Claire Dowling becomes first woman to captain St Andrews

St Andrews, Scotland. Claire Dowling has become the first woman to captain the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in its 272-year history. The appointment breaks a long-standing tradition at the venue, which is widely recognized as the home of the sport. Dowling, 68, is a Dubliner and one of the most decorated amateur golfers in Irish history.

The role is primarily ambassadorial, tasked with promoting the game globally. Dowling is the fourth Irish person to hold the position, following Joe Carr, Harry McCaw, and Gavin Caldwell. However, her selection has drawn the most attention due to the historic nature of the milestone. The club’s governing body, the R&A, had no women members as recently as 2014. Women’s changing facilities were only added to the main clubhouse within the last decade.

Dowling officially started her term last month with a traditional drive-in off the first tee at the Old Course. Hundreds of spectators gathered to watch the event, which included cannon fire and a chase by St Andrews caddies. As part of the custom, Dowling purchased her ball back with a gold sovereign. She described the drive-in as the scariest thing she had ever done.

Over the next year, Dowling will travel frequently to St Andrews. She is currently away for six weeks to engage with club members. Her duties include playing golf, attending dinners, and delivering speeches. She also represents the club’s global strategy, titled “Opening Golf to the World,” which aims to attract new players through various formats of the game, including simulators and shorter versions.

The club will host The Open Championship next July. Dowling will represent the club at R&A championships throughout the year. Her most prominent duty will be presenting the Claret Jug to the Champion Golfer of the Year at the Open. She noted that the Old Course maintains a unique atmosphere, with even casual players feeling a sense of nervousness on the historic layout.

Dowling grew up in Monkstown and currently lives in Devon with her husband. She began playing golf after helping her father at the John Jacobs Golf Centre, now known as Leopardstown Golf Centre. She claimed five Irish championships in the 1980s and won premier titles in Britain and Spain. Her career also included roles in hotel management and media, but she found her best fit in golf administration at Wentworth.

Her most significant competitive achievement occurred in 1986 when she played for the first Curtis Cup GB&I team to beat the USA away from home at Prairie Dunes. The team utilized a scientific approach to hydration and weight management under captain Diane Bailey. Dowling later served as Curtis Cup captain in 2000, leading a team that lost by a single point.

Dowling also established a career as a referee, officiating at several Open Championships. In 2021 at Royal St George’s, she and her husband Peter became the first married couple to referee at the event. She recalled a moment on the first hole where her husband was on television giving relief to Rory McIlroy, whose ball had ended up behind a TV tower.

As captain, Dowling aims to showcase the club’s inclusive structure. She noted that St Andrews treats women as equal members with access to all competitions and committees. She plans to promote this model globally to increase the visibility of the sport. Her goal is to encourage participation from people of all ages, highlighting the health and mental benefits of playing golf throughout one’s life.