Royal Montrose opens bi-centenary celebrations

FROM THE SCOTSMAN WEBSITE
By Martin Dempster
Today marks the 200th anniversary of Royal Montrose Golf Club and, while the snow and frost has forced a seven-hole hickory competition planned for tomorrow to be put back until February, the celebrations are already underway.
Over 100 members attended a Hogmanay party, during which Ian Harley, the club captain, and Janet Henderson, the ladies' captain, unfurled a bicentenary flag. The club was also first footed by members of Montrose Mercantile and Montrose Caledonia.
Founded as the Montrose Golf Club and then known as Royal Albert Golf Club, Royal Montrose is the ninth oldest continuous golf club in the world. It received its Royal Patronage in 1845, only the third golf club to receive the honour after Royal Perth and the Royal & Ancient.
Royal Montrose was one of the original 24 sponsors of the Amateur Championship Trophy. It has also played a significant role in the evolution of the Rules of Golf while its professionals have made their mark around the world.
Alex Findlay, for instance, emigrated to Nebraska in 1887 and, after creating its first golf course consisting of six holes, and promoted golf widely, became known as the grandfather of golf in the States.
He was affiliated with over 210 clubs worldwide and an honorary member of almost every club in America. One of Findlay's brothers, Fred, emigrated to Australia in 1910 to become professional at the Metropolitan Club before joining his brothers in America, where he became a renowned course architect.
Among the events being held to celebrate the bicentenary are a 25-hole Open to mark the only Open for professionals and amateurs played over that many holes in 1866 and a week-long programme of events at the end of August to which Royal golf clubs around the world have been invited to send representatives.
"So far we've had a positive response from more than 40 of the 63 clubs," said the club's vice-captain, Brian Ritchie.