Thank you Royal Troon!

Xander Makes Golf History!

Xander Schauffele has joined an illustrious group of major champions who have won both an Open and one of golf’s other major championships in the same year.

The first golfer to achieve this feat was John Ball, Junior who claimed the 1890 British Amateur and the 1890 Open. The list has since added the likes of Walter Hagen, Bobby Jones who did it three times, Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson who did it twice, Nick Faldo, Nick Price, Mark O’Meara, Tiger Woods who did it three times, Padraig Harrington & Rory McIlroy.

I think it’s safe to say that Xander also solidified his place in the Hall of Fame. In the span of a couple of months Xander went from the list of “best to have never won a major” to Hall of Fame Candidate. Congrats Xander!

It’s Time To Return to Muirfield

The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers has been a critical part of the Open Championship, ever since Young Tom Morris won the Open Championship thrice in succession.

It was the Honourable Company that brought the Open to Old Musselburgh Links in 1874 and in 1892 the Honourable Company took the Open with them to their new course at Muirfield Links for an additional 16 Opens. Combined the Honourable Company has hosted the Open Championships an amazing 22 times… and yet it hasn’t hosted an Open since 2013.

Part of that absence was due to its membership policies (men only), however in 2017 the club voted to allow women as members. Now 7 years later, it remains Openless with the next opportunity to host a full decade after that critical vote.

It is my hope that Muirfield returns to the Rota in short order and becomes a more regular Open Rota host. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers is part of the fabric of our game- it was their club that wrote the first formalized rules of golf, & the club that held (technically) the first “open” championship back in the 1700s. The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers was there when the Open needed it in 1872 and now I would argue that it’s time to repay that debt and return Muirfield to its rightful place within the Rota.    

Last Chance to Join Me For a Historical Tour of Scotland

The Society of Golf Historians is traveling with PerryGolf to offer a Historic Golf Trip to Scotland August 7-15, 2025. We have four spots open BUT to join me you have to reserve your spot before July 31, 2024.

The trip will include rounds at St Andrews Old Course, St Andrews New Course, Carnoustie, Prestwick and Royal Troon with optional rounds at Old Musselburgh Links & on Bruntsfield’s Short Course. We also have room for a few non-golfers and the pricing is adjusted accordingly.

In between and perhaps during rounds, Connor will entertain the group with the history of golf, live recordings of the TalkinGolf History Podcast & the opportunity to visit with golf historians & visit some of golf’s great historical sites. 

*Note: Connor’s optional and private activities are in the planning stages and pending confirmation. PerryGolf is not conducting these aspects of the itinerary.

For a detailed itinerary and pricing please visit:

 http://www.perrygolf.com/custom/?quote=14492028)

Itinerary Overview: 

August 7th- 

Fly into Edinburgh Scotland 

August 8th - Arrive 

Overnight Intercontinental Hotel in Edinburgh, Scotland 

August 9th - Edinburgh 

Optional Play Day (Not included): Play Old Musselburgh Links (9 holes) with an option of renting hickory clubs to experience the only 9 hole links course to host an Open Championship. Explore the surrounds of Musselburgh including the historic club houses which once surrounded its links. 

If time allows we will visit Archie Baird’s Private Museum in Gullane 

-Visit Leith Links, the once 5 hole golf course where the first rules of golf were written & technically the first Open was played. 

Tentative round on the short course at Bruntsfield Links 

Travel to St Andrews 

Overnight stay at the Fairmont in St Andrews 

 August 10th - St Andrews 

Play St Andrews New Course. This amazing links course was designed by Old Tom Morris himself in 1895. 

Walking history tour of St Andrews

Record a live Podcast on the History of St Andrews

Overnight stay at the Fairmont in St Andrews

August 11th - St Andrews 

Play St Andrews Old Course 

Connor is working on some unique and historical experiences in St Andrews

Overnight stay at the Fairmont in St Andrews

August 12th - Carnoustie 

Play Carnoustie 

Tentative Recording of Live Podcast 

Overnight stay at the Fairmont in St Andrews

August 13th - Prestwick 

PLAY Prestwick Golf Club 

Connor is working on some unique and historical experiences in St Andrews

Dinner or drinks at Red Lion 

Overnight stay at Troon Marine Hotel

August 14th - Royal Troon 

PLAY Royal Troon 

Overnight at Troon Marine Hotel

August 15th – Depart from Glasgow airport 

This is a golf history trip like no other. I hope you will consider joining me in Scotland. There are only seven golfer spots available and must be reserved by July 31,2024. 

To make a reservation click on this link http://www.perrygolf.com/custom/?quote=14492028 or call our Golf Travel Expert at PerryGolf, Gary Sheppard at 800-344-5257 ext. 228. You can also send him an email at [email protected] .

Thank you for taking the time to read our free weekly newsletter dedicated to the history of the game of golf. If you enjoy it, please let your friends know that they should subscribe too. Again it’s completely free of charge!

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T.