County Down Professional Tournament

The County Down Professional Tournament was a golf tournament played in Newcastle, County Down, Ireland. The event was held just once, in 1898, and had total prize money of £105.

County Down
Golf Club

Location in Ireland

The tournament took place from 29 September to 1 October. The first day consisted of 36 holes of stroke-play. The leading 8 qualified to play in the match-play on the following two days. The weather was wet and windy on the first day and J.H. Taylor led the qualifying with rounds of 78 and 86, 2 strokes ahead of Sandy Herd. Taylor's round of 78 earned him £5 for the best round of the day. Harry Vardon had rounds of 84 and 87 and finished tied for 6th place.[1] The weather on the second day was much better. Taylor and Herd met in the first semi-final, with Taylor winning 2 & 1. Vardon beat George Pulford 4 & 3 in the other semi-final.[2] The final was very one-sided. In the first round Vardon won 13 holes to Taylor's 2 and finished the round 11 up. Vardon scored 71 for the round. The match finished at the 7th hole of the afternoon round where Vardon scored a two, Vardon winning the match 12 & 11.[3]