From 1913 US Open victory a century ago, Ouimet built a sport and a legacy

Published January 13, 2015

As the world's top golfers gather at Merion for the final rounds of the U.S. Open, The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., is preparing to celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the sport's pivotal moments.

Francis Ouimet's (WE-met's) victory in the 1913 U.S. Open did more than create a legend of a local boy and his caddie.

It also changed the game of golf.

Ouimet lived across the street from the 17th green at The Country Club. It was at that hole that he sank a birdie to force a playoff with top British professionals Harry Vardon and Ted Ray.

Ouimet won the playoff by five strokes. On his bag for all 90 holes was 10-year-old Eddie Lowery, who was skipping school. The two remained lifelong friends.

After the victory by the 20-year-old American amateur, golf spread across the country, with thousands of new courses and millions of new players.

The U.S. Amateur will be played at The Country Club in August. Ouimet won that tournament twice.

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