Ted Ray

Ted Ray was born on the Isle of Jersey in England, where he grew up idolizing fellow islander Harry Vardon. Playing at a time when the Great Triumvirate (Vardon, John Henry Taylor, and James Braid) dominated professional golf, Ray would become one of the greats of the game in his own right.

A tall, hefty man, Ray was known for prodigious power off the tee. His often wayward tee shots were overcome by his prowess with his niblick (9 iron). His reputation was enhanced by an ever-present pipe, which he smoked even while playing shots.

Ray won the Open Championship in 1912 and was runner-up the following year. He was best known for his part in the playoff for the 1913 U.S. Open, when American amateur Francis Ouimet defeated Ray and Vardon.

Ray played on Great Britain teams in international competition against fellow American professionals in 1921 and 1926, events which were precursors to the Ryder Cup. In 1927, he was player/captain for Great Britain in the first Ryder Cup.

Ray came to Inverness in 1920 and earned his only U.S. Open victory, rallying from a two-stroke deficit after 54 holes to beat a group of four golfers that included his idol, Harry Vardon.