... and what does Colonel Bogey have to do with it?
Originally ‘bogey‘, in its original meaning of a score which the good golfer should aim for on a hole, was known as the ‘ground score‘.
A bogie was a Scottish term for a devil and a Bogey man was a monster in undefined form which spread terror and ‘would catch you if he can’.
When Major Wellman failed to outplay the ground score, he complained to Dr Brownne “this player of yours is a regular bogey man!"
The description struck and when playing against the ground score golfers started calling it as playing against Mister Bogey. From this the term ‘ground score’ itself began to be superseded by ’bogey’. Competitions against the ground score were known as bogey competitions.
Thus the term 'Colonel Bogey' was born.
In January 1892 a report in The Field reported that 'a novelty was introduced in the shape of a bogey tournament for a prize. ... Fourteen couples started but the bogey defeated them all.'
In March of that year The Royal Cornwall Gazette reported the results of the Royal Cornwall Golf Club Ladies vs ‘Colonel’ Bogey.
Colonel Bogey became wider known when the "The Colonel Bogey March" was written. This tune had golfing origins beyond its name.
This golfer’s habit was known to Lieutenant Frederick Joseph Ricketts, director of music for the Royal Marines, and he incorporated this musical phrase into the tune of "The Colonel Bogey March".
