The 148th playing of the British Open championship got underway this morning, long before America woke up.
In my mind’s eye, I can see the quaint clubhouse of the Royal St. Georges Golf Club of which author Ian Fleming, the creator of James Bond, was a member.
The history of the golf course, which was the site of the first Open championship to be played outside of Scotland, is highlighted by its affiliation with the James Bond author.
When the Open was played at Royal St. Georges in 1894, Old Tom Morris withdrew after scoring a hundred during the third round of play.
Royal St. Georges lies hard by the English Channel, which kept the populace in fear of a German invasion during World War II. It was a favorite of the celebrated British golf writer, Bernard Darwin.
I can remember that first time at Royal St. Georges. My golfing partner was the late Furman Bisher, of the Atlanta Journal in the late seventies. Women were not allowed in the clubhouse in those days. In fact, there once was a sign over the clubhouse entrance. “No dogs, no women.” As they say, “We have come a long way.” Selah!