| Today's top golf courses are designed to | | | | entrepreneur, Taylor earned a reputation for |
| perfection, featuring sweeping fairways and | | | | attention to detail as a teacher, club designer and |
| perfectly kept grass during peak golfing season. | | | | course architect, uniting various aspects of the |
| As far as the sport has evolved over recent | | | | game into a single unified career. Looking at his |
| decades, it's important to look back to some of | | | | accomplishments today, Taylor stands alone for |
| the pioneers who paved the way for modern | | | | his unique approach to the game. |
| course design and play - John Henry (JH) Taylor | | | | Taylor's Professional Career |
| rose from a caddy at the Royal Devon Golf Club | | | | Starting in 1891, Taylor began to play dominant |
| to become a professional and pioneer in the | | | | golf on the continent, winning a series of challenge |
| game. The British national champion went on to | | | | matches against local professionals. At the age of |
| win the Open Championship five times, and | | | | 20, he played with professionals who were much |
| served as the founding President of the British | | | | older, more experienced and had played globally |
| Professional Golf Association. | | | | -rising on the basis of raw talent and aspiration, |
| Walk along some of the finest courses today, | | | | Taylor won his first major with the 1894 Open |
| from St. Andrews to St. George's and you'll see | | | | Championship, putting himself on the map of global |
| the influence of Taylor quite clearly. In addition to | | | | golf in the late 19th century. |
| serving as captain of the Great Britain Ryder Cup | | | | From the turn of the century, European golf |
| team, he pioneered development of the European | | | | continued to evolve along with geopolitical |
| game and introduced a variety of innovations in | | | | instability. His career continued to aspire more |
| course design. Next time you're in the UK, drive | | | | athletes in the UK to take up golf, as he went on |
| by the Andover Golf Club or the Heaton Park | | | | to win the French, German and Dutch open, often |
| Golf Course and you can see direct courses | | | | winning as an underdog against top local |
| inspired by designs from JH Henry. From his play, | | | | professionals. While Europe was still decades away |
| professional leadership and athletic vision, Taylor | | | | from stability, Taylor stood fearless in his |
| helped pave the way for modern professional golf | | | | professional touring throughout the continent, as |
| in Europe today. | | | | he built an athletic community. |
| Along with James Braid and Harry Vardon, Taylor | | | | While the War Era slowed touring in Europe, |
| is considered one of the founding professionals in | | | | Taylor continued to work on the sport, later |
| modern British Golf. Born to a working class family | | | | returning to play after the Second World Way |
| in the Kingdom, he went to work as a young boy, | | | | and designing the Royal Birkdale course in the |
| working as a caddy and general worker near | | | | 1950s. After witnessing a transition in professional |
| Devon, gaining skills through observing local players | | | | sports, Taylor remained a prominent player in the |
| and playing on the courses after hours. An aspiring | | | | rise of the sport from beginning to end. |