The first Open championship was held at Prestwick in 1860 and was organised by the members who subscribed £25 to purchase the red morocco belt with silver clasps.
It was won by Willie Park of Musselburgh with a score of 174 over 36 holes. The belt was won in three successive years by Young Tom Morris from 1868 to 1870 and thus became his property. When Morris won for the third time, in 1870, he had a first round score of 47 (over 12 holes) was has never been equalled or bettered. He started with a three at the 578yard first hole that in  those days was probably a par 6. His Belt is now in the keeping of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St.Andrews. A replica belt was presented to Sandy Lyle, the winner of the 125th Anniversary Open Championship at Royal St.Georges Golf Club in 1985, another is on display in the Cardinal room in the Prestwick clubhouse.
There was no Championship in 1871, and thereafter Prestwick, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St.Andrews, and the Honourable Company of Edinburgh joined forces to purchase the current Claret Jug, played for in the Open Championship for £30. When the Championship was revived in 1872 Young Tom won again, thus winning the Open Four times in a row. A feat no other Golfer has ever matched, or likely will. In 1914 Harry Vardon won the Open for a record sixth time, three victories of which were won at Prestwick. 
The Amateur Championship has been held at Prestwick on eleven occasions from 1888 to 2001, in which year Michael Hoey was the Champion. The most remarkable final was between W. Lawson Little Junior of Presidio, USA and J. Wallace of Troon Portland in 1934. Little went round in 66 in the morning and started in the afternoon. 3 3 4 3 3 to win at the 5th hole by 14and 13. In 1952 the final of the Amateur Championship was between two Americans - Frank Stranahan and winner Harvie Ward. The last Amateur to be held at Prestwick was in 2001 as part of the celebrations for the club's 150th Anniversary.
Open Champions at Prestwick Golf Club |
