18th century golf ball sells for $45,000

EDINBURGH, Scotland, July 13 (UPI) -- A handmade 18th century leather golf ball filled with feathers has been sold at auction for $45,000 in Scotland, The Telegraph reported Tuesday.

Known as a "featherie," the ball was purchased by Jamie Ortiz-Patigos, the owner of the Valderama golf course in Spain. It will be displayed at a museum on the course.

Despite its small size, the ball has quite an inscription on it: "Presented to Rev. H.M. Lamont by J.W. Inglis C.b, an old student in St. Andrews, 18** This ball was made by Wil. Robertson, 1790, Father of Allan the famous golfer one of the early members of St. Andrews Golf Club."

Dating from 1790, the ball was made by William Robertson, the father of Allan Robertson, one of the most famous early masters of the game, the newspaper said.

Allan Robertson was himself a renowned club and ball maker. The Open Championship, which will be played at Royal Troon this week, began in 1860, the year after his death, and was first called to determine who was the best golfer in the land after he died.