The 18th and early 19th Century galleries at the British Golf Museum have recently been enhanced by loans from two of Scotland’s most eminent golf clubs, the Royal Perth Golfing Society and the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh.
On loan from Royal Perth Golfing Society is their wonderful silver club dating from 1824. Used to commemorate the past Captains of the Golfing Society, the silver club was gifted early in the club’s history by Sir David Moncrieff, their first Captain. Every Captain of the club commissions a silver golf ball which is then hung on this beautifully crafted club. A special and exquisite item from Royal Perth Golfing Society’s collection, this loan allows visitors to experience more of the history of the club and explore its significance within golf history.
Continuing in the same vein, on loan from the Royal Burgess Golfing Society of Edinburgh are two items of great importance and beauty. One is a fine David Allen watercolour of the procession of the silver club, dated 1793, and the other is a rare and important spoon dating from the mid 18th century. Both items illustrate the early years of the history of golf as well as being eye-catching and interesting objects in themselves.
“These items are hidden treasures from the collections belonging to both Royal Perth Golf Club and Royal Burgess Golf Club and we are delighted to have this opportunity to display them within the Museum,” commented Peter Lewis, the Museum Director. “They signify an important period in golf history and will undoubtedly be of major interest to all of the Museum’s visitors.