Why, in first reference on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, is what we Americans refer to as “The British Open” simply called “The Open”?

Bill Kennedy, Golf Columnist Daryn Slover/Sun Journal

That’s not because the Brits are snobs. They were just first, creating their Open in 1860. And very quickly that Open became a professional event, with money going to the winner in 1863, along with a “Challenge Belt.”

Only recently, however, have some Americans — TV people mostly — begun to call it “The Open.” Out of respect for golf elders, Americans should comply because it is not difficult to do.

The Open’s famed “Claret Jug” was first awarded in 1873, and the Open became a 72-hole event in 1892.

Only six amateurs have won this event, all before 1930, with legendary American Bobby Jones having accomplished it three times.

This year, the Open, which concludes Sunday, is at Royal Troon in South Ayrshire, Scotland, where the ocean wind and even rain were expected to be a factor on that links course. Extremely deep bunkers, small bumpy hills and slow greens also factor in, which makes golf kind of a different sport than the golf we know if you watched last month’s U.S. Open.

The Open in the United States was established in 1895 and became a 72-hole event in 1898, which makes our U.S. Open a new kid on the block, by British standards.

American golf professionals, for the most part, are fair-weather golfers, with the vast majority of them having learned the game in the Sun Belt and southern states. So, they have had to adjust their games during the Open weekend in Scotland, whereas the European pros grew up playing links courses in all kinds of weather.

It clearly is what traditionally gives them the edge annually in the Open.

That said, Americans have won the Claret Jug a number of times.

Georgia native Brian Harman took it home last year. And he is 5-foot-7 on a tall day.

Tom Watson captured the Open title five times, with Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods having taken it three times each. So, it is more than possible for an American to win this coveted crown.

*****

As expected at the Maine Women’s Amateur, played July 15-17 at Biddeford-Saco, the Haylock family of Jade, Ruby and Heidi distinguished themselves, with Jade capturing her first Maine Women’s Am, three shots better than runner-up Ruby, who won this tournament in 2020 and 2022. Their mother, Heidi, was in 30th place, all of which made their home course of Turner Highlands extremely proud.

The Haylock scores were as follows: Jade 77-71-77—225; Ruby 79-75-74—228; and Heidi 85-85-92—262.

Other area clubs whose players had good tournaments were: Abby Flanagan, Springbrook, 82-72-80-234, tied for third; 2023 Senior Women’s Amateur champion Micki Meggison, Spring Meadows, 79-88-79—246, 12th; Danielle Rock, Martindale, 88-79-86—253, tied for 19th; Cynde Dunn, Springbrook, 89-85-80—254, 23rd; Melissa Johnson, Martindale, 83-91-82—256, tied for 25th.

Congratulations to all of them.

*****

A total of 94 players will be in the field of the Maine Golf Senior Four-Ball Championship on July 23-24 at Dutch Elm.

Maine Golf women’s play days are scheduled July 23 at The Meadows and J.W. Parks.

Bill Kennedy, a retired New Jersey golf writer and editor now residing on Thompson Lake in Otisfield, is in his 12th season as Sun Journal golf columnist.