| What country invented 'golf?' Many countries did. If | | | | played 35 years before the U.S. Open. It has been |
| there were sticks and objects that could be hurtled | | | | called "The World Open." Players from around the |
| along, then there was 'golf.' No one knows for certain | | | | globe participate, as they have for a century or |
| who started golf. But everybody knows who plays it | | | | more. The British Open is all-inclusive. The U.S. Open |
| now - everyone does. The origin of the name 'golf' is | | | | has been moving in that direction for the last decade. |
| believed to be the Dutch word of 'colf,' which means | | | | But the British Open has been accepting a cast from |
| 'club.' In the medieval ages, golf was also known as | | | | around the world since the turn of the century. It is |
| "spel metten colve,' which literally meant 'game with | | | | not known for certain when golf came to America - |
| clubs.' Nearly every area around the world has some | | | | only that when it got a toehold in the 20th century, |
| claim to the origination of golf. Scotland, of course, | | | | America became the world leader in great players. By |
| has its claim. But so do ,. Every country has a game | | | | 1900, the explosion of the game in America was |
| consisting of sticks and balls, and every country is | | | | complete. Proof was that, at the turn of the century, |
| correct in its assumption that it invented the game. | | | | there were more golf clubs in the United States than |
| But there is no one country where 'golf' actually | | | | there were in Britain. Tiger Woods came upon the |
| began. Still, Scotland is widely considered to be | | | | scene in 1996. He won eight times in 1999, nine times |
| birthplace of golf. And it began haphazardly, a way of | | | | in 2000, and won the four major championships in |
| hitting a pebble or other roundish object into a hole | | | | succession in 2000-2001, starting with the U.S. Open |
| by means of a stick or club. Edinburgh, Scotland, | | | | in 2000. Should his career be as successful in his 30s |
| claimed the first golfing society. The Gentlemen | | | | and 40s as it has been in his 20s, he will assume the |
| Golfers - later known as the Honourable Company of | | | | mantle of "best player ever." Women have played a |
| Edinburgh Golfers and today in residence at Muirfield - | | | | very large part in the history of golf, even before |
| claim their club was already under way in 1744. The | | | | the last half of the 20th century when they finally |
| first inter-Scotland club matches were played in 1857. | | | | achieved equality with men. Records of ladies playing |
| The world would wait until 1860 for the first British | | | | golf exist all the way back to the time of Mary |
| Open to be played. The British Open was being | | | | Queen of Scots. |