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TWO HUNDRED YEARS OF ROYAL MONTROSE GOLF CLUB
- LET CELEBRATIONS COMMENCE!
2010 is the bicentenary of the founding of Royal Montrose Golf Club, the 9th oldest golf club in continual existence and one of Carnoustie Country's most historic golf courses.
To celebrate, Club members gathered in period costume to launch a programme of special events, both on and off the fairways and greens of the Montrose Links.
"Our Bicentenary Celebrations will enable golfers from all over the world to join us in celebrating our Club's two hundred years of golfing history and heritage," said Ian Harley, Captain of Royal Montrose Golf Club. "The celebrations will also shine the spotlight on the famous Montrose Links, one of the top golfing locations in the renowned Carnoustie Country portfolio and home of Montrose Medal, the Open-qualifying golf course which is considered one of the toughest links courses in the world."
The Bicentenary Celebrations will begin with a Hogmanay Dance in the Clubhouse on December 31, 2009. On the stroke of midnight, glasses will be raised to toast the founder members of the Club and a new flag will be hoisted to mark the beginning of 2010, the Club's bicentenary year and the year in which the prestigious British Senior Open will be held in Angus.
Many of the Club's Bicentenary Celebrations will take place on the Montrose Links, where members of Royal Montrose have been playing golf for 200 years. On January 2, golfers dressed in early 19th century golfing garb and playing with hickory-shafted clubs will commemorate the Club's first golf tournament by competing in a 7-hole tournament on the Broomfield Course.
The festivities will continue on January 23 with the Royal Montrose Bicentenary Burns Supper, followed by the Bicentenary Ball in Montrose Town Hall on March 26, an opportunity for members and guests to don their finery and celebrate the Club's 200 years with a night of dancing. Then, on April 25, exactly 200 Montrose golfers will compete in the 1810 Competition while tournaments will be held throughout the year for specially-commissioned bicentenary medals.
One of the golfing highlights of the Bicentenary Celebrations will be the world's second 25-hole Open, which is being held on Sunday, May 30. "This re-enactment of the 25-hole Open held by Royal Montrose in 1866 promises to be an equally historic occasion for the Club," said Ian Harley, who added that, on August 1, foursomes from every club in Angus will compete against foursomes from Royal Montrose in the Bicentenary Foursomes Tournament.
As summer comes to an end, Royal Montrose's bicentenary year will reach its peak with the club's key event - a week of celebration with international guests. From August 29 until September 3, the Club will host a week-long 200th birthday party, with golfers from the world's 62 Royal Golf Clubs playing in a series of commemorative golf competitions, including a second 7-hole, hickory-shaft tournament, which promises to be hotly-contested.
As part of the celebrations, the Club will hold a schools competition for Primary 6/7 and Secondary 1/2 pupils. The competition will feature generous prizes, a free golf lesson for every entrant and, for those who wish it (including existing Juniors), free Junior club membership.
"2010 is going to be a wonderful year for Royal Montrose and for all the golfers who are able to join in with our celebrations," said Ian Harley. "This all bodes very well for the Club's next 200 years."
The calendar of the Royal Montrose Golf Club's Bicentenary Celebrations is available at Royal Montrose Golf Club
To find out more about Carnoustie Country and its golf courses - including the Carnoustie Classic Tournament, which is played on the Montrose Medal,Carnoustie Championship, Panmure and Monifieth Medal courses - visit Carnoustie Country