Allan Robertson

Allan Robertson (1815-1859) was the first golfer to gain public recognition. He was the first man to break 80 on the Old Course at St Andrews, which he did in 1858. At that time such a score was considered a marvel. Robertson came from a family of professional golfers who made "featheries" at St Andrews. Indeed, when the gutta-percha ball arrived Robertson would have nothing to do with it and this caused a rift with "Old" Tom Morris who was apprenticed to him at the time. Robertson is reputed never to have lost a match. Whether this is strictly true is doubtful but it is certain that he lost very few and he was never beaten when partnered by "Old" Tom Morris. Their most famous match was against the Dunn brothers when, after being four down with eight to play, they won the final two holes of a three-cornered contest at North Berwick to win by two holes.

"Old" Tom Morris

"Old" Tom Morris (1821-1908), so-called to distinguish him from his son -Old- Tom Morris. four times "Young" Tom, was apprenticed to Allan Open Champion. 1861-1867. Robertson at St Andrews as a ball maker and His bust is on the R & A soon started to partner him on the golf course. clubhouse at 5t Andrews. He quarrelled with Robertson, however, over the introduction of the gutta-percha ball and left St Andrews to become green keeper at Prestwick in 1851. He was instrumental in arranging the first Open Championship which was played at Prestwick in 1860. Although favorite to win, he finished runner-up to Willie Park Snr, losing by two strokes. "Old" Tom Morris gained his revenge the following year when he completed the three rounds on the 12-hole course in 163 strokes and he won again in 1862, 1864 and 1867. In 1868, he gave way to his son "Young" Tom, who was the most brilliant player of his or possibly any other generation. "Old" Tom is reputed to have said, "I could cope wi' Allan (Robertson) myself, but never wi' Tommy". "Old" Tom returned to St Andrews in 1865 as green-keeper and then professional to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, a post he held until his death, He died in 1908, aged 87, after falling down the staircase at the new clubhouse. A kindly and much-loved man, no golf was played at St Andrews on the day of his funeral in honor of his memory. His bust looks down on the first tee from the front of the Royal and Ancient clubhouse to this day.