Musselburgh Links Old Course, like St Andrews, is located on common land and under the care of the local authority. As St. Andrews flourished at the end of the nineteenth century and its story became widely known, Musselburgh Old Course’s nine holes could not keep pace with the demands of golfers, and new 18-hole courses, designed by the legendary James Braid, were built nearby at Prestongrange and Monktonhall. It was inevitable, as these became popular, that golfers would move away from the ancient links. At the end of the nineteenth century nearly sixty clubs and societies were known to play their golf in Musselburgh. Today, only Musselburgh Old Course Golf Club (MOCGC) can call the World’s Oldest Golf Course home.
Documentary evidence records golf being played on Musselburgh Old Course in 1672, earlier than any other course. This evidence has been recognised by Guiness World Records confirming Musselburgh Old course as the world’s oldest surviving golf course. Mary Queen of Scots is believed to have played the course in 1567; its origins however are probably in the twelfth or thirteenth century. The first tournament for women was held on the course in 1811 and it was one of the three founding venues for The Open along with Prestwick and St. Andrews, Musselburgh Old Course hosted The Open six times between 1874 and 1889. Many of the golfing legends have played there, including Open Champions Willie Park Senior – winner of the first Open Championship in 1860 – Willie Park Junior, Tom Morris Senior, Tom Morris Junior, Willie Fernie, Mungo Park, Jamie Anderson, Bob Ferguson, David ‘Deacon’ Brown and J H Taylor.
The Musselburgh Old Course is hugely important in terms of golf’s past but it can and must play a more significant role in the future. Not only should its rich tapestry of history be widely known by all lovers of golf, it should prompt golfers to ask; “Why haven’t I heard more of Musselburgh? Why didn’t I know it’s the oldest golf course in existence?
Musselburgh has produced a rich abundance of golfing history that is still savoured and appreciated today and increasingly around the world. The club promotes all the golf legends that made Musselburgh a place to be respected and admired. The club appreciates the essence of the era, the skill of the players, the craft of the caddies, the art of the club and ball makers – who all plied their trade – in what was a golfing Mecca, ‘The Cradle of Golf”.
Today the Club at the World’s oldest golf course stands proud to speak of Musselburgh’s indelible past. They are honoured to be associated with these great happenings and also, perhaps even more importantly, confident of a bright future ahead. Through their Associate Membership program (£85) anyone in the world can be a member of the World’s Oldest. The club are certain that all members, wherever they come from, will proudly join them in their endeavours and ensure MOCGC has the worldwide recognition it so richly deserves.
Members – whether full time or associate – feel great pride in being a part of golf history. They work together as a club to raise Musselburgh – The Cradle of Golf – back to international fame.
Members and the public alongside Tony Jacklin will join together in 2010 to undoubtedly feel the tight and unyielding bonds of golf history as they celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the First Open Champion (Willie Park Senior) at the first annual Scottish Golf Heritage Festival.
Tags: Golf Contest
[...] 1st $300: The World’s Oldest Golf Course (by: Laura McGregor) http://site.iznadgolf.com/blog/2009/12/12/the-world%e2%80%99s-oldest-golf-course-by-laura-mcgregor/ [...]