22-642: The Swilcan Bridge , or Swilken Bridge , or Swilcanth as it was known, is a small stone bridge in St Andrews Links golf course, Scotland. The bridge spans the Swilcan Burn between the first and eighteenth fairways on the Old Course , and has become an important image in the sport of golf. The bridge had previously been known as the Golfers' Bridge for hundreds of years. The bridge itself
44-531: A house on the south side of Linlithgow High Street in 1550. In 1570 from this house, his nephew or close kinsman, James Hamilton of Bothwellhaugh , assassinated James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray , the Regent of Scotland. During the aftermath, John Hamilton later took refuge in Dumbarton Castle . The castle fell to a surprise night attack, led by Thomas Crawford of Jordanhill, and Archbishop Hamilton
66-400: A mile to the east of the town. The famous Old Course is widely considered one of the finest courses in the world. The courses of St Andrews Links are owned by the local authorities and operated by St Andrews Links Trust, a charitable organization. In general, St Andrews is a popular hub for golf tourism, as there is a high density of links and heathland courses in the area. In addition to
88-401: Is also home to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews , one of the most prestigious golf clubs and, until 2004, one of the two rule-making authorities of golf. The history of St Andrews Links goes back to 1552 when John Hamilton was granted a charter to establish a rabbit warren to the north of the links. The St Andrews Links Charter refers to the public ownership of the links and
110-742: Is host to the St Andrews Links Trophy . The Jubilee is one of several courses in Scotland that are under threat from erosion . The Strathtyrum Course, opened in July 1993, became the first new 18 hole layout at St Andrews in nearly 80 years. It was built on land that was previously part of the Strathtyrum estate and sold to the St Andrews Links Trust by Mrs Gladys Cheape in 1986. The Old Course, believed to be
132-452: Is set on a rugged-cliff top a mile to the east of St Andrews with extensive views over the town, and was designed by the architect David McLay Kidd. The course is a par 71 and measures 6,759 yards from the back tees. The Eden Course opened in 1914 after demand on the existing courses grew. It was designed by Harry Colt , and alterations in 1989 by Donald Steel maintain Colt's standards. It
154-455: Is small; at its farthest extent it measures about 30 feet long, eight feet wide and six feet tall, in the style of a simple Roman arch. Originally built at least 700 years ago to help shepherds get livestock across, it has the modern photographic advantage of great backdrops on three sides: the course's grand Royal and Ancient Clubhouse and Hamilton Grand on one, often a packed grandstand of enthusiasts on another, and rolling hills facing toward
176-482: The North Sea , on the third. The approach to the bridge was on turf , although there had been a stone path in the distant past. Due to the prominence of the bridge, many people often congregated near it—for example to see and photograph players standing on it, and to stand on the bridge when golf was not being played—which caused the turf to become badly eroded. This was addressed by frequent returfing or reseeding of
198-405: The area, and experimenting with artificial turf , but the problem remained. In 2023 the area that saw most wear was paved with stone, as it had been in the distant past. This led to criticism that it looked like a "DIY patio". It is customary for champions of golf to publicly show some sort of homage or respect to the structure. For example, in early July 2010 at The Open Championship Tom Watson
220-459: The background. St Andrews Links St Andrews Links in the town of St Andrews , Fife , Scotland , is regarded as the "Home of Golf ". It has one of the oldest courses in the world, where the game has been played since the 15th century. Today there are seven public golf courses : the Balgove, Eden, Jubilee, Strathtyrum, New, and the Old Course all on the links, and The Castle Course,
242-662: The cure was effected by his assistant, he was paid 1,400 gold crowns. While the Archbishop was unwell, his brother was persuaded to give up the Regency of Scotland to Mary of Guise . He made vigorous efforts to stay the growth of Protestantism , but with one or two exceptions persecution was not the policy of Archbishop Hamilton, and in the interests of the Roman Catholic faith, a catechism called Hamilton's Catechism (published with an introduction by TG Law in 1884)
