The Amateur Championship

The Amateur Championship (sometimes referred to as the British Amateur or British Amateur Championship outside the UK) is a golf tournament which has been held annually in the United Kingdom since 1885 except during the two World Wars, and in 1949 and 2019 when Ireland hosted the championship. It is one of the two leading individual tournaments for amateur golfers, alongside the U.S. Amateur. It normally has the widest international representation of any individual amateur event, with 38 golf federations from all six continents represented in the 2018 championship.[1]

The Amateur Championship
The Amateur Championship Trophy in 2009 at Gardagolf Country Club
Tournament information
LocationUnited Kingdom
Established1885
Organized byThe R&A
FormatStroke play and match play
Month playedJune
Current champion
Joe Long

Before World War II it was regarded as one of golf's major championships, but given the modern dominance of the sport by professional golfers, this is no longer the case. Two Amateur Championship winners in the post-World War II era have gone on to win professional major championships: José María Olazábal and Sergio García.

History

The inaugural championship was held in 1885 by the Royal Liverpool Golf Club and was, for many years, regarded as an unofficial event. In 1922, the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews decided that Allan Macfie, the winner of the event, should be added to the list of Amateur Championship winners.[2]

The tournament was played on 20, 21 and 23 April and was "open to all amateur members of recognised golf clubs". The format was match-play. All players were included in the draw for each round, any extra player receiving a bye. If a match was halved after the 18 holes both players progressed to the next round, playing each other again. There were 49 entries from 12 different clubs, although only 44 were included in the draw and four of these players did not turn up. Of the 22 first-round matches, 2 were halved, meaning that there were 12 matches in the second round.[3][4] There were no more halved matches in the following rounds which meant that 3 players reached the semi-final stage.[5][6] John Ball beat his father, also called John, in the third round.[6] Allan Macfie received a bye at the semi-final stage with Horace Hutchinson beating Ball 2 up in the only semi-final match. After his morning round, Hutchinson played badly in the afternoon and Macfie won 7&6.[7][8]

Each player paid a 1 guinea entry fee. This, together with 25 guineas from the Royal Liverpool club, was used for prizes. The losing finalist received £10 with the remainder being used to buy plate for the winner.[4] The final amount for the winner was about £60[7] or £70.[8] By comparison the winner of the 1885 Open Championship received £10.

Entry, format

Entry to the Championship is now given to the most-qualified 288 applicants from around the world, with perhaps half the places reserved for top players from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Qualifying rounds for all players were first introduced in 1983, when the popularity of the championship led to the number of applicants increasing to unmanageable levels. Major golf nations are allocated entries on what amounts to a quota basis for their top applicants, with each applicant's national federation cooperating with the R&A on selection. For example, the 2010 entry list included players from the British Isles (England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland), mainland Europe (France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Iceland), North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Peru), Asia (China, India, South Korea, Japan, Singapore), Australasia (Australia, New Zealand) and Africa (South Africa).[9]

The first stage of the Championship involves 288 players, each of whom plays two rounds of 18 holes, one on each of two courses, over the first two days. The 64 lowest scores over the 36 holes, and ties for 64th place compete in the match play stage of the Championship, on the event's principal course, and are seeded by qualifying scores. Each match consists of one round of 18 holes, except for the Final, which is over 36 holes. Since there are generally more than 64 qualifiers from the stroke play stage, the first round of the match play involves a small number of matches to reduce the number of qualifiers to exactly 64. Tied matches are broken by sudden death over extra holes. The event is played in June, normally with a Monday to Saturday schedule.

The winner receives invitations to three of the major championships, namely the following month's Open Championship, and the following year's Masters Tournament and U.S. Open provided he remain an amateur prior to each major. The Amateur Championship is open to amateur golfers of any nationality in good standing with their national federations. Briton John Ball won the most career titles, with eight. Ball was still competing in the event as late as 1921 at Royal Liverpool Golf Club.[10] In modern times, Briton Michael Bonallack's five titles lead. The most famous American winner of the competition was Bobby Jones, whose 1930 victory was part of his Grand Slam.

