The descriptor "Open" is used in a number of sports, and especially in golf, to describe a tournament that is “open” (in theory to allcomers) rather than being closed (i.e. one that is restricted to a particular group). Thus an Amateur tournament (e.g. the U.S. Amateur) is not open because it is, by definition, closed to professional golfers. In golf the first precise usage of the adjective “Open” was in 1861 when the Prestwick Golf Club opened its Medal competition (launched the previous year for professionals only) to amateurs as well and ever since The Open Championship, as it was called, has been open to all. Any golfer can, in theory, play in The Open either by invitation or by various forms of qualification. In practice the event is a professional tournament in which a small number of the world’s leading amateurs also play (by invitation or qualification).
Over time the descriptor "Open" has been extended to include the premier national tournaments of many countries (starting with the U.S. Open in 1895) and also (mainly in the United States) to some other tournaments (e.g. the Buick Open).
Famous quotes containing the words open and/or golf:
“The attempt to be an ideal parent, that is, to behave correctly toward the child, to raise her correctly, not to give to little or too much, is in essence an attempt to be the ideal child—well behaved and dutiful—of one’s own parents. But as a result of these efforts the needs of the child go unnoticed. I cannot listen to my child with empathy if I am inwardly preoccupied with being a good mother; I cannot be open to what she is telling me.”
—Alice Miller (20th century)
“Did I make you go insane?
Did I turn up your earphone and let a siren drive through?
Did I open the door for the mustached psychiatrist
who dragged you out like a golf cart?
Did I make you go insane?”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)