Allan Robertson

Allan Robertson ( born September 11, 1815 in St Andrews, Scotland, † September 1, 1859 ) was one of the most famous golfer of the 19th century and also the first professional. He came from a family of golfers, caddies and equipment manufacturers. Robertson is regarded as the best golfer of the year from 1840 to 1845 - well after the families Park and Morris entered the golf scene.

Robertson played the first to score below 80 beats on the Old Course St Andrews and was allegedly never beaten when he played for the money - at that time one of the main sources of income for professional golfers. He is said to have occasionally played below their capacity so as not to discourage his partner ( opponent). With Old Tom Morris, an equally legendary players of the 19th century, he played together as a couple and both allegedly also remained unbeaten.

With Old Tom Morris together he ran a factory for the manufacture of golf balls. He exported his golf balls which were very expensive at that time, in the whole world. The factory had been founded by his grandfather and continued by his father, until he eventually inherited. Today, golf balls bearing the stamp of Robertson collectors are highly sought after. The friendship with Morris, but broke as balls of gutta-percha were introduced (also called Guttie ball). Robertson rejected the new and cheaper ball, because he saw it as a competition with his long-standing technique. Morris sat on the progressive Guttie ball that revolutionized the game of golf, and founded his own factory. In the long run the Guttie -Ball won the day and Robertson had to give up his business.

Robertson died in 1859 from the effects of jaundice. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews ( R & A) issued a statement to his death and held an annual collection for the benefit of his widow. Robertson's portrait hangs in the R & A's Gallery. The Open Championship was first organized under the impact of the death of Robertson in Prestwick and in his honor by the R & A on October 17, 1860 and is one of the four major golf tournaments, the so-called " majors ". The golf course at Carnoustie / Scotland was designed in 1850 by Allan Robertson. In 2001, Allan Robertson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the highest honor for a golfer.