Last September, golf fans John and Margo McKay struck it lucky when they went for a walk along the edge of the beach. Nestling in rushes was a rare gutta percha 'Mecca' golf ball made by D. Anderson of St Andrews and dating back to the late 19th century.
The couple, of Fernbank Drive, Windygates, who regularly marshall at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and at the Open, had been keeping an eye out for stray golf balls but they never expected to find such an old one, just yards from the 10th tee on the Jubilee Golf Course.
At the time, John (78), a member of Lundin Golf Club, Lundin Links, suspected there was something special about it. On the advice of R&A honorary professional Jim Farmer and the British Golf Museum in St Andrews, he got it valued.
Last Saturday (January 27) the ball was one of 450 lots at Bonham's golfing memorabilia sale in Chester.
The McKays travelled down to see it go under the hammer for £440 and were delighted at their windfall.
Read more in this week's St Andrews Citizen