Winners

YearVenueChampionCountryScoreRunner-up
2020Royal Birkdale Golf ClubJoe Long England4 & 3 Joe Harvey
2019Portmarnock Golf ClubJames Sugrue Ireland2 up Euan Walker
2018Royal Aberdeen Golf ClubJovan Rebula South Africa3 & 2 Robin Dawson
2017Royal St. George's Golf ClubHarry Ellis England38 holes Dylan Perry
2016Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubScott Gregory England2 & 1 Robert MacIntyre
2015Carnoustie Golf LinksRomain Langasque France4 & 2 Grant Forrest
2014Royal Portrush Golf ClubBradley Neil Scotland2 & 1 Zander Lombard
2013Royal Cinque Ports Golf ClubGarrick Porteous England6 & 5 Toni Hakula
2012Royal Troon Golf ClubAlan Dunbar Northern Ireland1 up Matthias Schwab
2011Hillside Golf ClubBryden Macpherson Australia3 & 2 Michael Stewart
2010MuirfieldJin Jeong South Korea5 & 4 James Byrne
2009Formby Golf ClubMatteo Manassero Italy4 & 3 Sam Hutsby
2008TurnberryReinier Saxton Netherlands3 & 2 Tommy Fleetwood
2007Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf ClubDrew Weaver United States2 & 1 Tim Stewart
2006Royal St. George's Golf ClubJulien Guerrier France4 & 3 Adam Gee
2005Royal Birkdale Golf ClubBrian McElhinney Ireland5 & 4 John Gallagher
2004St. Andrews LinksStuart Wilson Scotland4 & 3 Lee Corfield
2003Royal Troon Golf ClubGary Wolstenholme (2) England6 & 5 Raphaël De Sousa
2002Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubAlejandro Larrazábal Spain1 up Martin Sell
2001Prestwick Golf ClubMichael Hoey Northern Ireland1 up Ian Campbell
2000Royal Liverpool Golf ClubMikko Ilonen Finland2 & 1 Christian Reimbold
1999Royal County Down Golf ClubGraeme Storm England7 & 6 Aran Wainwright
1998MuirfieldSergio García Spain7 & 6 Craig Williams
1997Royal St. George's Golf ClubCraig Watson Scotland3 & 2 Trevor Immelman
1996TurnberryWarren Bladon England1 up Roger Beames
1995Royal Liverpool Golf ClubGordon Sherry Scotland7 & 6 Michael Reynard
1994Nairn Golf ClubLee James England2 & 1 Gordon Sherry
1993Royal Portrush Golf ClubIain Pyman England37 holes Paul Page
1992Carnoustie Golf LinksStephen Dundas Scotland7 & 6 Bradley Dredge
1991Ganton Golf ClubGary Wolstenholme England8 & 6 Bob May
1990MuirfieldRolf Muntz Netherlands7 & 6 Michael Macara
1989Royal Birkdale Golf ClubStephen Dodd Wales5 & 3 Craig Cassells
1988Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubChristian Härdin Sweden1 up Ben Fouchee
1987Prestwick Golf ClubPaul Mayo Wales3 & 1 Peter McEvoy
1986Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf ClubDavid Curry England11 & 9 Geoff Birtwell
1985Royal Dornoch Golf ClubGarth McGimpsey Northern Ireland8 & 7 Graham Homewood
1984Formby Golf ClubJosé María Olazábal Spain5 & 4 Colin Montgomerie
1983TurnberryPhilip Parkin Wales5 & 4 Jim Holtgrieve
1982Royal Cinque Ports Golf ClubMartin Thompson England4 & 3 Andy Stubbs
1981St. Andrews LinksPhillipe Ploujoux France4 & 2 Joel Hirsch
1980Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubDuncan Evans Wales4 & 3 David Suddards
1979Hillside Golf ClubJay Sigel United States3 & 2 Scott Hoch
1978Royal Troon Golf ClubPeter McEvoy (2) England4 & 3 Paul McKellar
1977Ganton Golf ClubPeter McEvoy England5 & 4 Hugh Campbell
1976St. Andrews LinksDick Siderowf (2) United States37 holes John Davies
1975Royal Liverpool Golf ClubVinny Giles United States8 & 7 Mark James
1974MuirfieldTrevor Homer (2) England2 up Jim Gabrielsen
1973Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubDick Siderowf United States5 & 3 Peter Moody
1972Royal St. George's Golf ClubTrevor Homer England4 & 3 Alan Thirlwell
1971Carnoustie Golf LinksSteve Melnyk United States3 & 2 Jim Simons
1970Royal County Down Golf ClubMichael Bonallack (5) England8 & 7 Bill Hyndman
1969Royal Liverpool Golf ClubMichael Bonallack (4) England3 & 2 Bill Hyndman
1968Royal Troon Golf ClubMichael Bonallack (3) England7 & 6 Joe Carr
1967Formby Golf ClubBob Dickson United States2 & 1 Ron Cerrudo
1966Carnoustie Golf LinksBobby Cole South Africa3 & 2 Ronnie Shade
1965Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubMichael Bonallack (2) England2 & 1 Clive Clark
1964Ganton Golf ClubGordon Clark England39 holes Michael Lunt
1963St. Andrews LinksMichael Lunt England2 & 1 John Blackwell
1962Royal Liverpool Golf ClubRichard Davies United States1 up John Povall
1961TurnberryMichael Bonallack England6 & 4 James Walker
1960Royal Portrush Golf ClubJoe Carr (3) Ireland8 & 7 Bob Cochran
1959Royal St. George's Golf ClubDeane Beman United States3 & 2 Bill Hyndman
