Northam in 1871 was very different to the village of today and into it a child was born to Joshua and Susannah (née Heard) Taylor. They lived at what is now known as 22 Castle Street which in the 1871 census was known as Back Lane, Northam. The house still exists and a plaque erected by the Artisan Golfers Association celebrates the child’s birth. This little boy was John Henry Taylor.  He was born on 19 March 1871 and died 10 February 1963 aged 91, having lived for many years in Windmill Lane, Northam. He is buried in St Margaret’s Churchyard, Northam.

Coming from a humble family JH Taylor left school at eleven and went to work as a boot boy at Cleveland, Northam, for the Hutchinson family and was paid two shillings and sixpence (12½ pence) and a daily breakfast per week. After he had completed his work he would run down to the Royal North Devon and West of England Golf Club (in 1910 the name was changed to The Royal North Devon Golf Club) at Westward Ho! and caddie for tips while learning the intricacies of the game.  Eventually he was employed by the Golf Club and from these inauspicious beginnings a life-long career in golf and golf course design was born. He went professional in 1890 when he was 19 years of age and retired in 1949 when he was 78.

On the 17 April 1895, John married Clara Fulford at Bideford Parish Church and they had nine children, seven of whom survived to adulthood. They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 1955, but unfortunately Clara Taylor died the following year.

JH Taylor was the first to win the Open Championship five times – in 1894, 1895, 1900, 1909, 1913 – only to be bettered by James Vardon (a friend and rival) who won six times and whose record still stands. In 1901 JHT was a founding member and first Chairman of the British Professional Golfers’ Association, and he was twice the French Open Champion 1908 and 1909 as well as being the non-playing Captain of Britain & Ireland’s Ryder Cup match-winning team at Southport & Ainsdale Golf Club in 1933. He was elected President of Royal North Devon Golf Club in 1957.

A road in Northam was named J. H. Taylor Drive to commemorate one of the pioneers of the modern game of golf.