4 October is National Golf Lover's Day, a day that golf enthusiasts look forward to with great excitement. Because the PGA has held an annual charitable event on this day since 1952, this day is sometimes referred to as National Golf 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 – which was first played on 17 October 1860 at the Prestwick Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland – is known as The Open Championship.
Golf is a very popular sport and has a long history in the United States, which includes the following interesting facts:
– An advertisement for golf clubs and -balls first appeared in the Royal Gazette of New York in 1779.
– A notice for the Annual General Meeting of a golf club in Savannah was published in the Georgia Gazette in 1796.
– In the 19th century, golf became a firmly established sport.
– 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 formed the United States Golf Association (USGA).
– In 1910 there were 267 clubs affiliated to the USGA.
– Walter Hagen was the first native-born American to win the British Open Championship in 1922.
– In 1932 there were more than 1 100 clubs affiliated to the USGA; in 1980 there were over 5 908, and in 2013 there were over 10 600.
Celebrate today by visiting a golf course to play a round of golf, or watch someone else play. If you are not near a golf course, gather your friends and family and go out to a mini golf course and have some fun.
Use #NationalGolfLoversDay to post on social media.