National Golf Lovers Day

Golf enthusiasts look forward to 4 October every year as it is National Golf Lovers Day – sometimes referred to as National Golf Day. Since 1952 the PGA has held a charitable event every year on this day.

Although it is believed that the modern game of golf originated in Scotland in the 15th century, its ancient origins are unclear and very much debated. The world’s oldest golf tournament is The Open Championship. It was first played on 17 October 1860 at the Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland.

Golf is a very popular sport and in the United States it has a long history.

? An advertisement for golf clubs and balls appeared in the Royal Gazette of New York in 1779.

? A notice of an annual general meeting for a golf club in Savannah was published in the Georgia Gazette in 1796.

? In the 19th century golf became firmly established.

? Delegates from the Newport Country Club, Saint Andrew’s Golf Club, Yonkers, New York, The Country Club, Chicago Golf Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club met in New York city in 1894 and founded the United States Golf Association (USGA).

? In 1910 there were 267 clubs affiliated to the USGA.

? Walter Hagen became the first native-born American to win the British Open Championship in 1922.

? In 1932 more than 1 100 clubs were affiliated to the USGA, in 1908 over 5 908 and in 2013 over 10 600.

To celebrate, go out and golf, or watch someone else play. If you are not near a golf course, gather your friends and family and go to a mini golf course and have some fun.

Use #NationalGolfLoversDay to post on social media.

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