The Claret Jug is also called the Open Championship Trophy. It is the prize for the Open Championship, a tournament held every year which is open to both amateur and professional golfers. The tournament has grown over the years into one of the major tournaments in golf today.

The Open was first played in 1860 at Prestwick. It was a much smaller competition than today with only 8 players teeing off. The competition was won by Willie Park. The prize at this time was a Challenge Belt; this had silver fittings, was engraved with the Arms of Prestwick Burgh and cost £25 to make. It was agreed that this would be kept by any golfer who should win the Open Championship three times in a row. In 1870, Young Tom Morris won the Belt for the third time in succession and was therefore, allowed to keep it.

As a result, in 1871 a new trophy was needed to replace the Championship Belt. It was decided that this was to be the Claret Jug. The trophy was made in Edinburgh by Mackay, Cunningham & Company and was finished in 1873.

The courses played in the Open are all Links courses. Today, the Open is played on a rotation of eight courses. These are Carnoustie, Muirfield, Royal Troon, St Andrews, Turnberry, Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham & St Anne’s and Royal St George’s.

Things to think about.

Can you find out what the differences are between a Links course and an inland course? Can you find the courses used in the Open on a map? Do you know who won the Claret Jug this year? Can you find out which course next year’s Open Championship is being played on?