When was the first international golf match played?
James VII of Scotland, while still Duke of Albany, was said to have played the first international golf contest in 1681 when he participated in a game against two English courtiers as part of a bet over rights to claim the game for Scotland or England.
What is the history of golf in the US?
Golf’s history in the U.S. dates to at least 1657, when a pair of apparently drunk men were arrested for breaking windows by hitting balls with their clubs in Albany, New York. Savannah, Georgia shipping records from 1744 document the arrival of golf equipment sent from Scotland.
When did golf become popular in Europe?
Although people largely ignored the ban, it was only in 1502 that the game gained the royal seal of approval when King James IV of Scotland (1473 -1513) became the world’s first golfing monarch. The popularity of the game quickly spread throughout 16th century Europe thanks to this royal endorsement.
What is the history of the PGA Championship?
The American Professional Golfers Association, or PGA, was formed in 1916 with department store owner Rodman Wanamaker as the catalyst. The association held the first PGA Championship tournament in October of that year, with Wanamaker putting up the entire prize of $2,580.