In 1847, a Boys’ Medal was presented by John Hall, Captain of the Royal Blackheath Golf Club. This medal was played for by boys resident or at school in Blackheath or the neighbourhood. Since 19th March 1895 and after changes in regulations, it is now a scratch competition open to boys and girls. It remains to this day the oldest open competition in the world of golf - 13 years older, in fact, than The Open Championship itself.