Leith Rules Golf March 7 2008

Home Membership Current events Recent events Other events The original rules Leith golf history Links Contact Us	Special memorabilia at our anniversary event! March 7th 2008 As has become our custom, we celebrated the actual date of the signing of the first rules at our clubhouse at Leith Links. After an excellent meal prepared by some of our own members, golf historian Philip Knowles put the signing into historical perspective. A year later, Bonnie Prince Charlie conducted his "45" campaign, with Robert Burns and Mozart being born around this period. He did question whether the rules were of the same historical magnitude and invited members to form their own opinion! After handing out copies of a drawing of Leith from "The Easter Road" from 1751 depicting horsemen and golfers on the Links in the distance, he described Leith in those times and the part the golfers played in that society.
	Although the rules were only for the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and Leith Links, they have stood the test of time and form the basis of our modern rules [click here for the first rules]	View photographs of the event here (may be slow download times on some connections)
	Our main speaker was fellow member John Still, who gave a fascinating talk on his participation in The Hickory Grail, the hickory equivalent of the Ryder Cup, at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas last October. This was John's 5th participation and as Europe had defeated USA in the last two contests, John had been certain that they would have their work cut out to bring it home again. Although golfing camaraderie and sportsmanship were the order of the day, the USA's determination shone through and they ran out worthy victors. John described the opening ceremony as being a replica of the Ryder Cup and that no matter how often he had taken part, first tee "nerves" were always present!	Special memorabilia During his visit, John acquired the medal won by Max Faulkner in the 1951 Open Championship, which he was able to how on show. Members fervently hoped that handling such a piece of golfing history would improve their game for the coming season - if only it was as easy as that!