Carnoustie Golf Club is to use its trove of treasures in a drive to promote the town’s epic influence on the world of golf.
The club has a huge collection of trophies, medals, and other memorabilia dating from the course’s foundation in 1842, which Club Captain Bill Thompson describes as “one of the best in the world”.
Golfing family, the Smith’s, who were from Carnoustie, bequeathed their collection of championship medals in the hope of inspiring future generations.
Included are all of their 49 PGA tournament winners medals, both of Alex Smith’s US Open winner’s medals from 1906 and 1910 and various trophies.
The club is also currently showcasing some memorabilia from its sister club, San Francisco’S Diablo Country Club.
Mr Thompson said: “The story of the Smiths is just insane when you think about it.
“They came from Carnoustie and achieved so much. Much of our collection was donated by them. A lot of money was recently offered for our US Open medals but we refused it.
“We see it as important to keep this heritage, not just for the club but for the town. Our job now is to preserve it for Carnoustie and promote it for the club.”
A new display wall named The Teaching Tree has was recently unveiled to give people an insight into just how influential the Smith family and Carnoustie has been on the sport.
The wall charts the achievements of professional golfers the world over who were taught by the family, which amounts to an incredible 54 top ten finishes at the US Open.
The club has spent £100,000 on the refurbishment with the display cabinet alone costing around £40,000 but Mr Thompson said it is fundamental to the club and the town.
“It’s a global archive which is completely irreplaceable,” he said.
“One of the other things we want is for school children to come and learn more about the influence Carnoustie has had on the world of golf.
“I don’t think that many of them are aware of the whole story.”
The central pieces of the current display, will be soon shipped back to Diablo Country Club at the end of the month, although they will return in April.
