Sports Then and Now

St. Andrews in Yonkers, New York is billed as the first golf club in the United States. But is it really?

It’s commonly claimed that the oldest golf course to be founded in the United States is St. Andrews, in Yonkers, New York. It’s one of those little bits of trivia meant to show that you are a true aficionado of the sport rather than a mere schlub. Doubt it? Go visit their website. It’s the very first thing they say about themselves.

Except, it isn’t.

It’s not even true that it’s the oldest U.S. course to still be in use, or even in continuous use since it was built. First started as a three hole course in 1888, St. Andrews has been open every year since, providing 126 years of continuous play for golfers in the States. During that time it has expanded from three holes to the “standard” eighteen hole, par 71 course that is known and loved today, and lauded as the first and oldest golf course in the U.S.

Unfortunately, neither claim is true. Those titles were earned earlier, in 1884. There’s just one small problem with naming who holds them. Two courses were founded that year, and no one is quite certain which opened first. One is the Foxburg Golf Club in Pennsylvania. The other is Oakhurst Links in West Virginia.

Which came first? It’s hard to say. Both have a claim for that preeminence. But the exact date of the first game played on the course is uncertain. Without knowing that, it’s impossible to appoint a single winner. So let’s take a quick look at both.
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Tiger Woods is aiming to win at St. Andrews for the third straight time.

Tiger Woods is aiming to make history this weekend as he attempts to become the first ever player to win three successive Open Championships at St Andrews.

After his opening round, online betting odds believe he still has a chance of achieving this and remind people that he can make the headlines for his golfing ability rather than his personal life.

Woods finished day one four shots behind early leader Rory McIlroy after a five-under-par round of 67. It was a solid round from the World No.1 and one that will encourage him as the tournament progresses.

Conditions were certainly favourable for early starters like Woods on Thursday and it was important that he stayed in touch with the leaders at the very least. Had he been further back that tied for 8th, golf betting pundits would have probably written him off considering his form since returning to the sport.

The American is still very much in with a chance of making history though and it will be very interesting to see how things develop for him on Friday and then over the weekend.

One positive from his opening round, according to the man himself, was the new putter he selected for the tournament. Woods said that he was ‘very pleased with it because the balls come off faster’.

Another encouraging moment for him was the reception he received from the crowd in Scotland. He described the galleries as ‘respectful and enthusiastic’, something which will help him along as he bids for yet another British Open victory.