A History of Carnoustie Golf Links
Course Status - Thursday 18th April 2024: The Championship Course: Fully Open. The Burnside Course: Open. Holes 8 and 15 on winter greens. The Buddon Course: Fully Open
Course Status - Thursday 18th April 2024: The Championship Course: Fully Open. The Burnside Course: Open. Holes 8 and 15 on winter greens. The Buddon Course: Fully Open
Although it is recognised that golf was being played since before Columbus discovered America records in the local Parish church refer to gowff in 1560.
Edinburgh author and publisher, Robert Chambers, credited with “properly laying out” a rudimentary course at Carnoustie
The arrival of the railway helps to secure the town’s development
The 10th oldest Club in the world is formed
Allan Robertson creates 10-hole course.
George Morris, elder brother of “Old Tom” appointed greenkeeper at Carnoustie. He was acknowledged as the first clubmaker in the town
Dalhousie Golf Club is inaugurated and goes on to become involved in setting up the Amateur Championship
Tom Morris Snr brought in to create an 18-hole course measuring 4,565 yards
Carnoustie Ladies’ Golf Club founded. It is the oldest Ladies Club in the world
Bob Simpson takes over as clubmaker and course superintendent
Carnoustie’s Jack Simpson wins the Open Championship at Prestwick
Stewart Maiden, coach to the legendary Bobby Jones, born
Carnoustie Caledonia Golf Club founded
Macdonald Smith born
Town council acquires links “for golf in perpetuity”
Carnoustie Ladies’ clubhouse built
Carnoustie Mercantile Golf club founded
Carnoustie Golf Club clubhouse built
Carnoustie man, Willie Smith, wins the US Open at Baltimore GC
Links Management Committee takes over the upkeep of the links from the Dalhousie Club
A piece of land, now the site of the 10th hole, purchased for £500 from its owner, James Dempster
Former foreman clubmaker, Alex Smith, who worked along side Bob Simpson, wins his first of two US Open titles at Onwentsia Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Inauguration of New Taymouth club which is now based in the Caledonia GC
Stuart Maiden becomes professional at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia.
New Starter’s Box built
Alex Smith wins his second US Open title at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. Smith beats his brother, Macdonald, in a play-off.
The legendary James Braid employed to upgrade Championship course
Craw’s Nest Tassie inaugurated. Still played today it is one of the most sought after amateur events in the world filling in 5 minutes through an online application.
Tommy Armour won the first Open Championship to be staged at Carnoustie by just a single shot after rounds of 73, 75, 77 and 71.
Carnoustie’s second course upgraded and opened as the Burnside
The names of the courses are changed, The Old Course becomes the Medal Course.
Henry Cotton won the second of his three Open Championships in conditions so difficult the flooded course was almost deemed unplayable.
Plebiscite held on whether golf should be played on Sundays. Rejected by 1641 votes to 839
Sunday golf permitted for the first time
Ben Hogan lifted the Claret Jug in his sole Open Championship appearance with a then record total of 282, four shots ahead of his nearest challengers.
Gary Player won his 2nd Open Championship, the highlight being his magnificent 3-wood at the 14th hole to set-up an eagle in the final round.
Plans for a third course drawn up by former Ryder Cup players, Peter Alliss and Dave Thomas
Tom Watson's first Open victory came via an 18-hole play-off with Jack Newton.
This was to be the last Open at Carnoustie for almost 25 years.
Management of the Links passes to Angus District Council.
Angus District Council returns management of the Links to the Links Management committee which is made up of 12 volunteers (2 from each of the 6 local Clubs)
Buddon Links Course opened for play as an 18-hole course
Mercantile and Dalhousie clubhouses demolished and Hotel built to increase the room capacity for visitors to Carnoustie ahead of the Open Championship return in 1999
Carnoustie Hotel opens for business as the only Hotel in the world to directly look straight up the fairways of the 1st and 18th holes on a Major Championship Course.
Paul Lawrie was victorious in a play-off with Justin Leonard and Jean Van de Velde at The 128th Open after the latter's infamous troubles on the 72nd hole.
The Home Internationals are played at Carnoustie for the first time
Carnoustie becomes the first Open venue to launch a free online tee time booking service on it's main course
Padraig Harrington lifted the Claret Jug after beating Sergio Garcia in a play-off at The 136th Open
Bernhard Langer was the winner of the first Senior Open to be staged at Carnoustie.
The Carnoustie Golf Links Management Committee submits a planning application for a new £2 million Golf Centre which is subsequently approved.
World number one at the time, Yani Tseng, lifted the trophy at the Ricoh British Women's Open in the event's only staging at Carnoustie.
Following a $1m investment two new holes were introduced making the Buddon the same length and par as the Burnside Course.
All three courses at Carnoustie are used for the 10th anniversary of the World Hickory Open with competitors travelling from all corners of the globe to take part.
Paul Broadhurst was the surprise winner of the Senior Open in his first outing in the competition.
Work begins on a new £5million Golf Centre.
Tommy Fleetwood sets a new course record on the Championship course during the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship with a nine-under round of 63.
In April, Links House and The Rookery opened. Links House features CGLMC offices, Pro Shop, coffee kiosk, changing rooms, heritage area, seven state-of-the-art simulators.
Francesco Molinari became the first Italian to win a major after lifting the Claret Jug at The 147th Open.
The eighth staging of golf's oldest major at Carnoustie was also the highest attended with record crowds of 172,000 through the gates.
