1851 - 1860 - 1851 – 1860

1851

Prestwick Golf Club is founded on 2nd July at a meeting of 57 gentlemen in the Red Lion Inn with the 13th Earl of Eglinton elected as its first Captain. Tom Morris is recruited by James Ogilvy Fairlie to be Keeper of the Green, Ball and Clubmaker. He serves Prestwick until 1864 when he returns to his native St. Andrews.

1860

Prestwick organises and hosts a competition for Professional golfers on 17th October. So began golf’s most famous event, the Open Championship, with its original prize of a Challenge Belt being won by Willie Park with a score of 174 for three rounds of 12-holes.