Page 3 - Royal Troon Old Course

Royal Troon Golf Club
The Troon Golf Club was formed on 16th March 1878 when local medical practitioner Dr. John Highet M.B. encouraged a group of local enthusiasts to meet in the Portland Arms Hotel in Troon for the purpose of forming a golf club.
The first Captain appointed was James Dickie who held office for four years. Dr. Highet was the Honorary Secretary from 1878 to 1893 and the first Honorary President was His Grace William John Arthur Charles James, 6th Duke of Portland K.G., P.C., G.C.V.O.
By 1880 six holes were in play between the Craigend and Gyaws Burn. By 1888 these had been extended to 18 holes measuring 3 miles, 1 furlong and 156 yards. At the time of the 2004 Open Championship the course had been lengthened to 7175 yards.
There have only been six Professionals at the Club, the first being George Strath, whose family name is associated with the Strath bunker at St Andrews. The current Professional, Kieron Stevenson BSc(Hons), started at Royal Troon at the end of 2007.
In 1909, the then Professional, William Fernie, winner of The Open Championship in 1883, was instructed to draw up plans for the alteration of the course.The present layout is not far removed from his original conception. It was at this time that the short 8th, the Postage Stamp, came to be. In 1923, on the advice of James Braid, the left bunkers were added. Originally these were above the height of the green but now rest well below the height of the putting surface – some say due to a certain German amateur playing in the 1950 Open Championship, who took 5 to get out of one bunker, 12 to reach the green and 15 to hole out!