Peter Howell - Profile

Peter Howell – Harry Vardon's Son

As chronicled in Harry Vardon's biography, The Revealing Story of an Open Champion, Peter only learned of the identity of his father in 1944 when he was about to travel overseas to serve with the Fleet Air Arm.

Peter returned to England and went into commerce, eventually forming his own frozen food company.

Peter kept the secret of his father's identity for a further thirty years before meeting his second wife, Audrey. On hearing the story and researching the name, she realised that a biography of Harry Vardon was well overdue, not just to raise awareness of the achievements of such a legendary golfer but also the extraordinary private side of his life.

Peter played golf during his working life but due to business commitments only played on a regular basis when he retired and moved to Spain. He and Audrey were members of Torrequebrada Golf Club in southern Spain.

On returning to England, Peter took up Association Croquet and was Chairman of the Royal Tunbridge Wells Croquet Club for fifteen years. He has won the UK Veterans Championship twice, was the UK Golf Croquet Champion and has won numerous other trophies, playing in national tournaments as well as overseas.

He now lives in Devon and still plays croquet at Budleigh Salterton Croquet Club while keeping a close interest in the golfing world and in particular the legacy of his father. Peter and Audrey have a daughter, Beverley, who lives in Surrey.