The World's Oldest Open Amateur Stroke Play Competition - inaugurated in 1870
STANDARD LIFE
AMATEUR CHAMPION GOLD MEDAL
In 1870 the Standard Life Assurance Company, then proprietors of Lundin Estate, gifted a gold medal for amateur competition by members of Innerleven, Leven and Leven Thistle golf clubs and members of any other club approved by the Council of the Innerleven Golfing Society. With this proviso, the Tournament can proudly claim to be the oldest Open Amateur Stroke Play Competition in the world, predating Glasgow Golf Club's Tennant Cup by some ten years. The competition was originally over 18 holes, the first winner being a local player, James Elder, with a score of 85. Over the decades the Tournament has grown in stature and is now one of the prestigious competitions in Scottish Golf. Traditionally play for the Amateur Champion Medal (strictly the correct title) took place on the second day of the club's Summer Meeting. In present times, early August sees the reservation of Leven Links for the "Standard Life Gold Medal"
The Competition continued over 18 holes until 1966 with the exception of the war years 1915 to 1918 and 1940 t0 1945, with the lowest score recorded in 1934 of 67 by E A McRuvie. From 1966 to 1968 the competition was played over 36 holes moving 72 holes in 1969. Some of the winning amateurs who went on to successful professional careers include
1986 Pierre Ulrich Johansson
1989 Andrew Coltart
1993 Lee Westwood