Captain Keith set to drive into office

Mr Macintosh has been nominated as captain by the past captains of the club and will begin his year in office with the traditional driving-in ceremony on the first tee of the Old Course on September 23.

A distinguished amateur golfer, Mr Macintosh won the Scottish Amateur Championship at Prestwick in 1979 and the Belgian Open Amateur Championship the following year.

The former Scotland international was also a member of the Great Britain and Ireland St Andrews Trophy team that defeated the Continent of Europe 19 ½ - 10 ½ at Royal St George’s in 1980.

He has been a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club since 1994 and, in 1999, won the Royal Medal, the club’s principal scratch medal prize at its autumn meeting.

Born in Cardross, in Argyll, in 1949, Mr Macintosh studied law at Glasgow University before serving his legal apprenticeship in Glasgow and becoming a solicitor.

The R&A has also announced that Sir Bob Charles ONZ, KNZM, CBE has become an Honorary Member.

Sir Bob is one of the world’s most renowned and popular golfers, becoming Champion Golfer of the Year after winning The Open in a play-off at Royal Lytham & St Annes in 1963.

He won nearly 80 titles around the world and was admitted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2008.

“I am extremely proud and gratified to be invited to become an Honorary Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club,” said Sir Bob.

“Winning The Open was a tremendous part of my career and I have always had a huge affinity for the championship and the wonderful links courses on which it is played.

“The club is at the heart of golf in St Andrews and it is a privilege to follow so many other great champions in becoming part of its history.”

Sir Bob received a CBE for services to golf in 1992.