A MOST SPECIAL DAY AT ST. ANNE’S OLDE LINKS

Whilst the TD dreams of one day writing about his golfing prowess, his blog continues to be about the people, the places and special connections to golf…again, the people. 

Through arrangement by Captain Steeeve (of Blackpool) TD and his entourage were “linked” with Gary of St. Anne’s Olde Course, the fabled predecessor to Royal Lytham & St. Annes (which by the way will be holding the Women’s Open next week). 

The current iteration of this beloved Club dates to 1901 when a group of locals banded together to save it from becoming a housing tract.  This flat, windswept course contains one of Bobby Jones’ favorite holes, the par three ninth called “Cannon”.   In 1926, while playing at St. Anne’s Ole Links in preparation the Open Championship, he took detailed measurements, possibly in an attempt to replicate the hole in the US. 

Access to the storied club was arranged by Captain Steeeve (center) through his member-friend-ally Gary (left).  Gary gave the group a history of, not only the club, but the process for obtaining membership which includes a nominal initiation fee, playing a few rounds with current members, an annual membership fee of about 1200 pounds sterling.  Unbelievable!  Gary compared the initiation fees and process to the fabled Royal  course nearby and this sent chills up the spine of the TD as he knew that his ilk would never have been crowned by such a club.  That said, the group did make a stop at RL&St.A’s for a tour of the pro-shop and some were even allowed to use the toilet. 

Meanwhile, back at St. Anne’s Olde Links, TD appears to be needing to use the toilet himself.  Thanks so much to Gary…and to Captain Steeeve for making these arrangements.  It was, no doubt, a trip highlight as TD had attempted entry to this club in 2022 and was promptly “shown the (toilet) door.”   Just kidding, the people are super friendly but, for some reason, when a Women’s Open Qualifier is on the course, old men are “not”.