Under their arm each carries a strange assortment of wooden implements. They march, like prisoners under guard, accompanied by four members of the gentry, whose role it is to ensure that none among them shall transgress.

They are about to make history by playing the first ever round of the Open Championship. It was in the Red Lion Inn, that the Open Championship was conceived. Used in 1860 as the clubhouse for the Prestwick links, it was from here that the historic eight would have made that famous march before each striking a ball in turn and thus beginning a championship which has now become one of the leading events in the modern sporting calendar.

The inaugural Open Championship was contested among only eight entrants, all of whom were professionals of sorts, either caddies or club or ball makers. The Prestwick Club recognisied the gatherings importance to professional golf and proposed that the tournament be held over 36 holes of medal play. It would be open to professional golfers from all clubs. Ironically the idea was greeted with little enthusiasm by all the clubs concerned and, in the end, Prestwick decided to go it alone.

The first players teed off at 12 noon and the entire field had completed the 36 holes before dark. This is in marked contrast to the modern Championship, which now takes four days to complete. Willie Park won the first Open with a score of 174, and a two stroke lead over Tom Morris, who had moved to Prestwick from St Andrews to be Keeper of the Green in 1851.
The Open Championship returns to Ayrshire in 2009.
16 – 19 July 2009 The 2009 Open is taking place across the legendary links of Turnberry. The best players and the world’s media will descent on the small town of Ayr. Book your place now

The Turnberry Ailsa course has hosted 3 Open Championships - 1977, 1986, 1994, famed for the “Duel in the Sun” it home to one of the most exciting finishes in Open history.

For more information on the Open Championship go to opengolf.com