Golfing Dates to Remember

Out To Play Golf 1999 - 2010

	Dates to Remember in Golfing History during the Twentieth Century
1903	The first PGA (News of the World) Matchplay tournament was held.
1907	Open Championship was won by Arnaud Massy who became the first overseas player to win this Championship.
1908	The R & A decided that the Rules should be freely available to all players. A deal, which is still in operation today, was made with the Royal Insurance for sponsorship to enable the publication of all the English language copies.
1909	A limitation is placed for the first time on the form and make of golf clubs.
1910	The definition of a legal club is incorporated within the Rules of Golf. The Open Championship is won for the fifth time by James Braid.
1912	A record of eight times is achieved by John Ball as he wins the Amateur Championship.
1914	Sixth time winner of the Open Championship - Harry Vardon.
1920	Previously run by various host clubs, the Open and Amateur Championships become the responsibility of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club. The first regulation on the ball is introduced to the Rules of Golf by the R & A and the USGA. Weight must not exceed 1.62 ounces - Diameter to be no less than 1.62 inches. The Scottish Golf Union was formed.
1922	Council of National Golf Union is constituted. Long Island, New York hosted the Walker Cup for the first time in the USA - the USA won Great Britain & Ireland 8-4.
1927	USA beats Great Britain & Ireland in the Ryder Cup by 9.5 - 2.5 when it was played at Worcester, Massachusetts for the first time.
1929	This year sees the legalising of steel shafts on golf clubs by the R & A.
1930	The Grand Slam ( the Open, US Open, the Amateur and US Amateur Championships) is won by Bobby Jones.
1931	A new legal ball limit is set by the USGA - maximum weight 1.62 ounces and minimum diameter of 1.68 inches.
1932	Introduction of the Curtis Cup was won by USA at Wentworth when they beat Great Britain & Ireland 5.5. - 3.5
1939	New limits are placed on the number of clubs that can be used in golf tournaments. The R & A stipulate no more than fourteen can be used.
1946	Sam Snead wins the Open Championship in the year that walkie-talkies are first introduced on the course during this competition.
1947	Winner of the Open Championship this year is Fred Daly.
1948	Third win in the Open Championship by Henry Cotton. The R & A take control of the Boys' Amateur Championship.
1951	Ireland hosts its first Open Championship at Royal Portrush where Max Faulkner takes the trophy. The English Ladies' Golf Association was founded.
1952	An important year for golf as the first worldwide unified code of rules is brought into effect. The Golf Foundation to promote and develop golf among the young players is established.
1953	Ben Hogan wins the Open Championship at Carnoustie and returns home to a heroes welcome.
1955	St Andrews provides the venue for the Open Championship which is covered on live television for the first time.
1957	To cooperate with the television coverage of the Open Championship the leaders after 36 holes go out last for the first time ever.
1958	Introduction of the Eisenhower Trophy - World Amateur Team Championship.
1962	A step forward for women's golf as they are allowed to join the PGA on the same basis as men.
1963	The only left-handed player ever to win the Open Championship - Bob Charles. Youths (Mid-Amateur), Championship is taken under the wing of the R & A.
1965	Fifth time win for Peter Thomson in the Open Championship.
1967	The US Women's Open which was played at Hot Springs, Virginia. was won by Catherine Lacoste of France. She became the first and only amateur winner of this competition.
1968	1.68 inches for the golf ball diameter becomes compulsory in all PGA tournaments - initially for a three year period.
1970	For the fifteenth time the Irish Ladies' Championship is won by Philomena Garvey.
1971	This is the year that the PGA European Tour with twenty seven events and a prize fund of almost £500,000 is founded.
1973	A record of ten appearances in the Ryder Cup is achieved by Christy O'Connor Senior.
1974	Live Television coverage of the European Tour begins in this year and the larger ball of 1.68 inches becomes compulsory for the Open Championship.
1975	The inauguration of the LPGA Championship.
1976	Women's golf progresses again with the institution of The Women's British Open Championship.
1977	Headquarters for the PGA is set up at The Belfry. A tenth win in the Irish National PGA for Christy O'Connor Senior.
1978	The WPGA ( Women's Professional Golfers Association) is formed.
1979	The Ryder cup becomes Europe v USA for the first time as Continental players become eligible for play. A prize fund of £80,000 is found for the first WPG (European) Tour.
1980	At Muirfield Tom Watson wins the first Open Championship to be played from Thursday to Sunday.
1984	The Rules undergoes a major reorganisation with a language update.
1986	World Ranking makes its appearance and the European Satellite Tour is started.
1987	This year sees the first British Womens' golfer win the US Womens' Open - Laura Davies. Europe wins the Ryder Cup in America for the first time. - The Championship took place at Muirfield Village.
1988	A knighthood is posthumously bestowed on Henry Cotton for his services to golf. The US Masters is won for the first time by a Briton - Sandy Lyle.
1989	At Peach Tree, Atlanta, the Walker Cup is won for the first time in America by Great Britain & Ireland.
1990	The Solheim Cup is established between women professionals of Europe and the USA. The larger ball is now the only legal golf ball for all golfers.
1997	A record is set by Nick Faldo as he makes his eleventh appearance in the Ryder Cup.
1998	The European Ladies' Tour is the new name for the WPGET.
1999	The Order of Merit is achieved for the seventh consecutive year by Colin Montgomerie.