The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in St Andrews (Scotland ) is a golf club and was established in 1754 until 2004, was one of the two relevant authorities in golf.

History

The town of St. Andrews was a religious and economic center in Scotland due to the large cathedral and the university was founded in 1413 long time. Also benefited from the sport of golf, so that St Andrews was regarded as the "Home of Golf". During the Reformation, however, lost the religious significance and a decline of the economy and culture was the result. Although it was played on the Old Course at St Andrews for more than 200 years, golf, St Andrews was in the middle of the 18th century no longer the preferred destination of the political and religious elite.

So met on May 14, 1754 22 promoter of sports ( " 22 Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Kingdom of Fife " ) to donate a trophy for a auszutragendes annual tournament, the so-called " Silver Club". In the founding statement is to be read, that St Andrews viewed as " Alma Mater" of golf and to contribute to the prosperity of the city hoped. Actually managed a rebound, but probably not only because of the tournament, but also because the Gentlemen Golfers of Leith (later The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers ) were plagued during this period of capacity problems on their golf course and therefore had to repeatedly change the location.

The increased reputation of St Andrews was in 1834, when King William IV, the club still led the name of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews awarded, which soon shortened to R & A in language use. The imposing clubhouse was built in 1854 and since 1873 also the prestigious Open Championship was regularly held in St Andrews, so that one could claim the former leadership again at the end of the 19th century.

However, in 1894 founded the USGA and took over the regulatory responsibility for the game of golf in the United States and Mexico. In all other countries was played from 1897 according to the rules of the R & A. However, the two organizations agreed in 1951 on a joint approach, so that with a few exceptions can be spoken by a globally consistent set of rules. The exceptions are related to specific details in the range of permitted or prohibited equipment.

Royal and Ancient and R & A

The historically developed dual function - local golf club on the one hand, the international leading authority of the sport on the other hand - was disbanded on 1 January 2004 and it created two independent organizations.

The official administration functions and responsibility for hosting the big tournaments were transferred to a group of specially founded for this purpose companies that collectively acts as The R & A and R & A Rules Limited. This grouping is thus beside the USGA one of the two editors of the official rules of golf and " Decisions" ( rule interpretations ). It is funded primarily through hosting the Open Championship. But there are also other tournaments organized, especially in the amateur field, such as the Junior Open and the Walker Cup.

The actual golf club is still called Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and is funded through membership fees. He focuses primarily on servicing the 2400 worldwide members, in particular the privilege of enjoying a game right on the Old Course.