Royal Malta Golf Club

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The Centenary year in the history of any club is a real milestone but due to unforeseen circumstances we at the Royal Malta Golf Club were not able to celebrate this event in manner we would have liked. Due to violent storms in 1988 the Club Centenary celebration had to be abandoned, and our Course Centenary in 2004 was postponed due to the relaying of all 20 greens. We have since received dispensation from the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews to embrace those lost festivities in 2013 our 125 anniversary, and I deem it a very special honour to have been asked to chair a celebrations committee.

The Royal Malta Golf Club was founded in October 1888 by Lieutenant – General Sir Henry D’Oyley Torrens KCB KCMG having a year or two earlier launched the game in South Africa at the Cape Golf Club the forerunner of Royal Cape. At the time the then Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alfred Ernest Albert, third son of Queen Victoria , was based in Malta as Commander of the Mediterranean Fleet and became one of the founder members of the club. Hence the royal patronage from where the club gets its name. The circle of golf clubs in the Commonwealth with Royal status is an exclusive one, with just 65 members.

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 a part of which staged one of the great battles between the Knight’s of St John and the Ottoman Empire.

During our 125th year golf and other special events will be spread throughout but the main celebrations will occupy a week beginning 2nd June and will include various golfing competitions, banquets and social events including a day in Sicily for a golfing competition and meal at the Picciolo golf club http://www.ilpicciologolf.com/English/e_pg_club.htm.

All through the week for non golfing partners, a day-time programme of visits to historic sites and places of interest will be arranged with a local guide escort. Arrangements are also being made with local hotels for a special anniversary rate for our guests and transport will be provided to and from the Course. The final night will be celebrated with a black tie banquet and prize giving which we believe will conclude a truly memorable event.

As is customary, invitations will be sent to a member of the Royal family and to His Excellency the President of Malta. We will also be inviting various dignitaries, Presidents and Captains of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and all Royal Clubs.

The Committee has the blessing of the Board of Management and although 2013 is some way off raising finances to fund the Programme will begin shortly. It is anticipated the fund raising will include sponsorship, donations and other social events. We are determined to ensure that our visitors and members will share in a special occasion, take pleasure in their golf and enjoy our royal hospitality.

I am keen to include the full membership in contributing to the content and programme of this special year with the objective of making a consolidated proposal to the Club Board of Management for its approval by 2010. At the present time I have not formed a regular committee this will be done at a later date after which various members will be approached to be seconded to the committee for specific tasks i.e. writing the history of the club, designing an annual calendar, assisting in organising competitions and events etc. The proposal to the Board of Management will be based on the finances available, and a separate, properly audited 125 years celebration account will be set up to be used solely for the programme.

John Lewis (BOM)
Chairman RMGC 125 Anniversary Committee