This Day in Sports Business History September 16th

On September 16, 1869, Young Tom Morris made history at the British Open Championship in Prestwick, Scotland, by recording what is widely recognized as the first hole-in-one in golf. Just 18 years old at the time, Morris aced the 8th hole, a 166-yard par three, using a cleek, an early iron-like club. The remarkable shot was so rare that it was documented in tournament records, cementing its place as the first officially recognized ace in competitive play. Morris went on to dominate the event, winning the Open by 11 strokes, a performance that helped establish him as one of golf’s earliest superstars. Beyond the achievement itself, the moment carried broader significance for the sport’s growth, as Prestwick was the exclusive host of the Open from 1860 to 1870 and stood at the center of golf’s early commercialization. What began as a singular sporting feat eventually evolved into a key marketing tool, as hole-in-ones became tied to sponsored prizes—ranging from cars to large cash payouts—transforming rare shots into promotional opportunities that link the history of the game to the business side of sports.