DAY 6 St Andrews

Today we arrived at St Andrews

The holy grail for most golfers.

Often called the “Home of Golf,” the Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland is the world’s oldest golf course, with play recorded as early as the early 15th century.

In 1552, Archbishop John Hamilton granted the townspeople the right to play golf on the links.

In 1764, the course was reduced from 22 to 18 holes—a development that established the global standard of an 18-hole course.

The Society of St Andrews Golfers, formed in 1754 by 22 noblemen and gentlemen, later became the Royal and Ancient Golf Club (The R&A)—one of golf’s key governing bodies.

Control of the course shifted over time: land was saved from rabbit farming in the early 19th century by James Cheape, and later transferred under public trust via the St Andrews Links Trust, formalised by legislation in 1894.

The Old Course has hosted The Open Championship more times than any other venue—30 times to date, starting in 1873.

South African Winners at the Open, Especially at St Andrews

Bobby Locke was the first South African to win The Open, triumphing three times between 1949 and 1952, and claiming a fourth in 1957.

Gary Player and Ernie Els also claimed victory at The Open in other years.

Only four South African men have won The Open: Locke, Player, Els—and Louis Oosthuizen.Read more