A look back at the three previous editions of the U.S. Open played at The Country Club in Brookline

It took until the 19th playing of the U.S. Open for the tournament to make it to The Country Club. It proved well worth the wait.

The most famous playing of the event in Brookline, readers may be familiar with the story of the tournament thanks to the Walt Disney movie, The Greatest Game Ever Played, based on the book by Mark Frost.

A 20-year-old amateur by the name of Francis Ouimet shocked the golf world when he knocked off British stars Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in an 18-hole playoff.

Ouimet, a Brookline native, grew up on Clyde Street, directly across from The Country Club’s 17th hole. From age 11 to 18, Ouimet caddied at the club, learning to play the game during that time.

After finding moderate amateur success, Ouimet was asked to participate in the 1913 U.S. Open at his home course, which had been moved from June to September to accommodate the schedules of visiting Vardon and Ray.

Ouimet began the tournament with a four-over 77, but crept into the top-10 by the end of the second round with a one-over 74. He trailed Vardon, who was tied for the lead, by four strokes, and Ray, who was tied for second, by two.

Friday morning’s third round was highlighted by another 74 from Ouimet, whose steady hand through rough conditions vaulted him into a tie atop the leader board at six-over with Vardon and Ray. In the afternoon session, Ouimet was able to dance around a trio of double-bogeys.

On the 17th and penultimate hole of the tournament, Ouimet trailed Vardon and Ray by a stroke. In pouring rain, he sank a birdie putt to draw even with the two Brits, beginning the lore of The Country Club’s “Elbow.”

The following day, it was on that same 17th green where Ouimet secured his U.S. Open title. Leading by a stroke, the amateur once more birdied “Elbow,” as Vardon fell by the wayside with a bogey to drop three shots back.

Ouimet eventually won the playoff by five strokes with a one-under 72, becoming the first amateur to ever win the U.S. Open.

One of golf’s most unlikely upsets, Vardon and Ray were widely regarded as the top two players in the world at the time. Ouimet’s win has been said to have ignited the popularity of golf in the United States.