The links at Musselburgh is the oldest documented golf course in the entire world. It is a magical place home to an ancient tradition of golf. Without the links at Musselburgh golf as we know it may or may not exist as we know it today.
 
Some facts about Musselburgh Golf Links.
  • The oldest documented golf course in the world
  • Musselburgh has hosted 6 British Open Championships
  • Musselburgh is the home of 5 British Open Champions (more than any course in the world)
  • Musselburgh was part of the original Open Rota (Prestwick, St.Andrews & Musselburgh)
  • Willie Park Sr. of Musselburgh won the first ever British Open (1860)
  • While St. Andrews is known as the Home of Golf - Musselburgh is known as the "Cradle of Golf"
  • In 1567 Mary Queen of Scots was arrested after playing Musselburgh for the murder of her husband. She is also credited as the first known female golfer and for the term "caddie."
  • Musselburgh was orginally the home for some of the most historic clubs in golf history - The Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers - Royal BurgessGolf Society - Royal Musselburgh - Bruntsfield Links Golf Society
  • The size of the modern golf hole was standardized by the R&A in 1897 at  four and a quarter inches. This standard was chosen based on the Musselburgh cup size. It was set by Robert Gray in 1829 who used a standard drainpipe as the cup.
  • 1889 was the last year the British Open was played at Musselburgh. It was supposed to host the British Open again in 1892 but the Honorable Company of Edinburgh Golfers moved to their new course at Muirfield and stole the open from Musselburgh.
  • Musselburgh is the only 9 hole course to host a major championship.
I traveled to Scotland this past July and upon playing the oldest course in the world (with hickory clubs) I was asked by a former President of the club if I would like a tour of their private clubhouse. I accepted and after the tour he asked me if I would be interested in joining. I did of course and now I am asking any of you if you are interested in joining.
 
Why would you want to join?
Overseas Membership is relatively cheap - 85 Pounds a year!
There are no monthly dues
You can join for all of the reasons I mentioned above...you can be a member of club that has hosted a British Open and is legitimately the oldest golf course in the world.
 
As a international member you recieve:
 - A wooden membership box with a leather top with the Musselburgh Logo
 - Free rounds at the oldest golf course in the world
 - A Members Leather Bag Tag
 - A Old Fashion Mesh Golf Ball with the Musselburgh logo
 - A Musselburgh logo divot tool
 - A booklet on the history of this great course
 - Member's Discount on clothing.
 
Why are they asking for international members?
Musselburgh has become just a footnote in the history books and the great members of Musselburgh are doing there very best to restore their great name. How? They are asking for international members. The money they raise they are hoping to expand the original 9 holes to 18 holes or perhaps even build a brand new 18 hole championship course and keep the historic links untouched. The members at Musselburgh, if given the opportunity to build a championship style course will have another opportunity to bring back the British Open Championship. I have been told by the club secretary that they are looking into a deal with a hotel chain that will also add prestige and bring funding into building a championship 18 to bring back the Open Championship.
 
I will be posting some photos on my profile in the next two days of Musselburgh now and Musselburgh back then.
 
If you are interested send me a note or you can respond to this blog.