Scottish Open: Scottish Open History

The Scottish Open Championship was born in Prestwick in 1860  It was suggested by Old Tom that the game, having lost its undoubted Champion, should attempt to establish who the best player was and so the Club purchased the red morocco belt for ?25, which would be the Scottish Open trophy for the next twelve years.

The Scottish Open trophy was played over 36 holes. However, the 36 holes consisted of 3 rounds of the courses, then 12 holes and the winner ? who was deemed, as the Scottish Open Champion Golfer for the year was Willie Park with a score of 174.

Prestwick would hold the first eleven Scottish opens, the last of this line of consecutive events being in 1872 when Tom Morris Jnr, or Young Tom, won for the fourth time. Having been allowed to keep the belt in 1870 when he won for the third time running, hence why no event was played in 1871.

So when Prestwick Golf Club, The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, Royal Liverpool Golf Club and Royal St. Georges all financed the purchase of the present trophy, the Claret Jug. The decision was then taken to move the Championship around these clubs. Prestwick would host the Open on another twelve occasions, the last being that won by Jim Barnes in 1925.

So the history of golf and Prestwick Golf Club will be forever linked as the famous old links is the true ?Home of the Scottish Open Championship?