Tales From The Bunker

Apparently I have a fascination with old golfers (hopefully my wife also does). So to continue the series on early golfers we feature Allan Robertson. Probably not a single reader has any idea who he is and until last weekend I did not either. But while doing research on a different old golfer (future blog) I ran upon Allan.

Robertson has the unique distinction of being generally regarded as the world’s first professional golfer. In the mid 19th century golf was played mainly by well-off gentlemen as hand-crafted clubs and balls were expensive. Professionals made a living from playing for bets, caddying, ball and club making, and instruction. Robertson was the first and the most famous of this pros. Legend says Robertson himself was never beaten as an individual when playing for money

Robertson was considered the premier ball and club maker of the time, and exported his merchandise all over the world. It was a lucrative trade with an ever-increasing market. The business was originally set up by his grandfather, who passed it down to his son before Robertson himself finally inherited it. When the less expensive guttie ball was introduced Robertson tried to suppress it adoption to protect his 100 year old business of making the more expensive featherie ball. Realizing it was a battle he could not win, he quickly began making the guttie ball.
He also turned to golf course design and Robertson’s first design work, in which he was assisted by Old Tom Morris, was at Carnoustie in 1842, when the two laid out ten new holes. Carnoustie gradually evolved into one of the world’s best courses. He also significantly improved the Old Course by enlarging its greens, to allow for the increase in golf popularity. The out-and-back flow of play over a narrow strand of fairway at the Old Course eventually led to the establishment of huge double greens, virtually unique in Scotland.

Robertson died at age 44 a few months after an attack of jaundice. The Open Championship came about as a result of Robertson’s death. Since he was recognized as the best player during much of his lifetime, golfers at Prestwick formed a competition in 1860, to decide who would succeed him as the ‘Champion Golfer’. The Open, continuing annually ever since except for war years, is the longest-running golf championship, and the oldest of the four major championships.

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