Muirfield
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Muirfield is a golf course in Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland, which is one of the courses used in rotation for The Open Championship.
Muirfield has hosted The Open Championship fifteen times, most recently in 2002 when Ernie Els lifted the trophy. Other past winners at Muirfield include Nick Faldo (twice), Tom Watson, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Henry Cotton, Alf Perry, Walter Hagen, Harry Vardon and Harold Hilton. Muirfield has also hosted The Amateur Championship, the Ryder Cup, the Walker Cup, the Curtis Cup and many other tournaments.
Although Muirfield is a links course as it is set upon elevated ancient land claimed from the sea as highlighted by its sandy base and small sea shells in the bunkers, it has an unusual layout. Most links courses run along the coast and then back again leading to 2 sets of 9 holes each of which face roughly in the same direction. Muirfield, however, was amongst the first courses to depart from this arrangement and is arranged as two loops of nine holes, one clockwise, one counterclockwise. This means that, assuming the wind direction remains the same throughout a round, every hole on the course has a different apparent wind direction from the tee.
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[edit] The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers
The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, based at Muirfield, holds the distinction of being the oldest golf club in the world, although the game of golf is several centuries older. The club's records date back to 1744 when it produced thirteen "Rules of Golf" for its first competition which was played for the "Silver Club". The club played on the 5 holes at Leith Links for nearly a century but in 1836 moved to Musselburgh's 9-hole Old Course. Musselburgh, like many prestigious Scottish courses including St Andrews, is a public course, and in 1891 the club built a private course at Muirfield.
[edit] The Open Championship
The Open Championship was first held at Muirfield in 1892 and has been held there fifteen times.
Year | Winner |
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1892 | Harold Hilton |
1896 | Harry Vardon |
1901 | James Braid |
1906 | James Braid |
1912 | Ted Ray |
1929 | Walter Hagen |
1935 | Alf Perry |
1948 | Henry Cotton |
1959 | Gary Player |
1966 | Jack Nicklaus |
1972 | Lee Trevino |
1980 | Tom Watson |
1987 | Nick Faldo |
1992 | Nick Faldo |
2002 | Ernie Els |
[edit] The Senior British Open
The Senior British Open Championship was first held at Muirfield in 2007.
Year | Winner |
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2007 | Tom Watson |
[edit] External links
East Lothian Golf Courses |
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Muirfield | North Berwick West Links | Musselburgh Links | Archerfield | Kilspindie | Whitekirk | Royal Musselburgh | Gullane No. 1 | Gullane 2 & 3 | The Glen | Luffness | Craigielaw | Dunbar | Winterfield | Gifford | Castle Park |