Fascinating new book reveals that St Andrews golf hero was ‘miles above world’s best’
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The author of fascinating newly-released golf book, ‘The King Of Clubs: Allan Robertson of St Andrews, 1815-1859’ has explained how he was stunned to discover that Robertson’s character was nothing like that the ‘pawky’ one previously conveyed in literary circles.
St Andrews-based award-winning golf historian Roger McStravick said that the book – now available to buy online for £17.99 at https://birlinn.co.uk/product/the-king-of-clubs/ – sets the record straight about the many endearing qualities of a man recognised as the best golfer in Scotland, and therefore the world, as he landed the Champion Golfer crown in 1840 and then held the title successfully at the Home of Golf for the next 19 years.
After Robertson’s death from jaundice aged 43, the Open Championship was established and played for the first time at Prestwick Golf Club in October 1860.
And McStravick, of St Andrews, who took over writing the book after the death of fellow author Bill Williams, said: “Allan Robertson, from what little I’d read of him, wasn’t an endearing character.
"It said Allan was a caddie with a pawky character which meant he had a cheeky sense of humour and so many things have been extrapolated from that. But once I looked at Bill’s research papers I thought: ‘Oh God, I didn’t know Allan whatsoever’.
"His father Davie was Champion Golfer from 1830 to 1835 but he then lost it, then died and Allan stepped up and beats the person who’d beaten his father and goes on to hold it for 19 years.
"Instead of just being this person who was a caddie and pawky, Allan was absolutely loved. He was kind, funny and respectful and his family had been making featherie golf balls for over 250 years.
"So it was a real journey for me in terms of my perception. I was so wrong as I had just believed ecery cliche that had been written for the last 100 years.
“But he was an absolute maverick who should have been revered as one of Scotland’s greatest icons. Tom Morris and Willie Park (who both went on to become four-time Open champions) were playing matches against each other, beating each other with scores of 89 and 93 and they were the next best. Yet Allan shot a 79 in 1858, so he was miles above anyone and would have won the Open numerous times.”
As mentioned earlier in this article, McStravick’s latest book was originally being researched by his friend Bill Williams, who sadly died which resulted in 55-year-old Northern Irishman McStravick – frequently seen on screen on The Golf Channel – taking over.
He said: “My bigger books usually take about four years, but this wasn’t actually my idea.
"Bill – who had previously written books on golfing legends Harry Vardon and Ted Ray – unfortunately died having taken ill after moving to America and his daughter asked me to take over.
“She gave me all his research – Bill had also written about 20,000 words – and I took it on. It was a great foundation to work off.
"Everyone had said that Allan Robertson – who was St Andrews born and bred – was a caddie but he was a businessman. Caddies stood outside his business, which he had taken over when he was 21 and was what we would recognise as a pro shop.
"It was the first one on the St Andrews Links.”
When asked about Robertson’s outstanding golfing qualities, McStravick added: "Allan was the most scientific, he was Faldo-like, he wasn’t the longest hitter but he studied greens, studied contours, tweaked his clubs.
"That’s where he was truly exceptional.”