Claire Dowling Becomes First Female Captain Of The Royal & Ancient Golf Club

Claire Dowling celebrates becoming the first woman to captain the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews — (Image credit: The R&A)

There was a moment of history on the Old Course on Friday as Claire Dowling officially started her term as the first ever female captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

In the tradtional driving-in ceremony on the first tee at the Old Course, a cannon fired and the new captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club fired a tee shot down the famous opening fairway.

This was far from a traditional moment this year though, as with Dowling starting her year as captain she made history as she became the first ever woman to hold the position.

In front of a sizeable crowd of members, former captains and friends and family, Dowling teed off to begin her historic appointment - which is the pinnacle of a long career in golf.

“To begin my year as captain here in St Andrews, surrounded by friends and fellow Members, is a very special moment," said Dowling.

"It is a huge privilege to serve as captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and I am honoured to be the first woman to take on the role. The club has such a remarkable history and tradition but it is continuing to evolve which is so important for any institution."

As captain, Dowling will represent the club in an ambassadorial role and attend many of the R&A's events, both professional and amateur.

“I am really looking forward to representing the Club and to everything the year ahead will bring," she added.

"I'm also excited to be supporting The R&A as it continues its important work to develop and promote golf around the world while celebrating everything that makes our sport so special.”

A first drive. A historic year.Claire Dowling begins her term as the first female Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. pic.twitter.com/zoK2pkeaeRSeptember 25, 2026

Born and raised in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Dowling won five Irish Championships and the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship as part of a successful playing career.

Dowling then captained GB&I in the Curtis Cup to a narrow 10-8 defeat against the USA at Ganton in 2000, and was also one of the first women to become Members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in 2015.

After serving on several committees she's now landed the big job and will go down in the history books.

An experienced referee, honorary life member of the Irish Ladies’ Golf Union and holding a current handicap of 7.6, there aren't too many people as entrenched in the world of golf as the new, historic captain.

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Paul Higham is a sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in covering most major sporting events for both Sky Sports and BBC Sport. He is currently freelance and covers the golf majors on the BBC Sport website. Highlights over the years include covering that epic Monday finish in the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor and watching Rory McIlroy produce one of the most dominant Major wins at the 2011 US Open at Congressional. He also writes betting previews and still feels strangely proud of backing Danny Willett when he won the Masters in 2016 - Willett also praised his putting stroke during a media event before the Open at Hoylake. Favourite interviews he's conducted have been with McIlroy, Paul McGinley, Thomas Bjorn, Rickie Fowler and the enigma that is Victor Dubuisson. A big fan of watching any golf from any tour, sadly he spends more time writing about golf than playing these days with two young children, and as a big fair weather golfer claims playing in shorts is worth at least five shots. Being from Liverpool he loves the likes of Hoylake, Birkdale and the stretch of tracks along England's Golf Coast, but would say his favourite courses played are Kingsbarns and Portrush.