The story behind the image:
Religion aside, there is no argument that for golfers, no piece of ground is more sacred than the 18 holes wedged between the farmlands of St Andrews and the North Sea.
The Old Course site has been trod by golfers since the fifteenth century, and no one knows who designed the current layout on this narrow strip of salt tolerant marram grass.
Golf was invented in Scotland soon after the foundation of the University of St Andrews in 1414 AD.
In 1459, on 6th March, in the reign of James 11, the parliament of Scotland was busying itself with the defence of the realm, against the English, and decreed as follows:
“Item: It is decretyt and ordanyt that wapinschawings (wargames) be haldin by the Lords and Barons four tymes in the year, and that the futball and the golf be utterly cryt doune and nocht usit.”
Like most bad law it was totally ignored, even by the lawmakers.
Which may explain why fifty years later, the King James 1V, paid 1 shilling for 3 golf balls and 3 shillings for a golf club.
And the English continued to slaughter the Scots on the battlefield.
In the year 1754 was founded “ The Society of St Andrews Golfers.” This society became the world-renowned Royal & Ancient in 1834, under the patronage of King William 11( Scots style).
The present club house was begun in 1854. The hump back bridge over the Swilcan Burn, is many centuries old and still handsome.
Consider pilgrim, as you stand on the first tee, the six centuries of golfing history before you.
Now play off!
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