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The Highlights of 1895: U.S. Open Championship & Goorin Bros.

by Erynn Santos on June 13, 2016

Golf has not only change the way it is played, it has changed the way it looks, too. In a game that demands function blend as seamlessly as possible with style, the looks sported by players have evolved from formal and elegant into freer and brasher designs for performance. 

Since golf was born on the wind-swept links of Scotland, golfers have taken their style cues from their Scottish forebears. In the early days, men wore knickers, derived from the knee breeches of English court dress, usually with a thick tweed jacket and even a waistcoat. Bulky tweeds provided a warm, thorn-proof shield against the elements, but were hardly conducive to a powerful shoulder turn. Golfers also wore shirts with starched collars and ties. Sturdy shoes and a tweed cap completed the outfit. Stylish men from Piping Rock to Pebble Beach emulated their counterparts at St. Andrews, and still do. Plaid, based on Scottish tartans, remains a staple of golf style.

 

 In 1895, around the same the U.S. Open held its first championship round, Cassel Goorin began his business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a horse-drawn cart full of hats and a passion for the craft of hat-making. Cassel was a family man with a love for fishing and many other outdoor activities. This served as an inspiration for his hat designs and is still incorporated in Goorin's designs today. Cassel's concern for quality, artistry, and good customer service made him a favorite with his customers. Goorin  Bros. has expanded to over 30 shops and is still a family-owned business.

The first U.S. Open was played on October 4, 1895 in Rhode Island. 36 holes were played by ten professionals and one amateur in one day. Horace Rawlins won the $150 prize money along with the $50 gold medal. The tournament was dominated by Englishman until 1911, when John McDermott was the first of many Americans to win. For more history on the U.S. Open Golf Championship check out the USGA's Historical Notes.

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