The club was founded in 1851. The original course was a 12‑hole links layout, designed and built by Old Tom Morris (appointed “Keeper of the Green, Ball and Club Maker” for the club) shortly after its founding. The earliest layout ran over the links land adjacent to the town of Prestwick. The terrain is classic Scottish links: dunes, seaside exposure, firm turf, blind shots. The original 12‑hole course remained until the club expanded to an 18‑hole layout in 1882 (or 1883 in some sources) when additional land was acquired and the routing extended. While Old Tom laid the original routing, subsequent generations of golf design and maintenance tweaked the layout. But significantly, six of the original greens from the 12‑hole design still remain in use today. The course retains many of the “quirks” of early links design: deep revetted bunkers, many blind tee or approach shots, narrow fairways, dramatic dune features. Prestwick is renowned as the original home of the Open Championship. The first Open was held in October 1860 at Prestwick, contested by eight players, over three rounds of the 12‑hole course. The club hosted the Open Championship 24 times in total, from 1860 through to 1925. Because the original venue became too small and cramped for the growing crowds/modern tournament demands, the Open eventually moved permanently elsewhere after 1925. The terrain is visually dramatic and still echoes its mid‑19th‑century origin: firm, undulating fairways, dune ridges, tight corridors, strategic bunkering. One writer said you’ll “rarely leave Prestwick without a smile”. Because of its role in establishing the Open, Prestwick holds a very high place in golf history — often called the “birthplace of The Open” and one of the most historically important courses in the world. The playing test is unique, quirky, and rooted in tradition — offering blind shots and true links character rather than modern wide‑open corridors – every golfer will love playing here.