Brookline hosts the US Open
Sept. 20, 1913: Francis Ouimet, 20, with lucky horseshoe in hand, got lifted up by fans after winning the 1913 US Open playoff. His caddie, Eddie Lowry, just 10 years old, sat in front with a towel draped over his neck. Ouimet, the first amateur ever to win the US Open, beat British professionals Harry Vardon by five shots and Ted Ray by six shots. He did this using just seven clubs in his bag. Ouimet, who went on to win several US Amateur Championships and played in the Walker Cup, never turned professional. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974.
The Ouimet Scholarship Fund
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Sept. 20, 1913: Ouimet, center, shook hands with English golf professionals Harry Vardon, left, and Ted Ray, at The Country Club in Brookline after his thrilling upset. The 18-hole playoff followed a three-way tie after 72 holes of tournament play. He became the first amateur ever to win the US Open Championship and he did it on his home course.
Associated Press
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June 17, 1963: The official preliminaries to the 63rd US Open Championship were launched at The Country Club with an early mustering of "Arnie's Army" as Arnold Palmer drove from the first tee on a practice round. Hundreds trooped after Palmer as he tested the course for the upcoming battle. He ultimately faced defeat in a playoff. It was the second year in a row Palmer lost the US Open in such a way.
Paul J. Maguire/Globe Staff
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June 23, 1963: Julius Boros, right, winner of the 1963 US Open, held the victory trophy after he won a playoff at The Country Club. With Boros, at left, was Francis Ouimet, who won the Open on the same course 50 years earlier. Boros bested Arnold Palmer and Jacky Cupit in the 18-hole playoff to win the $17,500 prize.
UPI Telephoto
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June 19, 1988: After leaders Curtis Strange and Nick Faldo passed on the final fairway, the crowd rushed for positions on the 18th green. Strange and Faldo arrived at the final green in regulation tied for the lead at 6 under par. The traveling scorecard can be seen to the left. They both made par on 18 and went to a playoff the next afternoon. The 88th US Open was won by Strange, who fired a level-par 71 to beat Faldo by four shots.
John Blanding/Globe Staff
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June 14, 1988: Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman on the first tee of an opening practice round. Despite presently holding the record for most majors ever won at 18, and despite winning the US Open as a rookie in 1962, Jack Nicklaus did not make the cut at The Country Club in 1963 or 1988. Greg Norman, one of the pre-tournament favorites had to withdraw during the second round when he injured his wrist hitting a concealed rock on his third shot at the 9th hole.
Frank O'Brien/Globe Staff
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June 17, 1988: With heavy crowds at every hole, a golf periscope came in handy at the 16th tee at The Country Club in Brookline at the 88th US Open.
David L. Ryan/Globe Staff
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