Lesson 3: The underdog Story: Francis Ouimet
In 1913, something happened at a golf course in Massachusetts that changed American golf forever. A 20-year-old amateur named Francis Ouimet entered the US Open.
Ouimet was not a wealthy club member. He had grown up across the street from the golf course and had learned the game as a caddie — carrying bags for other people. He was competing against the two best professional golfers in the world, both from England.
Everyone expected the English professionals to win easily. Nobody expected the young American caddie to have a chance. But in a dramatic playoff, Ouimet won.
The story made front pages across America. A working-class kid who grew up carrying bags had beaten the world’s best. Golf was no longer just a game for the wealthy. Ouimet opened a door — and through it walked millions of American golfers.
In 1913, Francis Ouimet — a 20-year-old American caddie — won the US Open against the world’s best professionals. His win opened golf to ordinary Americans.
Francis Ouimet was a caddie who won the tournament he used to carry bags at. What does this story teach us about what is possible when you work hard at something you love?
Write a newspaper front page about Francis Ouimet’s 1913 US Open win. Give it a headline, write 3-4 sentences describing what happened, and draw a picture of the moment. Make it exciting — because it was! This is one of the greatest upset stories in sports history.
The newspaper front page format gives young writers a structured, achievable genre. Encourage dramatic headlines. The story itself is genuinely thrilling and translates well to child-appropriate writing. Some children will want to research more — follow that impulse.