Interview with Peter Dawson

The Golf Club Secretary Newsletter has been accorded the privilege of interviewing Peter Dawson, Secretary of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. He has now been in the post for fifteen months and is coming to terms with the enormity of his office.

The Golf Club Secretary Newsletter asked their subscribers for their comments and queries on the R & A’s role within golf. Their responses have been classified into three areas: first, the governance of the game; second, the game itself; and thirdly, the R & A’s involvement in the ‘course’.

The Governance of the Game

It is well understood that the R & A is the governing body of the game world-wide, excluding the USA and Mexico, and that it runs the various British Championships, principally The Open. This in turn funds a vast array of golf related enterprises both in the UK and abroad. But, what is the role of the R & A domestically, as it is generally felt there is a lack of leadership in certain parts of the UK ?

"The R & A’s role is restricted to the Rules of Golf, the Rules of Amateur Status and equipment regulations. The R & A administers the game through 100 plus affiliated Unions, but it is NOT the ‘British Golf Association’ despite being based in the UK and despite being involved in the running of a number of British Championships - most notably The Open. Thus, through the income generated, we are able to support a number of British institutions such as CONGU, the Golf Foundation, STRI, BIGGA, etc."

"The R & A expects all Unions, wherever situated, to do the same job and expects Golf Clubs to work through their Home Unions."

"I think in the future the R & A will be giving increasing emphasis to its international role. In particular we need to be using a greater proportion of our available funds for international development projects. The appointment of Duncan Weir as Golf Development Secretary is designed to enhance our awareness of international needs as well as to improve the monitoring of our effectiveness."

Does the divergence of opinion with the USGA over the ‘spring-like effect’ driver worry the R & A ? Also, do you feel that some National Associations/Unions may be tempted to ‘go it alone’, as the Canadians have done over the driver ?

"It is a disappointment that the R & A and USGA have failed to agree on this occasion, and it sharpens the mind. The R & A is concerned about the distance the ball is travelling but feels that on this occasion the particular problem was a rel-atively minor one and does not require a change in the Rules."

"The Canadians are in a difficult position and they really had no choice, with so many of their players and Tours crossing the border with the US. There are precedents for the RCGA to go with the USGA on matters of equipment, most notably on the issue of the ‘big ball’. There certainly appears to be no discernible tendency for any Country to want to ‘go it alone’ and the system is working."

The R & A has a huge area of responsibility, have you thought of opening offices elsewhere in the world in different time zones? In future , as the popularity of golf spreads, will it become more difficult to control the game ?

"This is a possibility, but there are no short term plans."

The Game of Golf

Does the R & A feel that they are winning the war against the erosion of Amateur Status ? Do you foresee a time wherein the game may go ‘open’?

"The retention of the concept of Amateur Status is of great importance, although there are different pressures on this in different parts of the world. Without the Amateur game, there would be no competitive environment for elite amateurs to represent their country in competition. If the game went ‘open’ it would just go up to the top professional level. It would be impossible, for the vast majority, to run an honest handicapping system if playing for money."

There appears to be some confusion over the development of Junior golf in the UK. The R & A has been a strong supporter of the Golf Foundation over the years, but it would appear that its role, at least in England, has been supplanted by the England Junior Golf Partnership. What do you see as the future ? With whom do you co-operate to ensure that those children, who are brought into the game, have the opportunity of joining a Golf Club ?

"It is no secret that the Golf Foundation has had its difficulties. In many ways it is a victim of its own success, with the demand for Starter Centres outstripping the ability to raise money. The R & A is a big funder of the Golf Foundation. We are currently conducting a review of the role of the Golf Foundation and our involvement in it, which is not quite complete, but I am sure you will see the R & A continuing its strong support in the future."

A year ago you mentioned a lack of a ‘college system’ in the UK for aspiring golfers, has anything progressed on this ?

"The changes to the Rules of Amateur Status recently announced will go some way towards helping college golfers in the UK (see Update page 159). The inability of some top European amateurs to play in important events on this side of the Atlantic because of date clashes with US collegiate golf is a cause for concern. The value of the system in the US is a combination of academic tuition with a well developed competitive golf programme. This will be a major subject of discussion at the International Golf Conference we are staging here in St Andrews in May"

Do you think that the Solheim Cup win will have done anything for Women’s golf in the UK, or will the effect be felt more on the Continent ?

"Any win for Europe against the Americans is good for the game of golf generally. The result has clearly highlighted the quality of golf played on the Ladies European Tour which will benefit the forthcoming season. The R & A hopes that they can build on this success, which should encourage girls to take up the game."

The Course

A year ago you were contemplating the appointment of an Environmental Co-ordinator for golf courses, will this appointment be made, and if so when ?

"The role of the R & A in this area can only be to provide advice and direction to its affiliated Unions. I see us building up a small network of experts with whom we work closely and on whose services we can call as needed. We will continue to issue publications from time to time on environmental matters."

After the success of your own Conference and the meeting of Links Clubs at Royal West Norfolk, what are the plans of the Golf Course Advisory Panel to combat the loss of our historic Links ?

"Naturally, we are very concerned about all the problems that have been highlighted, whatever their cause, but each case will have to be assessed on its individual merit, as no fund could be created to ‘solve’ all the problems. You cannot beat nature."

You are a major contributor to the funding of organisations that are concerned with the improvement in playing conditions, e.g. the STRI, GTC and BIGGA. What is your involvement now and in the future ?

"We are certainly taking more of a lead in these areas, but the R & A will not be employing its own agronomists or in-house greenkeeper training specialists. We shall continue to use agencies with whom we are satisfied and with whom we have a relationship. Thus, when an affiliated Union has a problem, we can assess it and direct these agencies to solve it, either at the expense of that Union or of the R & A if they are in need of support. The R & A will strengthen its involvement in these areas and, as previously mentioned, we shall be looking closely at the effectiveness of our financial involvement."

Finally

What have been your personal highs and lows in the last year ? Have you had a round with Tiger yet ?

"There have been hardly any lows, but the high must be The Open Championship at St Andrews and prior to that the Past Champions Tournament, it was a truly marvellous spectacle enjoyed by many thousands. As to Tiger, he’s been avoiding me..."