HISTORY OF GOLF
The true origins of the game we've come to know and love as golf has been debated by historians for years. There is some evidence that points to Belgium, The Netherlands and Scotland as having developed the game.
Evidence has been found to show that ancient Romans in Caesar's reign played a game similar to golf. They used a leather ball stuffed with feathers and hit it with sticks as onlookers got to watch live golf for the first time!
Most historians believe that the game was invented by a Celtic shepherd, that had gotten bored and began hitting stones about with his staff!
No matter where it actually began, Scotland is attributed for developing the game into the form we see today. The Scottish people used a variety of clubs to hit a small leather ball stuffed with feathers toward a hole dug in the ground.
History records show that in 1457 the Scottish Parliament voted to ban the game! Their soldiers had began to play golf in their spare time instead of practicing their archery skills! The game was banned so the soldiers would practice more and be ready for battle!
Whether they liked to play or watch live golf, the game seems to have been an obsession with the early Scottish people taking up most of their free time. This obsession led to the Church putting forth a decree forbidding anyone to play the game on the Sabbath.
In the sixteenth century, James VI of Scotland became an avid golf player. He overturned the previous bans on the sport and it quickly became a game that was played by many!
Other people of royalty also began playing the game avidly. The first woman player recorded in history was Mary Queen of Scots. The game was endorsed by the House of Stuart and became a very popular pastime with all the royals.
Although the games exact origins are not quite known, there is not doubt that the first real golf course was in St. Andrews, Scotland. There is written history to show that games were played there as far back as 1552.
With the addition of a golf course the game became a public attraction where many fans could watch live golf! And, the games popularity grew even more.
The first known real golf club the Royal and Ancient Golf Club was established in 1754. It was the first time golf was formalized at St Andrews.
Prestwick Golf Club hosted the first Open Championship, it was restricted to only professional players. There were eight players that finished the three rounds on the twelve hole course in a single day. A crowd of spectators gathered to watch live golf at this historical event!
The first documented game of golf played in North America was in Charleston, South Caroline. The local newspaper mentioned the event that occurred at the South Carolina Golf Club in 1786. Of course, it's certain that golf had been played in America for several years prior to that event.
There's no doubt that the first American golfers were in South Carolina. Written accounts show that a social golf organization would meet regularly in Charleston to play the game as early as 1743. A few years later a group of golfers formed in Savannah, Georgia.
The first real golf club in North America was founded in Canada and named the Royal Montreal Golf Club in 1873. West Virginia became the place with the first golf club and course in America at White Sulphur Springs.
An immigrant from Scotland became known as the father of American golf. John Reid was a successful executive looking for a fun way to spend his free time. Being of Scottish decent, he of course knew about the game of golf.
When one of his good friends was about to make the trip back to Great Britain, he asked him to buy some golf balls and clubs for him. These early balls were molded from tree sap!
In February of 1888, Reid made a three hole course in his cow pasture and invited several friends to watch live golf! Several of the friends were so impressed by the game that they ordered their own balls and clubs to begin playing!
After spending several years playing in the cow pasture they moved on to another property that allowed them to have a six hole course. Reid then joined with four of his friends to form the St. Andrews Golf Club, that is now considered the first permanent golf club in America.
The club made several moves to allow for more space. In 1897, the club made it's last move to Mt. Hope. There they built a eighteen hole course and the club is still one of America's greatest golf clubs!
The games popularity continued to spread and golf clubs began appearing all over America. Many of the existing clubs such as hunting and dining clubs also began adding courses for their members. Many of the members loved playing the game, but lot's of members also enjoyed being able to watch live as members played!
During the 1890's golf clothes followed a specific style at many of the clubs. Golfers wore a red jacket with brass buttons and a winged collar. They also wore a tie, vest, stockings, cap and knickers!
The British Professional Golfer's Association, the world's oldest golf association was formed in 1901. It was followed in 1911, by the Professional Golfer's Association of Australia.
The early 1920's saw the first Professional Golf Tours in America. And, although womens golf grew in popularity as quickly as it did for the men, Professional Women's Golf only appeared after World War II.
Golf fans everywhere got to watch live golf on television in 1953 when the World Championship Tournament was aired for the first time! And, the U.S. Open was presented on television for the first time in 1954.
Since it's beginning golf has evolved into one of the world's biggest sports industries! The clubs and balls have been perfected to play the sport with the utmost skill. But, just like in the earlier days there will always be some who love to play the sport and some who love to watch live golf!
More and more people each year are becoming avid golf players. Many are making a living at the sport and others are finding it a way to relax and unwind. Today you can watch live golf in almost any city or enjoy the tournaments on television.
It is estimated that in the United States alone there are over 16,000 golf courses and every year over 50 million American's spend their leisure time playing the sport!
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