Princess Alexandra took time out from her busy schedule to help The Richmond Golf Club launch its 125th anniversary celebrations.
Her Royal Highness was guest of honour as the club staged a Founders’ Day reception on Friday, February 5 – the exact date when the club was formed in Richmond’s Greyhound Hotel back in 1891.
More than 200 members and guests joined the Princess for the glittering black-tie champagne reception in The Richmond Golf Club’s Grade I listed Georgian clubhouse, near London – with the highlight of the evening coming with the unveiling of two specially-commissioned paintings of the clubhouse by renowned artist Ken Howard RA OBE.
Princess Alexandra received rapturous applause as she revealed a painting depicting the clubhouse in summertime, with the other picture showing the clubhouse in its full winter glory being unveiled by Howard.
To help round an unforgettable evening off in style, guests were treated to a special one-off performance from members of The Stage Golfing Society – which has been based at The Richmond Golf Club for the last 68 years – as they humorously re-enacted some of the most notable events in the club’s illustrious history.
Jeremy Williams, captain of The Richmond Golf Club, said: “The event was a great success and I would like to thank everyone for all their hard work in providing such a memorable occasion to launch our anniversary celebrations.
“The word unique is often overused, but the evening really was a unique occasion for two reasons. Firstly, of course, it was the club’s 125th birthday and the date when it was formed in 1891. The second is that we were very honoured and privileged to welcome, for the first time, HRH Princess Alexandra. We were thrilled that she was able to join us and I’m sorry we have never invited her before!
“We’re very proud to be able to continue our close association with the Royal Family in such an important year for the club and this was a tremendous way to begin our busy calendar of events.”
Princess Alexandra’s attendance at the evening extended the club’s historic links with the Royal Family. King George VI was club captain in 1924 prior to ascending the throne; his wife, later to become the Queen Mother, was Patron of the club for many years until her death in 2002, while the current Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has been Patron since 2006.
The event is the first of many that will be staged by the club over the coming months that will see it host a series of golf days and glamorous evening events to celebrate its anniversary, including a special black-tie dinner at the House of Commons hosted by member and local MP Zac Goldsmith.
Situated just nine miles from central London in the village of Petersham, The Richmond Golf Club is a private members’ club that offers an outstanding golf experience and where new members and visitors are warmly welcomed.
Set in parkland adjoining Richmond Park and Ham Common, the par-70 course, which was originally laid out by prolific architect Tom Dunn in 1891, provides one of London’s most challenging and beautiful parkland layouts.
Narrow fairways and strategic bunkering put a premium on pinpoint accuracy, as do the six par-threes which average 182 yards in length, with the club’s historic Grade One listed, early-Georgian clubhouse offering a majestic venue in which to relax after playing 18 holes.
For further information on The Richmond Golf Club and its 125th anniversary celebrations, please visit www.therichmondgolfclub.com