Did you know that the history of golf in Royston stretches back 400 hundred years? In celebration of golf being played in 1624, Royston Golf Club are holding events this autumn and are inviting people from the town to an open morning at the Clubhouse on Sunday 6th October.
After James I (James VI of Scotland) succeeded Elizabeth I in 1603 he selected Royston as the site for his hunting lodge, the remnants of which can still be seen at King James I’s Palace in the town. It was not surprising that golf might have been one of the leisure activities of his court since the tradition was brought south when James succeeded to the throne.
Documentary evidence shows that a favoured member of the court, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, was recorded paying the ‘Gofball keep[er] for clubs and balles at Roiston [sic] 4 october 1624 £1 11s 6d’. That day he ‘Lost to Sr Robert Deale at Goff [sic]’ paying £2 0s 0d, which we assume was a wager.
Events on Sunday 6th October will begin with a team of 12 playing members of the Hickory Golf Society, who play using only wooden golf clubs, starting from the 1st tee from 9.30am.
Meanwhile, you are invited to join us to try your hand at putting or chipping balls on our three-hole par 3 course in front of the Clubhouse, from 10am to 1pm. Clubs and balls will be available.
