This Day in Golf History: March 20

Harry Vardon, the legendary English great who won the Open Championship six times and has a method of holding the club named after him, among other things, died on this date in 1937, age 66. Vardon is the only six-time winner of the Open and was born on Jersey of the Channel Islands. He also won the 1900 U.S. Open. He died of a tuberculosis-type disease. Of his many legacies is the Vardon Grip, aka overlap grip. Also on this date, Cary Middlecoff won the Jacksonville (Fla.) Open at Hyde Park Golf Club in 1950. He shot a 69 the final day to win the $2,000 first-place money. The World Golf Hall of Fame member won at least one tour event for 10 straight years from 1947 to 1956, and won 36 events overall.