New R&A captain drives in

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has a new captain after the official driving-in ceremony took place on the 1st tee of the Old Course last week

The Royal & Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews has a new captain after the official driving-in ceremony took place on the 1st tee of the Old Course last week.

George Macgreggor OBE dispatched a long drive down the middle of the 1st fairway at precisely 8am on Friday September 21 as a cannon sounded alongside the tee.

As part of his role, Macgreggor will represent the R&A, attend R&A Championships, support its work in developing golf around the world and assume an ambassadorial role for the club.

"It's a pretty unique tradition in the world of golf. To be captain is a fantastic honour and I am very much looking forward to it," said Macgregor.

"The R&A is making great strides within that with a range of initiatives in different parts of the world.

"I think my role is to build on the world that previous captains have done.

"Sandy Dawson, whom I am following, has travelled thousands of miles around the world and has made a great efforts to go out there and meet with golfers and organisations all over the world.

"That's an important part of this role."

Born in Midlothian, Scotland, in 1944, Macgregor is one of Scotland's most successful amateur golfer.

He played five Walker Cups, served as captain in 1991 and 1993, represented Scotland for 18 years, won the Scottish Stroke Play Championship in 1982 and reached the final of the Scottish Amateur Championship that year.

Macgregor - awarded an OBE in 1996 - has served on three R&A committees and been the Director of Championships at the Scottish Golf Union since 2010.