Johnny Farrell
GENTLEMAN ON THE LINKS
For over 8 decades, World Golf Hall of Famer, Johnny Farrell, had a starring role in the development of the game of golf. In his short 15-year playing career he amassed 18 Top 10 finishes in 25 major appearances on his road to 27 professional victories.
Johnny is perhaps best known as the 1928 US Open Champion who conquered the great Bobby Jones in a 36 hole playoff. Few realize that he also has a dominant and record-setting 8-tournament winning streak in 1927 and that he was a star participant in the first three Ryder Cup Matches.
Beyond his playing career, "Handsome Johnny" was the trusted teacher to 5 presidents, countless Hollywood stars, a developer of junior and women's golf programs, a broadcast pioneer of a 1950s golf television show, a writer of 3 books, an innovative philanthropist supporting military veterans, and the patriarch to 1966 Golf Family of the Year.
But above all, Johnny was a gentleman.
DEFINING A CHAMPION
Courage. Honor. Dedication.
The son of Irish immigrants, Johnny Farrell began as a caddy in New York and rose to become one of the finest golfers in the world with a classic flair that earned him the name Handsome Johnny and awards as the Best Dressed Golfer in the 1920s.
Farrell’s importance on the history of the game cannot be overstated. The 1920s were a crucial era in the development of golf in America. For the first time, golf was on the big screen in movie theatres and was fast becoming a sporting activity available to the masses. With his popularity and influence, Farrell introduced countless golfers to the game.
Winner of the 1928 US Open, 27 Professional victories and star of the first 3 Ryder Cup teams, Farrell positioned himself as one of the dominant golfers of his era, and the sports press of his era eagerly took notice. Grantland Rice said of Farrell, "Now that he has crashed through the main gate there is a big chance that he may be one of the classic figures of golf – one to be compared on even terms with Bobby Jones and Harry Vardon."