1.  When was the Club Founded?

The Club was founded on the 16th of March 1878, when twenty-four gentlemen "resolved to form themselves into a Golf Club". Five days later at the first Committee Meeting James Dickie was appointed the Club’s first Captain and Dr John Highet as Secretary/Treasurer.

2.  Is there a History of Royal Troon Golf Club?

The Club published a History Book in December 2001, the author being Mr Robert A. Crampsey. Leather Copies of the publication are available for purchase from the Club.  For more information contact the club.

3.  How many Open Championships have been played at Royal Troon?

The Club has played host to eight Open Championships. The first Open to be held at Troon was in 1923, with subsequent Championships held in 1950, 1962, 1973, 1982, 1989, 1997 and 2004.

4.  Who has won the Open Championship at Royal Troon?

The following great players have won at Royal Troon:-

1923   Arthur Havers

1950   Bobby Locke

1962   Arnold Palmer

1973   Tom Weiskopf

1982   Tom Watson

1989   Mark Calcavecchia

1997   Justin Leonard

2004   Todd Hamilton

5.  When will the next Open Championship be played at Royal Troon?

There has been no decision made at this time.

6.  Can visitors play at Royal Troon?

Visitors can play both the Old Course and the Portland Course subject to the rules in operation at the time. The visitor season is from the beginning of May until the end of October. Visitor Days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday with block tee-times allocated for visitors. Requests for tee-times can be made using this website.

7.  How much will it cost to play?

The Visitor Composite Ticket includes morning coffee on arrival, lunch, two rounds of golf and the use of the Club’s facilities. For players wishing to play a round on both the Old Course and the Portland Course the cost of a day ticket is £220. For players wishing to play two rounds on the Portland Course the cost is £120 for the day.

8.  Who designed the Course?

Charles Hunter, "Keeper of the Green" at Prestwick Golf Club, supervised the clearance of the ground and the laying out of the first five-hole Course. A sixth hole was added during 1879, with further extensions firstly to twelve holes and then to eighteen, which was completed in 1885. The development to twelve and then to eighteen holes was agreed by a group of enthusiasts along with George Strath the Club’s Professional. Further changes were undertaken on the recommendations of Willie Fernie, Strath’s successor. Prior to the 1923 Open Championship alterations were made on the advice of James Braid.

9.  What is the current Course Record?

The current course record is 66*, held by four Professional golfers, namely Paul Casey, Thomas Levet, Stuart Kendall and Phil Mickleson. These scores being achieved during the 2004 Open Championship.

* Course altered

10.  What is the signature hole at Royal Troon?

The signature hole at Royal Troon is the 8th hole on the Old Course, or the "Postage Stamp", as it is better known. The shortest hole in Open Championship golf, the 8th has ruined a number of player’s ambitions of receiving the "Claret Jug".

11.  When was the Clubhouse built?

The Club’s first stone-built Clubhouse was completed in 1886 with the opening marked by the hosting of a two-day Tournament, one day for Amateurs and the other for Professionals. A major extension was added in 1905, with the latest addition being the new Clubhouse extension which was finished in 2007.

12.  Who is the Club’s Professional?

The Club’s Professional is Kieron Stevenson, who took up his appointment in 2008.

13.  Who is the Club’s Secretary?

The Club’s Secretary/Manager is Mr Jan Chandler, who took up his appointment two months prior to the 1997 Open Championship.

14.  What major Amateur Events have been played at Royal Troon?
In men’s golf, the Club has hosted the Amateur Championship on four occasions, the Scottish Amateur Championship on five occasions, the Scottish Open Amateur Stroke-play Championship on one occasion and the Men’s Home International Championships on four occasions.

In ladies’ golf, the Ladies British Open Amateur Championship has been played at Troon on four occasions and the Scottish Ladies Close Amateur Championship on five occasions.

15.  Are any Amateur Tournaments played regularly at Royal Troon?
The Hillhouse Cup is a men’s stroke-play championship over eighteen holes and is played from the Championship Tees on the Old Course. This is one of the oldest amateur tournaments in Scotland and was first played in 1883.

The Helen Holm Scottish Ladies’ Open Stroke-play Championship is a fifty-four hole competition, played annually over the Portland and Old Courses. Michael Holm, presented the unique Trophy to The Ladies’ Club, Troon, in memory of his late mother who was one of the outstanding Amateur Internationals of her time. The trophy was first played for in 1973.

16.  Have any Members playing out of Royal Troon won National Championships

James L C Jenkins won the 1914 Amateur Championship at Sandwich. He is the only Club Member to have achieved this distinction.

Two Members of the Club have won the Scottish Amateur Championship. Tom M Burrell was victorious over his home course in 1923, with Colin S Montgomerie winning the Championship at Nairn in 1987.

Colin S Montgomerie also won the Scottish Open Amateur Stroke-play Championship at Dunbar in 1985.