The St. Andrews Golf Club - Brief History

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 must have been 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's shop. In 1933 The St. Andrews Golf Club moved to its present Clubhouse to overlook the 18 th 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.

Honorary Members

• Jack Nicklaus
• Sir Michael Bonallack
• Paul Lawrie

Open Champions

The St. Andrews Golf Club is proud to have been the breeding ground for many champions including