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BRITISH OPEN
When?
Annually on the weekend after the third Friday in July.
Future Locations:
Significance:
Winning the British Open carries a prestige that comes with few golf tournaments. It is also the oldest of the four major golf championships with its roots dating back to 1860. The Open Championship, as it is called in the United Kingdom, is the third event following the Masters Tournament and the U.S. Open, and preceding the PGA Championship.
With oversight by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A), the British Open is played on the weekend following the third Friday in July. While the PGA European Tour always recognized the Open as an official event, it recently became part of the PGA Tour in 1995. Past British Open victories are now retroactively considered PGA Tour wins. Nine historic courses located throughout the United Kingdom rotate hosting duties every year.
Unlike other tournaments, professionals and amateurs must qualify to play on the beautifully maintained, yet challenging courses. While the links are pretty to look at, the weather combined with the unique surfaces are the professional golfers’ true adversary at the British Open.
Some rules at the British Open are as unique as the topography. Golfers tied at the end of regulation play a four-hole playoff starting with the 1st hole and then move to the 16th, 17th, and 18th holes. If a deadlock is still in effect, play on the 18th hole is repeated until there is a winner. However, victory is well worth it, as is raising the Claret Jug (the Golf Champion Trophy) high in the air.
Who attends?
Golfing fans from around the world come to watch the world’s best golfers navigate some of the world’s most difficult courses.
History
When the first Open Championship was played on October 17, 1860, at the Prestwick Golf Club, only professionals were allowed. That rule would change the following year. Eight pro golfers played three 12-hole rounds. Willie Park, Sr., (Junior would eventually play too) beat the just-as-aptly-named Old Tom Morris (yes, there was a Young Tom Morris who golfed) by two strokes. No prize money for the first three years went to the winner and the Claret Jug had yet to be created. Instead, Park was presented with a Champion’s Belt made of red leather and a silver buckle with various emblems adorning the strap. Most winners in those formative years were Scottish professionals who made their livings as greens keepers, club makers, and caddies.
With the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (until 1920) taking over the administration of the tournament in 1871, more golfers were flocking to the Open. By 1898, two rounds of qualifications were implemented to winnow down the number of participants.
After nearly a century of ups and downs that included the cancellation of the 1871 Open due to a championship committee in disarray, the British Open was added to the PGA Tour’s official schedule in 1995. The British Open is a place of history, most recently with the famous wave goodbye by Jack Nicklaus in 2000 while Tiger Woods looked on. A passing of the torch, of sorts. At least it wasn’t a red belt.
Notable Athletes:
Tiger Woods
Ernie Els
Todd Hamilton
Tom Lehman
John Daly
Jack Nicklaus
Tom Watson
Lee Trevino
Bobby Jones
Peter Thomson
Greg Norman
Records:
Oldest winner: Old Tom Morris (46 years, 99 days), 1867
Youngest winner: Young Tom Morris (17 years, 181 days), 1868
Nation with most titles: United Kingdom, 70
Multiple Winners:
Six wins: Harry Vardon
Five wins: James Braid, J. H. Taylor, Peter Thomson, and Tom Watson
Four wins: Walter Hagen, Bobby Locke, Old Tom Morris, Young Tom Morris, and Willie Park, Sr.
Three wins: Jamie Anderson, Seve Ballesteros, Henry Cotton, Nick Faldo, Bob Ferguson, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tiger Woods
Two wins: Pádraig Harrington, Harold Hilton, Bob Martin, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Willie Park, Jr., and Lee Trevino
Things to know before you go:
Ace: A hole-in-one.
Front nine: The first half of a round of golf.
Back nine: The second half of a round of golf.
Fore: A warning cry to other players that your ball is headed in their direction.
Par: A certain number of shots needed to hole your ball depending on the hole’s distance and difficulty.
Birdie: One under par.
Eagle: Two under par.
Albatross: Three under par.
Bogey: One over par. Double and triple bogeys are self-explanatory.
Tickets:
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.comTravel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.comPremiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.comSports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
The best action and drama will most often take place on the 18th hole. Grab a seat in the grandstand if available and await history to be made. Get there early because the area fills up fast. Note that smoking and alcohol are not permitted on most courses.
Best place to get up close:
One specific area is usually designated for autograph seekers. This helps to create a more orderly, non-Happy Gilmore environment as opposed to spectators approaching golfers for a quick signature between holes. Check with the course to find out the exact location.
Best travel tip:
While the British Open is played on a specific course, other links close by and throughout the country are perfect for a quick golfing excursion during off times. England boasts many British Open-style venues. Scotland offers some of the finest courses in the world. Play where golf history has been made. For golfing packages where you can play some of these great courses try
www.tseworldgolf.com.
Notable Quotes:
“Any golfer worth his salt has to cross the sea and try to win the British Open.”—JACK NICKLAUS, renowned professional golfer
“It is incredibly gratifying to sit here and know my name is on this trophy. If you look at the names of the players who have won the Open championship and the golf courses they’ve won it on, it’s a tremendous honor.”—MARK O’MEARA, professional golfer
Relevant Websites: