CNN — When it comes to sinking a putt to save your life, most people would probably think of professional golfers like Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, or Ben Crenshaw. However, there’s a group of women in Fife, Scotland, who might surprise you. The St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club, despite having no professional golfing experience, has over 150 years of short game experience under their belts.
Established in 1867, this group holds the title of the oldest ladies golf club in the world. They owe this achievement to their perseverance and love for the game, as well as some disgruntled men. Back when golf was considered an unconventional activity for women, the daughters of members of the St. Andrews Royal & Ancient (R&A) Club, known as the historic home of the game, expressed their desire to play golf. However, the options available to women at the time were limited to croquet and archery.
When the women ventured onto the caddy’s putting course, which was originally used by members’ caddies between rounds, they faced opposition. The caddies wanted them gone, but as employees of the club, they couldn’t voice their complaints. A compromise was reached, and the women were given a piece of land next to the iconic Swilcan Bridge to use as a nine-hole putting course. It was a rough area, but it served as a starting point. Just one month later, 22 women competed in the St. Andrews Ladies Golf Club’s first tournament. Word spread quickly, and by the late 1880s, the membership had grown to 600, including male associate members. Today, the club has a membership of 140, and there is a growing waiting list to join.
Early on, the legendary Old Tom Morris, a player and greenkeeper at the course, suggested that the ladies visit the nearby Himalaya section of the course, known for its hilly topography. Morris prepared the area for the club and was made an honorary member when he retired in 1895. The women’s course and the Himalaya’s putting course remain playable to this day.
In addition to their love of the game, the early members of the club played a significant role in gaining independence for women in St. Andrews at the turn of the century. The women’s course, along with the Himalaya’s putting course, continues to generate income through visitor fees, which is donated to local charities. Last year, an exception was made, and funds were given to Ukrainian organizations.
The women’s designated 18-hole course, officially named The Jubilee Course and opened in 1897, was coined “The Duffers Course” during a time when attitudes towards women were less progressive. However, the club chooses not to acknowledge this period and its derogatory term.
Sylvia Dunne, the current president of the club, is one of the individuals who carries on the legacy of the early pioneers. As a member since 2011, Dunne helps organize the club’s weekly tournaments, including a showpiece two-round event on Wednesday afternoons and a one-round competition on Thursday mornings for the older members who may struggle with multiple rounds. She values the camaraderie and social aspect of the club, emphasizing that it provides a sense of community for older members who may otherwise be stuck at home.
Throughout the club’s history, members had the opportunity to win prizes from various royal figures, such as Prince Leopold, Edward VIII, and King George VI. In the past, R&A captains also donated trophies, but now they compete against the Ladies Putting Club in an annual 18 vs 18 putting competition.
Dunne is known as one of the most successful putters in the club, having won six trophies in a single season during her best year. However, she acknowledges that the putting green can be unpredictable and that luck plays a significant role. She even jokingly suggested creating a prize for the most near misses, to highlight the element of luck in addition to skill.
So, maybe the next time you need someone to sink a crucial putt, you should consider putting your trust in the St. Andrews Ladies Putting Club, with their centuries of experience and passion for the game.