Marking The Anniversary of The First Professional Golf Tournament
The Open is arguably the most famous golf tournament in the world, but it also happens to be the oldest. Its origins date back over 160 years ago to 17 October 1860 when the first professional golf tournament was held at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland. This inaugural event was a very small affair compared to the grand championship that is watched by millions of spectators around the world today.
Leaving a legacy
The idea for the championship came about after the death of Allan Robertson, a professional player who was widely regarded as the greatest golfer in Scotland at the time. Having been undefeated in his professional golfing career, Robertson left quite a legacy. So the members of Prestwick Golf Club decided that a tournament would be held to find the new Champion Golfer of the Year – a title which is still used to this day.
In sharp contrast to the major sporting events of today, this first tournament featured just eight participants, all of whom were professional golfers from Scotland. The contest consisted of 36 holes, played over three rounds on the 12-hole course. There was no prize money for the winner. Instead, the contestants competed for a Challenge Belt, made from red Moroccan leather with silver detailing, worth £25.
A keen rivalry
The prize was won by Willie Park Sr, after a closely fought battle with Tom Morris, who was the club’s Keeper of the Green, Ball and Club Maker. Park beat Morris by just two strokes, achieving a score of 174. This sparked off a rivalry between the pair, who competed against one another in several Open Championships, with both winning the title on four occasions.
Following the success of the inaugural event, the club opened the tournament up to amateur players as well as professionals – hence the name the Open. Prize money was introduced in 1863, with the second, third and fourth place winners sharing a pot of £10. From 1864, the winner also received a cash prize.
The Challenge Belt was handed down to the winner of the tournament each year until 1873, when it was replaced by the Claret Jug, also known as the Golf Champion Trophy. The trophy remains the winner’s prize today, with a total prize fund of several million pounds.
A modest marker
From its humble beginnings as a small contest with a handful of players, the Open has evolved into one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. Today, it stands alongside the US Open, the Masters and the US PGA Championship as one of the four men’s Major Golf Tournaments.
Prestwick Golf Club held its final Championship in 1925, but it will forever be known as the birthplace of the Open. Visitors to the course should look out for a small stone cairn which lies to the west of the clubhouse. This modest marker commemorates the spot where the first shot of the Open was played all those years ago.
