Golf has more than its share of characters including Willie Park Sr. who claimed his permanent place in history by winning the first Open Championship in 1860 at Prestwick. Willie  eventually won 4 British Open championships his last 15 years after his first in 1875 once again at the legendary Prestwick Golf Club. Willie is also remembered for his advertised challenges of 50 pound matches of the days best golfers.

	A GREAT MATCH OF GOLF A great match of golf was played at St. Andrew’s links on the 18th of October by Thomas Morris, servant of the Prestwick Golf Club, late of St. Andrew’s, and William Park, golf ball maker, Musselburgh. This was played at St. Andrew’s, not North Berwick and Musselburgh. Three rounds on each green. Willie Park beating Morris nine holes at the end of the games. William Park challenges Allen Robertson of St. Andrew’s, where William Dunn, servant of the Black Heath Golf Club, London, where Thomas Morris, for 50 pounds., on the same greens as formerly played, money ready. William Park, golf ball maker, Musselburgh Robertson never accepted.

Willie may have been one of the first to publicly offer a golfing wager but he certainly isn't the last, this little challenge by Gary Player if his International team were full strength for the 2005 President's Cup matches. "Were they at full strength, with a fit Ernie Els, they would beat not only the United States but Europe as well. I am prepared to bet a half a million dollars of my own money that we'd win a match like that." To our knowledge no one ever accepted Mr. Players bet.

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