Francis Ouimet's victory in the 1913 U.S. Open was a defining moment in the history of American golf. The young amateur shocked the world with his victory over two of the very best, Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. It didn't hurt Ouimet's chances that the championship was played at the Country Club, which was across the street from his home, and the course on which he had grown up caddying. But what if the tournament had taken place somewhere else, or without the visiting champions? From the February 1913 edition of Golf . . .
As it turned out, after some cross-Ocean discussions, Vardon and Ray agreed to stick around, and the date was moved to September to accommodate them and the Country Club. But the prospect of the tournament having been moved raises some interesting "what ifs."
[Incidentally, Vardon and Ray did not play at NGLA on their tour. CBM had inquired about having them play NGLA and Piping Rock, but then balked at paying them their desired fee, $175 each for each course. According to CBM, he conferred with Robert Watson and other golf officials and they unanimously decided that it wouldn't be right to pay Vardon and Ray so much when they would never pay any of the American based professionals such an amount. Plus the two had apparently agreed to play elsewhere for a lot less. The National then scheduled a tourney with $1000 prize money for early September after the event at Shawnee and before the Championship, but Vardon and Ray did fit it into their schedule.]