Colf Anyone?

It has widely been accepted that the game of golf was derived from the Scots in the 19^th century.  However, according to Wikipedia, in 1297 people in the Netherlands (the Dutch) use to play a game where “the winner was whoever hit the ball with the least number of strokes into a target several hundred yards away¹.”  But in 1261, a Flemish poet by the name of Jacob van Maerlant, caused room for speculation when he made reference to a game played with a "mit ener coluen" or “with a colf/kolf [club] ².”  Therefore, his poetic observance precedes both the Dutch and the Scots. 

Photo Credit: Mark Ruben Galleries

Maerlant’s ‘colf club’ quips were substantiated when the council of Brussels prohibited the game of ‘colf’ in 1360 for its citizens. In fact, a portion of the law stated “hij speelt colf betaalt een boete van 20 shillings of zijn overjas in beslag genomen kunnen worden.”  or “he who plays colf pays a fine of 20 shillings or his overcoat will be confiscated.”  I guess those green Master’s jackets would be taken away from the likes of Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer and Bubba Watson if the council had its say so today.

But why was the game banned?  Believe it or not it, colf players and spectators were placing bets. Yes ladies and gentlemen, that’s right; colf was originally considered a gambling man’s sport.  And because of its growing popularity, among upstanding citizens and the criminal element, the game had been deemed dangerous; so much so, that the gambling and crime had gotten so out of hand, that legislation had to be passed. Imagine that?!!  Any person caught playing a game of colf would have to pay $2.00 in today’s currency which would be an astronomical price in 1361 or have his overcoat taken. But that didn’t stop them from playing.

In fact, colf had gotten so dangerously popular that by 1387, the regents amended the previous law banning the sport to where one could play; but only ‘outside the town walls³.’ And as a result, some enterprising citizens took the lawmakers at their word and built a field – outside the town walls – in what was then known as ‘golfbaan’ or what we would now refer to as ‘golf courses’. 

Fast forward six hundred and twenty-six years (626) and our beautifully lush, Stoneybrook course couldn’t be in the town of Sarasota.  You couldn’t enjoy our 18-hole course, swimming pools, and fitness center. You’d have to travel outside of Sarasota County in order to take in a few holes.  Oh how we thank the regents for amending their decision and are ever so grateful that the game of colf made its way to the States.  The danger, the excitement; oh the wonderful game of colf.  Colf anyone?

Copyright © 2013 Stoneybrook Country Club^®. All rights reserved.

SOURCE: 1 - 3 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_golf