From his office atop the R&A Clubhouse behind the Old Course’s first tee at St. Andrews, Scotland, Peter Dawson can survey the hordes of golfers who flock to the “Home of Golf.” Dawson, who retires later this year as the R&A’s chief executive, has much to be proud of during his 16-year tenure: golf’s return to the Olympics and female members being accepted to the Royal & Ancient Golf Club among them.
Golf participation in the United Kingdom, however, is not one of them.
Professional golf visits Scotland for two weeks, beginning with this week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Gullane Golf Club, followed by the Open Championship at St.