1958St. Andrews LinksJoe Carr (2) Ireland3 & 2 Alan Thirlwell
1957Formby Golf ClubReid Jack Scotland2 & 1 Harold Ridgley
1956Royal Troon Golf ClubJohn Beharrell England5 & 4 Leslie Taylor
1955Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf ClubJoe Conrad United States3 & 2 Alan Slater
1954MuirfieldDoug Bachli Australia2 & 1 William C. Campbell
1953Royal Liverpool Golf ClubJoe Carr Ireland2 up Harvie Ward
1952Prestwick Golf ClubHarvie Ward United States6 & 5 Frank Stranahan
1951Royal Porthcawl Golf ClubDick Chapman United States5 & 4 Charles Coe
1950St. Andrews LinksFrank Stranahan (2) United States8 & 6 Dick Chapman
1949Portmarnock Golf ClubMax McCready Northern Ireland2 & 1 Willie Turnesa
1948Royal St. George's Golf ClubFrank Stranahan United States5 & 4 Charlie Stowe
1947Carnoustie Golf LinksWillie Turnesa United States3 & 2 Dick Chapman
1946Royal Birkdale Golf ClubJimmy Bruen Ireland4 & 3 Robert Sweeny Jr.
1940–1945: Not played due to World War II
1939Royal Liverpool Golf ClubAlex Kyle Scotland2 & 1 Tony Duncan
1938Royal Troon Golf ClubCharlie Yates United States3 & 2 Cecil Ewing
1937Royal St. George's Golf ClubRobert Sweeny Jr. United States3 & 2 Lionel Munn
1936St. Andrews LinksHector Thomson Scotland2 up Jim Ferrier
1935Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf ClubLawson Little (2) United States1 up William Tweddell
1934Prestwick Golf ClubLawson Little United States14 & 13 James Wallace
1933Royal Liverpool Golf ClubMichael Scott England4 & 3 Dale Bourn
1932MuirfieldJohn de Forest England3 & 1 Eric Fiddian
1931Royal North Devon Golf ClubEric Martin Smith England1 up John de Forest
1930St. Andrews LinksBobby Jones United States7 & 6 Roger Wethered
1929Royal St. George's Golf ClubCyril Tolley (2) England4 & 3 John Nelson Smith
1928Prestwick Golf ClubPhilip Perkins England6 & 4 Roger Wethered
1927Royal Liverpool Golf ClubWilliam Tweddell England7 & 6 Eustace Landale
1926MuirfieldJess Sweetser United States6 & 5 Fred Simpson
1925Royal North Devon Golf ClubRobert Harris Scotland13 & 12 Kenneth Fradgley
1924St. Andrews LinksErnest Holderness (2) England3 & 2 Eustace Storey
1923Royal Cinque Ports Golf ClubRoger Wethered England7 & 6 Robert Harris
1922Prestwick Golf ClubErnest Holderness England1 up John Caven
1921Royal Liverpool Golf ClubWillie Hunter Scotland12 & 11 Allan Graham
1920MuirfieldCyril Tolley England37 holes Robert A. Gardner
1915–1919: Not played due to World War I
1914Royal St. George's Golf ClubJames Jenkins Scotland3 & 2 Charles Hezlet
1913St. Andrews LinksHarold Hilton (4) England6 & 5 Robert Harris
1912Royal North Devon Golf ClubJohn Ball (8) England38 holes Abe Mitchell
1911Prestwick Golf ClubHarold Hilton (3) England4 & 3 Edward Lassen
1910Royal Liverpool Golf ClubJohn Ball (7) England10 & 9 Colin Aylmer
1909MuirfieldRobert Maxwell (2) Scotland1 up Cecil Hutchison
1908Royal St. George's Golf ClubEdward Lassen England7 & 6 Herbert Taylor
1907St. Andrews LinksJohn Ball (6) England6 & 4 Charles Palmer
1906Royal Liverpool Golf ClubJames Robb Scotland4 & 3 Clifford Lingen
1905Prestwick Golf ClubGordon Barry England3 & 2 Osmund Scott
1904Royal St. George's Golf ClubWalter Travis United States4 & 3 Edward Blackwell
1903MuirfieldRobert Maxwell Scotland7 & 5 Horace Hutchinson
1902Royal Liverpool Golf ClubCharles Hutchings England1 up Sidney Fry
1901St. Andrews LinksHarold Hilton (2) England1 up John L. Low
1900Royal St. George's Golf ClubHarold Hilton England8 & 7 James Robb
1899Prestwick Golf ClubJohn Ball (5) England37 holes Freddie Tait
1898Royal Liverpool Golf ClubFreddie Tait (2) Scotland7 & 5 S. Mure Fergusson
1897MuirfieldJack Allan Scotland4 & 2 James Robb
1896Royal St. George's Golf ClubFreddie Tait Scotland8 & 7 Harold Hilton
1895St. Andrews LinksLeslie Balfour-Melville Scotland19 holes John Ball
1894Royal Liverpool Golf ClubJohn Ball (4) England1 up S. Mure Fergusson
1893Prestwick Golf ClubP.C. Anderson Scotland1 up Johnny Laidlay
1892Royal St. George's Golf ClubJohn Ball (3) England3 & 1 Harold Hilton
1891St. Andrews LinksJohnny Laidlay (2) Scotland20 holes Harold Hilton
1890Royal Liverpool Golf ClubJohn Ball (2) England4 & 3 Johnny Laidlay
1889St. Andrews LinksJohnny Laidlay Scotland2 & 1 Leslie Balfour-Melville
1888Prestwick Golf ClubJohn Ball England5 & 4 Johnny Laidlay
1887Royal Liverpool Golf ClubHorace Hutchinson (2) England1 up John Ball
1886St. Andrews LinksHorace Hutchinson England7 & 6 Henry Lamb
1885Royal Liverpool Golf ClubAllan Macfie Scotland7 & 6 Horace Hutchinson

