Famous Starters in Golf

Famous Starters in Golf is a short golf blog post that looks at the people behind the voices of some of the most famous Golf Tournaments.

There is no sound in sports quite like the first tee of a major championship. The nervous chatter of the crowd, the crisp rustle of a pairing sheet, and the quiet tension of a player adjusting their glove. But before a ball can be struck, a solitary voice must cut through the morning air.

While the players grab the headlines, the official starters hold the keys to the tournament's soul. They are the gatekeepers of time, etiquette, and tradition. From the booming baritones of the Open Championship to the impeccable timing required to manage a global field, these figures usually epitomise poise.

Usually. Because when you stand on a tee for twelve hours straight reading unfamiliar names from across the globe, the pressure cookers of the first tee can occasionally boil over into unforgettable blunders, mispronunciations, and pure comedy.

The Voices of The Open Championship

The Open Championship relies heavily on the gravitas of its official starters. For decades, the R&A has trusted individuals whose voices possess the perfect blend of authority and warmth.

Ivor Robson: The Unmistakable Soundtrack of Summer

For 41 years, Ivor Robson was the definitive voice of golf. From 1975 until his retirement at St Andrews in 2015, Robson didn't miss a single tee time.

His high-pitched, melodic delivery—punctuated by the classic phrase, "On the tee, from [Country], [Player Name]"—became synonymous with The Open. Robson was famously disciplined, refusing to leave his post for a bathroom break or a sit-down lunch from the first tee time at 6:30 AM until the final group went off in the afternoon. His immaculate suits and timeless delivery cemented him as a true icon of the game.

David Lancaster: Carrying the Torch

Following Robson's retirement, the R&A turned to David Lancaster to assume the mantle. Bringing a rich, resonant baritone to the first tee, Lancaster managed the monumental task of stepping into a legend’s shoes while establishing his own dignified presence. His delivery commands respect, ensuring that the oldest championship in golf maintains its unmatched sense of decorum.

When the Script Goes Wrong: Famous First Tee Blunders

Even the most seasoned veterans aren't immune to the occasional slip of the tongue. When a starter stumbles, it immediately humasizes the intense, quiet environment of the first tee.

The Mystery of "The United States of... Somewhere"

Even the legendary Ivor Robson had his moments. One of his most famous, lighthearted blunders occurred when introducing an American player. He smoothly announced, "On the tee, from the United States of..." and completely froze, his mind momentarily blanking on the word "America." After a brief, anisizing pause, he recovered, but the gallery and the players had already broken into chuckles.

"Now Driving... Wait, Who?"

Mispronunciations are a constant minefield for starters, particularly with the expanding global reach of the game. European Tour and Open starters have historically tangled with names like Kiradech Aphibarnrat or Shubhankar Sharma.

However, some of the funniest blunders happen with simple names. At one European event, a starter famously announced English pro Graeme Storm as "Graeme Calm," instantly giving the player a new locker-room nickname for the rest of the week.

The Ultimate Disconnect: Wrong Names entirely

Perhaps the most awkward blunder a starter can face is introducing the completely wrong person. At a prominent tour event, an overly enthusiastic starter announced a player with absolute, booming confidence, only for the player to lean into the microphone and quietly whisper, "Uh, that was the guy who played yesterday. I'm someone else." The starter had to entirely restart the introduction, much to the amusement of the gathering crowd.

The Art of the Perfect First Tee Introduction

What makes an exceptional starter? It is a delicate balance of precision, endurance, and presence—and the ability to laugh it off when things go sideways.

• The Stentorian Voice: A great starter must project over wind, grandstands, and the natural murmurs of a gallery without needing to shout.
• Flawless Pronunciation: Navigating a global field of players means mastering everything from traditional Scottish surnames to complex international pronunciations without a stutter. Starters routinely spend hours the night before checking phonetic spellings.
• Impeccable Timing: Golf tournaments run on a razor-thin schedule. A starter must manage nerves, television broadcast cues, and slow-moving players to ensure the field moves like clockwork.

Final Thoughts: The First Tee Magic

The next time you tune into a major championship early on a Thursday morning, take a moment to appreciate the person holding the microphone. They aren't just reading names off a sheet; they are welcoming players into history—and keeping us all entertained when the pressure gets just a little too high.

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