A Brand New Opening

The Scots Magazine revisits the Old Course in St Andrews almost 70 years on and celebrates recent progress in welcoming women

- LAURA COVENTRY

ON first inspection, these two photographs of the 18th hole of the iconic Old Course in St Andrews taken almost seven decades apart don't look so very different.

But look closer and you will discover that the PGA professional playing in our 2024 image is a woman.

Back in 1957, when the course featured on The Scots Magazine's cover, women were not permitted as members of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

That ban, however, was lifted a decade ago and the Old Course has now staged the AIG Women's Open three times.

And, for the first time in the R&A's 270-year history, its landmark listed clubhouse building- in the background of the photos-has introduced women's locker rooms and changing facilities. Changed days indeed.