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Francis Ouimet: Topics in Chronicling America

In 1913, 19-year-old golf caddy, Francis Ouimet, stuns the golfing world by defeating two of the best golf players. This guide provides access to materials related to "Francis Ouimet" in the Chronicling America digital collection of historic newspapers.

Introduction

"Francis Ouimet, a youthful amateur, astounds the golfing world by beating veteran masters of game and winning Open Title." September 21, 1913. New-York Tribune (New York, NY), Image 13. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers.

Two of golf’s greatest players lose at the hands of an unknown. At just 19 years old, Francis Ouimet is transformed from local working class caddy to national hero in a few short days in September. An underdog story and a thrilling comeback. Read more about it!

The information in this guide focuses on primary source materials found in the digitized historic newspapers from the digital collection Chronicling America.

The timeline below highlights important dates related to this topic and a section of this guide provides some suggested search strategies for further research in the collection.

Timeline

December 1912 Harry Vardon announces his intention to compete in the US in 1913.
September 16, 1913 On the first day of US Open qualifying, Francis Ouimet shoots the low round of the day with a 74, but finishes the day one stroke behind Harry Vardon.
September 17, 1913 Ted Ray shoots a pair of 74’s on the second day of qualifying to lead the pack by three.
September 18, 1913 After the first day Britons, Harry Vardon and Wilfred Reid, lead the field. Fellow Brit, Ted Ray, trails by two strokes and Ouimet trails Vardon and Reid by four.
September 19, 1913 Ouimet gains ground on Vardon and Ray and is able to force a three-way tie.
September 20, 1913 In the playoff round, Vardon, Ray, and Ouimet played even on the front nine. Then, Ouimet pulled away on the back nine to beat Vardon by five strokes and Ray by six.
September 22, 1913 Ouimet publishes his own account of his US Open victory in the Evening World newspaper.