Allan Robertson

Allan Robertson (1815 – 1859) was a golf player, considered one of the first professional golfers. He was born in St Andrews, Scotland, the "home of golf".

In the mid 19th century golf was played by well off gentlemen as hand-crafted clubs and balls were expensive. Professionals made a living from playing for bets, caddying, ball and club making and tuition. Robertson was the most famous of these pros. Tradition has it that Robertson himself was never beaten as an individual when playing for money. He sometimes played at less than his ability in order to minimize the odds he had to give to opponents. Robertson is generally regarded as being the best golfer between 1840 and 1845 [cite book|last=Bradbeer |first=Richard |coauthors=Morrison, Ian |title=The Golf Handbook |isbn=1861470061 |publisher=Abbeydale Press |year=2000] , even after the arrival of the Park and Morris families. Indeed, he was the first to score below 80 on the Old Course, St. Andrews.

Robertson was considered the premier ball and club maker of the time and exported all over the world. It was a lucrative trade with an ever increasing market. The business was originally set up by his grandfather who passed it down to his son before Robertson himself finally inherited it. Today a Robertson ball carrying his stamp Allan is highly prized by collectors.

Old Tom Morris worked in Robertson's shop and it is said that were never beaten when playing as a pair. Their relationship soured when the Guttie ball was introduced (see golf ball - history). Robertson attempted to suppress the popularity of the new and cheaper ball which spelt the end of his own 100 year old business. Morris accepted the march of progress and felt obliged to leave Robertson and set up his own workshop. The Guttie ball revolutionised golf and Robertson's business did indeed collapse.

Robertson died a few months after an attack of jaundice. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A) issued a statement on his death exalting his contribution to golf and organised an annual collection to provide for his widow. Robertson's portrait is displayed in the R&A's gallery.

The Open Championship in golf came about as a result of Robertson's death. Since he was recognized as the best player during much of his lifetime, golfers at Prestwick formed a competition in 1860, to decide who would succeed him as the 'Champion Golfer'. The Open, continuing annually ever since except for war years, is the longest-running golf championship, and the oldest of the four major championships.

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