The First Open Championship was Closed

The oldest major championship in golf has been called The Open, the Open Championship and whether it is a disputed name or not, it has been called the British Open. But the first Open really didn’t have a name and despite what you may have heard - it was anything but “open.”

The first ever major championship was designed to settle the question asked around all of the golfdom, “who was the greatest golfer in the world?”

Prior to 1859 the answer seemed to be obvious- the greatest golfer in the world and to some… the greatest golfer who ever lived was Allan Robertson of St Andrews. Allan Robertson was the first man to break 80 on the Old Course & was the only golfer who was said to have never lost a golf match of consequence in his lifetime. So why did the golf world need the Open?

Allan Robertson died in 1859 and his passing left a hole in the game. His passing and the budding rivalry between Tom Morris & Willie Park opened up the opportunity to settle the matter once and for all… or at the very least…once every year. From this question the first major championship was born- a closed one. Perhaps we could call it the “Closed Championship, or for those pesky golfers, “The British Closed.”

The very first major championship, a championship that would later be called “The Open” was set to be held at Prestwick Golf Club on Wednesday, October 17, 1860. The professionals were to play 36 holes to decide the champion and the winner would receive a championship belt. But how did the professionals qualify to get into the championship? There wasn’t qualifying process… instead golf clubs from around the realm had to not only nominate each professional golfer, but they had to vouch for them. No cheating, lying, drunk caddies!

Caption:

Prestwick Golf Club - Championship Belt

It is proposed by the Prestwick Golf Club to give a Championship Belt to be played for my Professional Golfers; and the various Golf Clubs in Scotland and England are requested to name and send the best players on their Links, not exceeding 3 from any one Club, to compete for it.

The game to be played over the Links at Twelve O’Clock noon on Wednesday, the 17th of October present. Caddies- i.e. professional players not keepers of links must produce a certificate of respectability from the Treasurer of the Golf Club to which they are attached.

All disputes to be settled by the Captain of Prestwick Golf Club, or the person acting for him.

Colville, Captain

D. Dunlop, Secretary

Only eight golfers contended in the Closed Championship of 1860- perhaps because there were only 8 respectable professional golfers/caddies across the golf world;)

Newspaper Report following the first ever playing of golf’s oldest major.

Not only were these golf clubs held responsible for their caddies/professional golfers, but EVEN then these professional golfers were not trusted by the championship commitee. The winner of the first Open (Closed) Championship had to put down a deposit to take home the Championship Belt (precursor of the Claret Jug).  Why? Well we can assume they didn’t trust those professionals to return the Belt!

On top of all of that-

For the first four years, the winner of the Open actually lost money winning the championship, and in 1863 to make matters a tad worse, Willie Park won the Open, then had to put down a deposit to take home the Championship Belt, while the club paid Old Tom Morris for coming in second. That’s right- you won no money for winning, but second place was paid in 1863.

The very next year the winner started receiving a cash prize and the world’s greatest major was off to the races. For the record, the Open is my favorite major championship - so taking some of the prodding as tongue in cheek.

This is why golf history is amazing!!!

Donate to be a Part of Golf History

There is a plan to celebrate the history of golf and the Grand Old Man who acted as the catalyst for the game’s growth. You can be a part of making that celebration possible.

Fundraising is underway to dedicate a beautiful bronze sculpture of Old Tom Morris on the Scores, opposite the Scores Hotel which will soon be renamed the Seaton House Hotel in St Andrews.

Acclaimed golf historian, Roger McStravick clued me in on the special details behind the design of this beautiful sculpture. The image of Old Tom Morris is taken from the most famous photo of Old & Young Tom Morris.

This same photograph was used to serve as a tribute to Young Tom Morris’ life & can be found at the cemetery.

So in many ways this bronze sculpture of Old Tom Morris will reconnect the Father & Son. Two son’s of St Andrews who helped shape the game that we play today. Please consider donating.

There are three ways to donate:

(1) There is a charity Go Fund Me page https://gofund.me/2227ff2d.

(2) You can send a transfer to:

Bank of Scotland 

Account Name: The Old Tom Statue Project

Sort code : 80-22-60

Account Number 26212960 

(3) By sending a cheque made out to “The Old Tom Statue Project” at:

1 Scott Garden 

Kingsbarns 

Fife 

Scotland

KY16 8TL 

Join Me In Scotland in 2025!!!

I will be traveling with PerryGolf on a once in a lifetime trip to Scotland scheduled for August 7-15, 2025. PerryGolf is planning the logistics and golf & I will be planning the extracurriculars which should be amazing if you are a lover of golf history.

We will play 5 of the 14 links courses that have hosted the Open Championship including Old Musselburgh Links (which is an optional play date), St Andrews Old Course, Carnoustie, Prestwick & Royal Troon (host of this year’s Open). We will also play the New Course at St Andrews designed by Old Tom Morris himself.

Only 7 golfers can join me and to be one of them you must book prior to July 31, 2024. Come join me- it will be an amazing golf and golf history trip!

For more details click on the link below:

Or you can email: [email protected]

Either way I hope you will consider joining me.

Thank you for reading this newsletter and sharing it with your friends.

Until next time…

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T. Lewis