New look R&A clubhouse reopens after renovation work
The iconic clubhouse, behind the 1st tee at the Old Course, boasts new and extended locker rooms, a heritage lounge, and much more…
It is probably the most famous clubhouse in golf. Now, after more than a year of renovation work, the iconic building that houses the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has reopened.
The redevelopment, the largest undertaking in a century, has seen the construction of a female locker room, a new heritage lounge displaying historic architectural plans of the Clubhouse, a new Members’ Shop, a refurbished Trophy Room displaying the Club’s trophies and medals and a golf concierge desk offering services to members.
Women members and guests had to change at Forgan House, 50 yards away, but the new and extended locker room facilities now house them within the historic building.
R&A clubhouse redevelopment: ‘The most significant enhancement… in 100 years’
Martin Slumbers, Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, said, “The Clubhouse renovation is the most significant enhancement that we have made to the building in 100 years and we are pleased to have made these improvements while retaining its special character and appearance.
“All members will now be able to enjoy the use of new and improved facilities which will enrich their experience of visiting and playing golf in St Andrews.
“Importantly, we are now able to cater to the increasing number of members who attend the Spring and Autumn meetings that we hold each year, as well as meeting the requirements of staging our professional and amateur championships here.
“We would like to thank the residents of St Andrews for their patience and understanding during the time it has taken to carry out and complete the renovation work.”
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews was founded in 1754 and is a private golf club with a worldwide membership of more than 2,400 members.
As the Club celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2004 it devolved responsibility for the administration of the Rules of Golf, the running of The Open and other key events, and the development of the game in existing and emerging golfing nations, to a newly formed group of companies collectively known as The R&A.
The clubhouse, found behind the 1st tee of the Old Course, was built in 1854 and designed by the St Andrews architect George Rae. Celebrating its 170th birthday this year, it has seen numerous extensions and revisions but – before this work – was last significantly altered in 1924.
Now have your say
What do you think of the improvements to the R&A clubhouse? Have you been in the historic building before? Let me know your thoughts with a comment on X.
Picture courtesy of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
