Our gift from the R&A Club

The outside of the R&A.

The Club secretary taking us around

Neil taking some pictures

There is a story with those circular balls on a club. The office of Captain was a duty that was awarded to the winner of the Challenge for the Silver Club.  Possibly around 1806, with the introduction of the Gold Medal, the Captaincy became an elected office and the Challenge for the Silver Club became a symbolic, rather than a real competition.

Driving Into Office

The ceremony involving a single drive into office may date back to 1863, when Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII), was Captain.  Unable to attend the Autumn Meeting, it is likely that it was introduced to add a sense of ceremony to the occasion.  Every Captain since has hit a single shot from the first tee of the Old Course, thus gaining the Silver Club and the Queen Adelaide Medal.  While, traditionally, a silver ball had been presented by the Captain, the Prince of Wales presented a gold ball.  Each subsequent Royal Captain has followed this practice.

Over the years the responsibilities of the Captain have increased and, in modern times, his role has expanded to that of ambassador for the game and a figurehead for the Club’s worldwide membership.

Each club captain got his golf ball encased in silver and stuck it on the club

For a few times, a Royal was the club captain and they figured that the Royal could afford to get his gold plated.

As a note, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews (R&A) announced that Bruce Mitchell will serve as captain in 2017/2018, the first Canadian to ever hold the position. click here. Yes, I am wearing a St Andrews Golf tie ;)

We got to the balcony of the R&A. First hole off my left shoulder and the 18th off my right shoulder

Neil looked so dashing and heroic that I just had to take a picture. He will conquer the Old Course.

18th hole as one can only see it from the R&A balcony

The 1st and the putting green

Old Tom Morris

Signing the visitor's book at the R&A Club

Signed the book at the R&A

The Claret Jug in the background

Back to Scotland 2017 Click here