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Article by Terry S Vostor

The leader-board of the famed British Golfing Open sure has its followers on the local telly, no doubt about it what so ever

The history of the British Majors themselves goes back to the date of Wednesday October 17, 1860 when eight top golfers gathered at Scotland’s Prestwick links to play all three rounds of the 12 whole (not 9 or 18) golf course. At that point in the history of the British Open it was entrants from Scotland who ruled the roost and the links for trophy status. The first Open champion was Musselburgh’s Willie Park, with a winning score of 174 for the first 36 holes. Then another streak of lightening. Unbelievably Thomas Morris won the set four times running in the decade of the 1860′s. Nothing more could be said after the Younger Tom won the award three times. He was sent home packing cherishing the then awarded Red Morrocan Belt Trophy award after he placed first three times in a row. What a feat of accomplishment. The famed “Silver Claret” jug trophy is held as one of the most dearest and famous golf trophies worldwide. Sadly, Young Tom Morris died at an early age, however it can be said that were no shortage, if not plenty of aspirants ready to challenge for the game’s senior trophy, and Jamie Anderson ( 1877-79) and Bob Ferguson ( 1880-82) both won three successive title. It would be a long time in coming – seventy years indeed – when this would be again accomplished. Lightening does not strike twice in the same place – well at least no often. A rare and valued occurrence indeed.

Initially the series of rounds was held at the venerable long established Prestwick course, but its days were numbered and limited by the vast array of fine golf courses on the horizon. Variety is said is the spice of life. Andrews, Musselburgh, Muirfield, Sandwich and Hoylake had all hosted this golf world championship. It was not only Stanwick at which the events were scheduled. New and even more challenges golf courses had been set up and built. The sport had expanded and grown greatly in scope. Competition always results in advances and improvements. It was not only the golf equipment – golf balls, woods, irons and putters that had moved along. New and additional golf courses had been built in the British Isles and Scotland. How could the Open not be held at these locales? It was only a matter of time until the whole British Open moved to the full and growing circuit of premium and most challenging golf runs.

It seemed that one grouping of golfers won the early British Open championship rounds again and again. Observers of the series could count on that.

The first American resident to win the British Open was the avid and respected golfing pro Hutchison. Still British and Scottish golfers and their masters could still state with pride that after all, “Jock” was one of theirs. After all he was of British stock, born, bred and raised in the U.K. He was just temporarily residing in the USA. It would only be a matter of time until he saw the light and moved back home. A Briton is always a Briton whereas a colonialist or to that matter an alien will always remain as such. The trophy status ( at least in the eyes of the British) was still firmly in their hands and in their control. No doubt about that what so ever. Even though an American of British decent had won the title, it was always considered the domain of golfers from “back home” ( that is the British Isles).

That was upon Walter Hagen arrived on the scene of the hosted British golf majors. The British domination was over, and basically apart from the occasional victory it has never really been regained. What a pity.

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