About
Robert Chambers umpired a famously contentious golf match in 1870 between Old Tom Morris and Willie Park Sr. at Musselburgh, where he stopped the match due to crowd interference—an early example of a golf official maintaining order in a high-stakes game.
Robert Chambers was a Scottish publisher, editor, amateur golfer, and encyclopedist. He was part of the famous Chambers publishing family in Edinburgh, joining the family firm in 1853. Chambers is known for his contributions to the world of golf, having written the book A Few Rambling Remarks on Golf in 1862. He was an active and skilled golfer, having placed 10th in the 1861 Open Championship at Prestwick Golf Club, which was the first Open open to both amateurs and professionals. Chambers won the second Grand National Tournament held at St Andrews in 1858.
Apart from his golfing achievements, he was involved in laying out the original golf course at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool Golf Club) in 1869 alongside George Morris, which would become one of the UK's premier courses. Chambers also held leadership roles, serving as Captain of Tantallon Golf Club for eight years. His editorial work with Chambers's Journal was successful, and he contributed to many golf-related writings throughout his life.
