| 1870 - 1950 |
| The name James Braid will
always be linked with those of Harry Vardon and
JH Taylor. The three were simply called the Great
Triumvirate. All three were born within 14 months
of each other, Braid being the oldest, Taylor the
youngest. Between them they won a total of 16
British Opens, but unlike the other two, whose
Open victories spanned 19 years (Taylor) and 18
years (Vardon), Braid packed his five successes
into just nine. His first came in 1901, his last
in 1910 and during this same period, there were
three runner-up spots as well. If Braid's
character had to be summed up in just one word,
then 'resilient' might well be it. He was never
one to let a crisis get in his way. He won the PGA Matchplay Championship four times and was a renowned golf course architect. Possibly his best known creations were the King's and Queen's courses at Gleneagles. Born in Earlsferry, Fife, in 1870, Braid had a reputation for being a long hitter. Legend has it, that while playing one day at Walton Heath, where he was the club professional, he drove the ball 395 yards - albeit wind-assisted. Braid stayed at Walton Heath for the rest of his life. He died in 1950, aged 80. |
 James Braid, pictured at Walton Health on his 80th birthday in 1950 |