Willie Park Sr
Name:
William "Willie" Park SrCountry:
ScotlandLived:
[1833-1903]. Born in 1833 in Wallyford, near Musselburgh, East Lothian. Died on July 25, 1903 in East Lothian (age 70).Original/Home Club:
Musselburgh Links (Old course)Occupation:
Professional golfer, club and ball maker.Turned Pro:
c.1850MAJORS (4): The Open Championship 1860, '63, '66, '75. World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2005).
Willie Park Sr, son of James Park (agricultural labourer & gardener) and Euphemia Park (née Kerr), was a member of a famous Scottish golfing family. He was regarded as one of the top golfers of his day, and won the first Open Championship in 1860, and three more Opens in 1863, 1866 and 1875. His son Willie Park Jr won the Open Championship twice (1887, 1889), while his younger brother Mungo lifted the Claret Jug in 1874.
Like several other early professional golfers, Park started out as a caddie. He later ran a golf equipment making business. On the course, he made his money in challenge matches, often played against other top professionals of the day, most notably Willie Dunn (also from Musselburgh) and the "invincible" pair from St Andrews, Allan Robertson and Old Tom Morris. Park was strong and tall, a long hitter and an excellent putter.
When Allan Robertson died in 1859, he left a void for the mantle of Scotland's "Champion Golfer." In 1860, the country's top eight golfers gathered in Prestwick to find Robertson's successor. That honour was surely shared between Willie Park Sr, who won the inaugural Open Championship in 1860 (and three more in 1863, '66 and '75) and Old Tom Morris (winner in 1861, '62, '64, '67). In the same year as winning his first Open Championship title, Willie Park married Susanne Law. The went on to have 11 children, among them Willie Park Jr, who became a golf professional, Open Championship winner, instructor and writer, and renowned course designer.
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (15th) (Sept 10). Second-placed Bob Martin (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Park (Scot). This was the last of Park's four Open Championship wins. [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (7th) (Sept 13). Second-placed David Park (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Park (Scot). This was the third of Park's four Open Championship wins. [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].
Majors
R&A
The Open Championship (4th) (Sept 18). Second-placed and defending champion Old Tom Morris (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Park (Scot). This was the second of Park's four Open Championship wins. [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].
Majors
R&A
The inaugural Open Championship (Oct 17). Second-placed Old Tom Morris (Scot) finished 2 shots behind Park (Scot). This was the first of Park's four Open Championship wins. He was presented with a red Moroccan leather belt; the famous Claret Jug was not introduced until 1872. With only professional golfers able to enter, the field was limited to just 8 players. [Prestwick GC, Ayrshire, Scotland].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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