The St.
Andrews Golf Club
The St.
Andrews Golf Club was formed on September 29, 1843. Its 11 founder members
were mostly tradesmen, but included a Dancing Master and a Butler (George
Morris, brother of Tom). At that time, a feather ball cost around 2/- (10p)
and a day labourer might earn 1/6. Golf was not a poor man’s game and our
first members were men of some substance.
Soon
they were joined by Alan Robertson and Tom Morris. Alan Robertson was the
foremost golfer of his day and employed Tom in the family business making
feather golf balls. In 1854 he became Captain of The St. Andrews Golf Club.
Both he and Tom Morris are recorded as having organised the members ‘odds’
or handicaps.
The
club also had the rare distinction of having a member, Mackenzie Turpie, who
competed in the first Golf Olympics in Paris in 1900. He was a postman in
the town and paid his own entry fee and travelling expenses “purely for the
honour of competing”.In the first 60 years of its history, the club played
regular competitions and met thereafter in various hotels and inns in the
town for many happy evenings of “toast, song and sentiment”.
The
foundations of the present day club were laid when the first clubhouse was
bought in 1905. This was the property in Golf Place, now occupied by Auchterlonie
shop. In 1933 The St. Andrews Golf Club moved to its present Clubhouse to overlook
the 18th green of the Old Course. This splendid Victorian mansion provides
an ideal grandstand for members during Opens and other major tournaments held
in the town.
The club presently has 3 Honorary Members
Jack
Nicklaus
Sir Michael Bonallack
Paul Lawrie