17th October 1860

The first Open Golf Championship takes place

Eight golfers teed off at Prestwick Golf Club to determine who was the world’s best golfer, following the death of Allan Robertson, who had long occupied that position. Among them was Tom Morris, who designed the course at Muirfield, but despite his brilliance with the club, he came second, to Willie Park Senior.

 

 

Other events that occured in October

  • 01

    Scottish queen Margaret Tudor dies
    Although born in London, Margaret Tudor was Scotland’s Queen between 1503, when she married James IV, and his death in 1513.

  • 02

    Vet ‘James Herriot’ is born
    James Herriot is the pseudonym of vet Alf White who grew up and trained in Scotland before moving to the Yorkshire Dales.

  • 03

    The Edinburgh Seven matriculate
    Seven trailblazing women, including Sophia Jex-Blake, made history when they were enrolled at the University of Edinburgh.

  • 04

    Tyre inventor John Boyd Dunlop dies
    John Boyd Dunlop is famous for ‘inventing’ the pneumatic tyre, despite an earlier patent for pneumatic tyres being granted to Robert Thomson.

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