Tom saw his future in America and moved to Chicago to establish his career in golf. His longest tenure as a club professional was from 1916 to 1937 at the Donald Ross designed White Bear Yacht Club north of St. Paul, MN. The Upper Midwest is a testimonial to Tom Vardon’s design talents with the creative of Stillwater CC, Minot CC, The University of Minnesota Golf Course and Spooner GC to name a few. His signature “Pot Bunker,” which he is credited for creating, is still in use today. Like his younger borther Harry, Tom had a significant hand in developing golf in America.

Even though the brothers were separated by the Atlantic Ocean, Tom and Harry remained close with Harry’s visits to America. The two played many exhibition matches together across the country to the delight of large crowds. Although Tom never won a major, he was on the bag caddying for his brother when Harry Vardon won the US Open in Wheaton, Illinois in 1900. Harry also won the 1903 British Open at Prestwick, and his brother Tom finished second.

Tom & Harry Vardon; friends, competitors, golfers, brothers.