of the Boston Braves Major League Baseball team. He also for a time served as a president of a minor-league ho...
- In 1951, Ouimet became the first American to serve as captain at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
Significant Tournament Wins by Francis Ouimet