Multiple winners

Sixteen players have won more than one Amateur Championship, as of 2019:

Three players have won both the Amateur and the Open Championship:

  • John Ball – 1888, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1899, 1907, 1910, 1912 Amateurs; 1890 Open
  • Harold Hilton – 1900, 1901, 1911, 1913 Amateurs; 1892, 1897 Opens
  • Bobby Jones – 1930 Amateur; 1926, 1927, 1930 Opens

Host courses

The Amateur has been played at the following courses, listed in order of number of tournaments hosted (as of 2020):

Future sites

References

  1. "International field assembles for The Amateur". The R&A. 14 June 2018.
  2. "Golf – Meeting of the Championship Committee". The Times. 3 March 1922. p. 8.
  3. "Golf tournament at Hoylake". The Glasgow Herald. 21 April 1885. p. 7.
  4. "Golf tournament at Hoylake". Dundee Courier. 21 April 1885. Retrieved 15 July 2015 via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. "The golf tournament at Hoylake". The Glasgow Herald. 22 April 1885. p. 9.
  6. "The golf tournament at Hoylake". Dundee Courier. 22 April 1885. Retrieved 15 July 2015 via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. "The golf tournament at Hoylake – Victory of a Scottish player". The Glasgow Herald. 22 April 1885. p. 8.
  8. "Golf – The tournament at Hoylake". Dundee Courier. 24 April 1885. Retrieved 15 July 2015 via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. randa.org, the 2010 Amateur Championship entry list
  10. Rice, Grantland (25 May 1921). "Wright Only U.S. Golfer Left in Play". The New York Tribune. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  11. "The R&A announces 2021 Amateur Championship venues". Golf Today. 6 November 2019.
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