Willie Park Senior

1834 – 1903

Born Musselburgh, Scotland, Park is remembered as one of the greatest golfers of the last century. His story and the story of his brother, Mungo, and son, Willie, are an integral part of golf’s heritage.

Park was fortunate to grow up in an environment in which golf was undergoing a metamorphosis into a worldwide sport. Although the game was typically the preserve of the wealthy, due to the cost of hickory shafted clubs and ‘featherie’ golf balls, there was still opportunity for ordinary folk to enjoy the game.

Park came from the caddy ranks to become a golf professional. Although he later set up his own ball and club making business, he made his money from challenge matches. He was a great adversary of Old Tom Morris, Willie Dunn and Allan Robertson. In 1860, Park beat a field of eight including Old Tom Morris, to win the inaugural Open Championship. He won again in 1863, 1866 and 1875 and was runner up four times. However, back then, challenge matches were more keenly followed than the Open. Matches between Old Tom Morris and Park were especially popular with large crowds attending.

PARK WINS FIRST OPEN – REPORT

Prestwick, on the west coast of Scotland, was the venue for the first Open Championship. The prize was the Challenge Belt, subscribed for by members of Prestwick Golf Club. Clubs around England and Scotland were each invited to send not more than three professional players to compete in the competition, which was held over three rounds of the twelve-hole links course. There was no prize money, but the winner received custody of the Belt for the year. If a player won the Belt three years in succession, it would be his to keep.

The first Open Championship was played on Wednesday, 17th October in windy conditions. Tom Morris, the Keeper of the Green at Prestwick, was the local favourite, but Willie Park took the first round lead with a score of 55, three shots better than Morris. Both Park and Morris did the second round in 59 strokes, so Park maintained his lead. In the final round, Morris could only make up a single stroke when he shot a 59 to finish on 176, so Willie Park, who went round in 60, was the first Open Champion with a score of 174.