150th Open at St. Andrews

30th March 2022/Ally Reid

The first ever British Open Golf Championship was played at Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, on 17^th October 1860. A field of only eight professionals competed for the coveted trophy – then the silver-buckled Challenge Belt. The competition was played over three rounds of the twelve-hole course, in a single day, and Willie Park Snr. was the proud winner of the inaugural Open championship.

Little could those original eight professional players have envisaged what the Open of modern times would be like. Traditionally played on links courses, 162 years later the Old Course at St. Andrews, on the east coast of Fife, will host the 150^th Open Championship.

A large field consisting of the cream of world golf will compete for the Claret Jug, as well as some considerable prize money! Rather more than the 1863 prize of £10, which was to be shared among the professionals who finished in second, third, and fourth places. Amateur golfers were admitted in 1861 and a first-place cash prize for professionals of the princely sum of £6 was added in 1864.

The Open remained at Prestwick for the years 1860 to 1870. Since 1872 the Championship has been played at a number of different courses in rotation. Nine courses currently host the Championship – five in Scotland (Old Course St. Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Ailsa at Turnberry and Royal Troon) and four in England (Royal St. George’s, Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham and St. Annes and Royal Liverpool.)

The Open is one of golf’s four Major tournaments, along with the US Masters, the US Open, and the Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Championship, and it’s the oldest (almost) continually run tournament in the sport of golf. Unlike playing the other Majors, on the more manicured courses in the USA and on nice sunny days, the Open’s competitors have to grapple with the seaside elements. The weather, and tee times, can have quite profound effects on playing conditions!

The 150^th Open in 2022 is undoubtedly a very significant event in the history of the sport of golf. Accordingly, a beautiful pewter quaich has been produced to commemorate this landmark Open Championship.