Vardon & Ray – Champions at Flempton

Golf Champions At Flempton – Press Report

13th May 1922

Exhibition Match between Harry Vardon & Edward Ray

Tickets 5/- Shillings for members and two of their family 3/- Shillings for the public

A Large Crowd gathered at Flempton Links to witness a battle of two great champions of the game. Harry Vardon (Oxley GC) and Edward Ray (Toteridge GC) Both of whom are multiple Open Championship winners with many other prestigious honours to their names.

The weather could not have been better, and both players remarked on the excellent condition of the course considering the drought the previous summer, also that it was an interesting course.

The match in the morning between the two champions was productive of some very skilful play. Vardon started well and his putting brought forth much applause. Ray made a wonderful recovery shot at the 7th and they were all square at the 13th, but Ray made an exceptional putt at the 16th and went 3up with 2 to play. The final scores Ray 74 / Vardon 81 (Ray losing two shots for hitting out of bounds)

Morning Scorecards:

Ray: Out 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 6 = 41 Home 4 4 5 4 3 4 3 3 3 = 33 Total 74
Vardon: Out 4 4 5 5 4 5 3 4 6 = 40 Home 5 5 4 4 5 5 4 4 5 = 41 Total 81

The afternoon match the champions teamed up to play a four-ball against Mr J.H.S Cannon (Captain of Royal Worlington & Newmaket GC) & Mr C.H. Prowse (Captain Cambridge University GC) The latter who’s achievements in the recent Inter Uni Match were recollected and produced some brilliant strokes, while Mr Cannon brought considerable praise for his putting.

Ray & Vardon returned 32 Out & 34 Home for a total of 66 / Prowse & Cannon returned 38 Out & 35 Home for a total of 73.
So the Champions who gave their amateur opponents a 2up start won 4up with 3 to play.

Afternoon Scorecards:

Ray & Vardon
Out 4 4 4 3 3 3 4 4 = 32 Home 5 4 4 4 2 4 4 3 4 = 34 Total 66
Prowse & Cannon
Out 4 4 5 4 4 5 4 4 4 = 38 Home 5 4 5 4 2 4 4 4 3 = 35 Total 73

It should be noted that Mr Cannon has entered the Amateur Championship as has Col H. E. Hambro (Flempton GC) who was to have played in the exhibition but was unfortunately engaged elsewhere. Afternoon Tea was catered for by Mr Frank Taylor Of the Golden Fleece BSE.

The Clubhouse, Flempton Golf Club, Flempton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP28 6EQ