The world’s oldest golf tournament: the Royal Gloucester Golf Club, was founded in 1809 by one of England’s most illustrious aristocrats.
The first written record of the club is from 1809. This year marked the founding of what is now known as the Royal Gloucester Golf Club. What set this club apart from other clubs was that it had a royal patron and it was open to all male members with an income of £100 per year with no entrance fee required.
The Duke of Gloucester is one of England’s most exalted aristocrats and his family has been associated with the game since the birth of modern golf in 1764 when King George III took up a set at St Andrews.
How the Course at Duke of Gloucester has Changed Over Time
The Duke of Gloucester course has changed a lot over the years. It was originally designed to be a course that each championship (group of holes) would play to a different length. Nowadays, it is designed with six par-fours and five par-sixes. There is also an increased emphasis on the greens and making them more challenging and more strategic for golfers.
The new design has been well received by players and media alike, with Golfweek Magazine awarding it 4th best golf course in America in 2017.
The Most Successful Players in the Course’s History
Some people think that age is a limitation to one’s abilities, but it does not have to be the case. In this article, we will look at some of the most successful players in the course’s history who have been able to beat their age limits and create a legacy for themselves.
Oldest golf players:
Hale Irwin, 76 years old – Hale Irwin has been playing golf competitively since he was 14 years old and has won 10 major championships titles. He is also one of three players in history to win The Players Championship four times.
Jack Nicklaus, 81 years old – Nicklaus is arguably the best golfer of all time, and he still holds records for winning 18 major championship titles and 73 PGA Tour events.
Tom Watson, 72 years old – Tom Watson is one of the oldest tour golfers who’s still playing professionally. He has won more than 75 international tournaments in his career and was rated the number one golfer in the world for a period of time. Tom was born September 4th, 1949 in the United States.