Page "Prestwick Golf Club" Paragraph 3

Prestwick is famous as the initial originator and sponsor of The Open Golf Championship, the oldest of golf's four major championships.

Discussion of The Open's future concept began soon after the 1859 death of Allan Robertson, longtime professional at St Andrews, who had been considered supreme for some 20 years until his death ; the concept of the Open was to find the new ' champion golfer '.

The first Open was held in October 1860, with three trips in one day over the course's 12 holes to make for 36 holes ; the field consisted of eight leading professionals.

The winner was presented with a red Morocco Belt with silver clasps purchased by the members at a cost of £ 25.

The club annually staged all the Opens up to 1870, as well as the 1872 Open ; cash prizes were also awarded to leading finishers.

Young Tom Morris, son of Old Tom, learned his golf from boyhood at Prestwick, and captured four consecutive Opens held there from 1868-1872 ( there was no Open in 1871 ).

By winning the Belt three straight times, Young Tom was entitled under the conditions of the competition to keep it, so there was no prize to play for in 1871, and hence no Open.