The then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, third son of Queen Victoria , was based in Malta in 1888 as Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet and became one of the founder members of the club. Hence the royal patronage from which the club gets its name. There are currently just 62 clubs worldwide with the exclusive Royal status. The initial course was originally sited in the moats and bastions around the capital city of Valletta, later moving to Marsa (in 1904), on a site part of which staged one of the great battles between the Knights of St John and the Ottoman Empire.
The past 18 months has been an extremely busy period at the Royal Malta Golf Club with the building of the new clubhouse and the continued improvement of the golf course. I am delighted to say that both have exceeded most of our expectations and we now boast an excellent modern clubhouse and a vastly improved golf course.
An extensive programme of golf and social events has been finalised. We are confident that the RMGC will deliver a memorable event for our members and special guests. The first week is aimed at our members and the second week is aimed at both our members and visitors who have been invited from all other Royal Clubs. We have already had confirmation of attendance from Clubs in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and other countries. Copies of the programme have been sent to all members and visitors. We hope that within the programme there is something for everyone; and for those members who do not play competitive golf, there will be an opportunity to share in several social events. It is important that we celebrate the very ethos of the Royal Malta Golf Club which is the friendship and generosity of its membership.
The first week of the celebrations will begin on 2nd of June with a mixed competition during the day and a cocktail party and the official opening of the new clubhouse in the evening. The week will continue with mixed competitions on Monday and Tuesday and a social evening on Wednesday.
On Thursday and Friday the ladies 125 Championship will take place and Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday will be the men’s 125 Championship.
During and after the Championship on Sunday 9th June our guests will be attending the club to register for the week’s golf. That evening the BOM, Past Captains, committee members and guests’ buddies will host a cocktail party on the roof terrace for our visitors.
The week that follows will again feature mixed competitions and social events. It will culminate in a prize-giving ceremony of the 125 anniversary competitions during the gala dinner which will be held at the Grand Masters Suite of the Hilton Hotel.
As the celebrations draw ever closer, I will continue to update you with news of our visitors and any changes to the programme.
On behalf of the committee, thank you for your support.
John Lewis
Chairman of 125 Committee
