Francis Ouimet stunned the golfing world by winning the 1913 US Open at twenty years of age. His victory changed the landscape of golf in the United States, as over two-million people embraced the game in the following decade.
Francis had a partner in crime; his diminutive (“Not much bigger than a peanut”) impoverished caddie, Eddie Lowery.
On September 18, 1913 immediately prior to Francis’ opening tee ball, ten-year old Eddie Lowery had the unenviable task of informing Francis that Jack Lowery (Eddie’s older brother and Francis’ caddie in the US Open qualifying round), who along with Eddie was nabbed by a truant officer the previous day, decided to attend school on Thursday in lieu of a bag at the US Open. Eddie, the less responsible younger brother, hopped on three street cars to eventually deliver the message and offer his services for the weekend. Francis, with few options, dispatched Eddie to the first tee, clubs over the shoulder.
Facts:
• Eddie was the second of seven children
• Eddie’s father, a gardener at The Country Club, was killed in an industrial accident in 1912, one year prior to the US Open.
Even at the age of ten, Eddie was a steadfast influence on Francis being equal parts psychologist, cheerleader, mentor and taskmaster. The story takes a turn on Saturday morning, prior to the start of the playoff round. Local influences, sensing history in the making, suggested that Eddie was not the man for the final eighteen holes. Ouiment’s response was resolute: “I’m sticking with Eddie.” Their mutual loyalty and friendship would last a lifetime.
Fact:
At the end of the playoff round, the $300 pursue was awarded to the runner-up (Harry Vardon) due to Ouimet’s amateur status. A hat was passed through the crowd to tip the young caddie. The amount of the tip was in the vicinity of $125, a virtual fortune for the likes of the Lowery family in 1913. Today, that $125 would amount to about $3,100.
The author Mark Frost, in his book The Match described Eddie Lowery’s persona as “An alpha wolf in a terrier body” (5’9”/125 lbs.) with the “gifts of gab and hustle” along with a “working class chip on his shoulder”. Those attributes, and ninety holes of golf with Francis Ouimet, changed the trajectory of an impoverished child into a life of wealth, fame and notoriety, on and off the course.
Ouimet and Lowery (lifelong amateurs) made countless contributions to the growth and prosperity of golf and are recognized as founding fathers of American golf. Ouimet more understated and reserved, Lowery more ostentatious and splashy. Lowery was a competitive amateur for thirty-plus years, an advocate for the amateur game and a representative at the USGA level.
Resume:
• 1919 and 1920 Massachusetts Junior Champion
• 1927 Massachusetts Amateur Champion
• 1951 Played in British Amateur Championship
• 1953 USGA Executive Committee (focus on turf management)
• 1955 Clambake Pro Am Champion (with Byron Nelson)
• 1999 Caddie Hall of Fame
Eddie never made it past the tenth grade however, his lack of formal education was by no means a deterrent to his success. Eddie began his post-caddie career as a sports writer for the Boston Traveler, found success in advertising in the Boston area and in the mid-30’s, after the birth of his son (Edward Jr.) and the death of his first wife (Elizabeth), he moved to the west coast and bought a car dealership in San Jose. In the early 1950’s Van Etta Motors (Eddie’s company) was recognized as the largest and most successful Lincoln-Mercury dealership in the United States.
Facts:
• Eddie’s son died in WW II
• Eddie’s second wife, Louise, died in 1951
• Eddie’s third wife, Margaret, died in 1998
• Eddie died in 1984
Stay tuned for Part 2 Continued, coming soon…
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