St Andrews Society of Golfers was founded - On this day in history

On 14 May 1754, the St Andrews Society of Golfers was founded by 22 'noblemen and gentlemen' who contributed towards a silver cup to be won in an open golf contest played on the Links of St Andrews each year.

The winner of the first competition was Baillie William Landale, a merchant from the town of St Andrews. Over the next century, the club grew in popularity and came to be known as The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (its current name). The club is now the ruling authority for golf around the world (with the exception of Mexico and the USA) and organises championships and international matches including:

• The Open Championship
• The Amateur Championship
• Senior British Open Championship
• St Andrews Trophy

Further reading

St Andrews: the Home of Golf by Henry Lord et al.

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