67th International Golf Tournament

The Rotary Club of St Andrews' annual International Golf Championship 2023 (now in its 67^th year) took place from 12-15 June. This event has developed from a home countries tournament in the 1950’s to an event drawing Rotarians from across the world. This year a total of 250 players from 20 countries descended on the St Andrews Links courses. Organised by a small but skilled team led by Convener Douglas Jackson, play began on Monday on the Old and Eden courses with a separate Ladies Competition on the Strathtyrum course. Tuesday meant a reversal of the courses for the men and women Rotarians while their partners putted on the ‘Himalayas’. The cut in the field was made on Tuesday evening with the top 45 players going forward to play on the New Course on Wednesday followed by the Old Course once more on Thursday. The next 45 played on the Jubilee course on Wednesday afternoon while the remainder were welcomed to play on the Dukes course for a special Charity Day which benefitted the David Knott Foundation for medical support in war situations. The principal results saw Denmark win the Team Competition followed by Ireland and India; winner of the Ladies Competition was Ireland’s Rena Fitzpatrick; the Champion Golfer of the year resulted in a 3 way tie but, after a count back, the winner was Antonio Lenares from Lugano (Switzerland) with Yogendra Mohan Singh (India) second and Michael Kennedy (Ireland) third. Special thanks must go to the New Golf Club and St Andrews Links Trust as well as the staff at the Dukes Course, without whom our task would have been more difficult. The week concluded on Thursday evening when trophies and other prizes were presented at a Gala Dinner for 280 players, organisers and guests in the Hall of Champions at The Old Course Hotel. In a week where the spirit of Rotary Fellowship, Goodwill and Peace was evidenced throughout and the sun shone solidly for five days, the 67^th year of this event was truly one to remember.