The SOCIETY Newsletter #76

The Oldest Course in Ireland & Its Strange Connection to the First Open Championship

About an hour southwest of Dublin lies a historic patch of golfing ground that few outside Ireland truly appreciate — Royal Curragh Golf Club, the oldest golf course on the Emerald Isle. Established in 1858, Royal Curragh was the vision of Archibald Montgomerie, the 13th Earl of Eglinton, who at the time served as the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

Montgomerie, a product of Eton’s hallowed halls, was far more than just a political figure — he was a passionate golfer at a time when the game was still finding its modern identity. And in one of golf’s more delightful historical quirks, he happened to be a frequent playing partner of James Ogilvie Fairlie — the man who would go on to create the Open Championship.

It was none other than the Earl of Eglinton who suggested to his friend Fairlie that the winner of this new championship should be awarded a fitting prize: the Challenge Belt, a grand red Moroccan leather belt with silver embellishments. A trophy fit for the champion golfer of the year — and a tradition that would launch what we now know as the Open.

So the next time you hear of Royal Curragh or the Earl of Eglinton, remember: sometimes the quiet corners of golf history reveal connections that helped shape the game’s greatest stages.

A Thank You to Allan Robertson — The Man Who Made The Open Possible

As we celebrate the storied history of The Open Championship—the oldest and perhaps greatest major in golf—it is only fitting that we pause to give thanks to the man without whom it may never have existed: Allan Robertson.

Robertson, the greatest golfer of his era, dominated the game in the mid-19th century. Known as golf’s first true professional, he was unmatched in skill, craftsmanship, and knowledge of the game. But perhaps his most lasting contribution came not from the matches he won, but from what followed his untimely death in 1859.

When Robertson passed away suddenly in 1859, the question arose: who would now be recognized as the champion golfer? The answer came in the form of a new competition—what would become The Open Championship. In 1860, Prestwick Golf Club hosted the first Open to determine the successor to Robertson’s unofficial crown. That Open was won by Willie Park, Senior and the buddying Rivalty between Willie Park and Old Tom Morris solidified the Open for decades to come.

So, as we watch The Open unfold each year, with its rich traditions and unforgettable drama, we owe a quiet debt of gratitude to Allan Robertson. His legacy lives on in every Claret Jug raised and every shot played on the windswept links. Without him, the greatest major of them all might never have come to be.

If you would like to learn more about one of golf’s great legends, my dear friend and golf historian, Roger McStravick finished the book that Bill Williams was working on before his passing: Allan Robertson of St Andrews: The King of Clubs.

If you live in North America you can order the book at:

https://www.auldgreytoungolf.com

The Winner Who Lost - The Open’s First Playoff

In the chaos of what became a defining moment in golf history—Young Tom Morris winning The Open Championship three years in succession, retiring the original Open trophy, the Challenge Belt—another first quietly unfolded. It was the first playoff in major championship history. But this playoff wasn’t for the glory of first place. It was for second.

As Young Tom proudly buckled the most prized possession in all of golf around his waist, two of his competitors—Bob Kirk and Andrew Strath—prepared to battle once more over Prestwick’s 12-hole links. Their prize? An extra £2.

In those early days, Open prize money was a far cry from the fortunes players chase today. In fact, the first four Opens awarded no prize money at all. By 1870, the champion received £6, with £4 for second and £2 for third. So when Kirk and Strath finished tied for second, a playoff was ordered to settle the difference.

While Young Tom celebrated his historic triumph with his father and friends, Kirk and Strath returned to the windswept links. Kirk would prevail by four strokes, earning the dubious honor of becoming The Open’s first playoff winner—the man who won… but still lost.

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THANK YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s SOCIETY Newsletter. For the next three weeks we will be sharing some of the great history of golf leading up to the 2025 Open. For more great history check out our podcast: TalkinGolf History.

Yours in Golf History,

Connor T. Lewis