On the 26 August 1943, one of the leading professional golfers of the first quarter of the 20 century, ‘Ted’ Ray [1877-1943] died aged 66.

Ray won two major championships, the Open Championship in 1912, and the US Open in 1920. Ray  was also the captain of the British team in the inaugural Ryder Cup, in 1927.

Born at Marais, Grouville, Jersey, in April 1877, he learned his golf on the Grouville Links. One of large number of local boys who later became professional golfers, including Harry Vardon, his brother Tom, the Gaudin brothers, the Boomer brothers and the Renouf brothers. Ray was a tall, well-built man, known for his prodigious power, although his shots often landed in awful positions. In addition to his prowess on the golf course, he was also useful at billiards and lawnbowls.

Ray turned professional in 1894 at the age of 17, initially working as a club-maker before becoming a professional near St Malo, and in 1899 took a position as club professional at Churston Golf Club,  Devon.

During his time at Churston, he was encouraged by the club’s committee to enter The Open Championship from 1900 to 1902, and was granted a week’s leave of absence and five pounds for expenses each year. After leaving Churston, in early 1903, he replaced Harry Vardon as the head professional at Ganton Golf Club, and in 1912 took a position at Oxhey Golf Club,  Watford, Hertfordshire.

Ray favoured an attacking style, and as a consequence had to develop phenomenal recovery skills. Cartoonists usually depicted him with a niblick in hand, festooned with clumps of heather and saplings, with an inseparable pipe clamped between his teeth. Ray was admired by fans for his daring play, friendly, genial manner and optimistic spirit.

Ray was also a fine clubmaker and advertised his business while the professional at Oxhey. He specialised in the production of drivers, mashies, and niblicks.

Before World War I Ray was often overshadowed by the Great Triumvirate of James Braid, J.H. Taylor and Harry Vardon and after the war by George Duncan and Abe Mitchell.

26 August, 2019