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#1732793462124264-533: The hardest courses at St Andrews Links. The course is commonly used to test junior and amateur golfers for the British Mid-Amateur Golf Championship, as well as the St Andrews Links Trophy . Initially a 12-hole course, it was expanded to 18 holes in 1905. The course has seen considerable developments under the management of Willie Auchterlonie, Donald Steel, David Wilson and Graeme Taylor. It now plays at around 6,745 yards, and
286-520: The oldest golf course in the world, dates back more than 600 years. The New Course, located adjacent to the Old Course, was paid for and commissioned by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club who asked Old Tom Morris to be designer. The New Course opened for play in 1895. John Hamilton (archbishop of St Andrews) John Hamilton (3 February 1512 – 6 April 1571), Scottish prelate and politician,
308-533: The public courses there are two courses at the privately owned Fairmont Hotel (Torrance and Kittocks) to the south of the town; and the Duke's and Drumoig, both inland parkland courses to the west. A few miles further South are the modern links of Kingsbarns and the traditional Balcomie links at Crail . Also nearby are the courses at Elie , Lundin , Leven , Scotscraig and Anstruther . Within 45 minutes drive are Monifieth , Carnoustie and Panmure . St Andrews
330-410: The right of the people of St Andrews to play golf and other games. The right to play golf on the links were subsequently confirmed in local and royal charters. The land was acquired by James Cheape, owner of the adjacent Strathtyrum estate, in 1821 and sold by his brother's grandson, also named James Cheape, to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews in 1893. Control of St Andrews Links
352-517: The same time he became treasurer of the kingdom . In 1553 the Italian physician Gerolamo Cardano cured him of a disease that had left him speechless and was thought incurable. The diplomat Thomas Randolph recorded the "merry tales" rumoured about his methods still current in Edinburgh nine years later. Cardano himself wrote that the Archbishop had been short of breath for ten years, and after
374-681: Was an illegitimate son of The 1st Earl of Arran (in the Peerage of Scotland ). At a very early age Hamilton became a monk and Abbot of Paisley . After studying in Paris he returned to Scotland, where he soon rose to a position of power and influence under his half-brother, The 2nd Earl of Arran , who was serving as Regent . He was made Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland in 1543 and bishop of Dunkeld two years later; in 1546 he followed Cardinal Beaton as Archbishop of St Andrews , and about
396-659: Was captured. Concerned lest the English should seek to have the Archbishop spared, the leaders of the King's party had Hamilton speedily tried and convicted of art and part in the murder of the Regent Moray and Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley . At 6 pm on 6 April 1571, three days after his capture, he was hanged beside the Mercat Cross of Stirling . Archbishop Hamilton had six children by his mistress, Grizzel Sempill,
418-570: Was drawn up and printed, possibly at his instigation. Having incurred the displeasure of the Protestants, now the dominant party in Scotland, the Archbishop was imprisoned in 1563. After his release he was an active partisan of Mary, Queen of Scots ; he baptised her son, the future King James VI , and pronounced the divorce of the queen from Bothwell . He was present at the Battle of Langside . John Hamilton, with his brother James, acquired
440-580: Was named after the Eden estuary by which it resides, as the profits from mussels collected there once made up an important part of the St Andrews economy. The Jubilee Course is the third championship golf course at the Home of Golf. It was named after Queen Victoria 's Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1897. Originally intended for Victorian dressed ladies, and other golf beginners, it has evolved into one of
462-590: Was photographed kissing the bridge. At the 2005 Open Championship , Jack Nicklaus gave his final farewell to professional golf while standing on the bridge. On the second floor of the World Golf Hall of Fame museum in St. Augustine, Florida , there is a life-size stone replica of the Swilcan Bridge, accompanied by a floor-to-ceiling photograph of the Royal & Ancient clubhouse and Hamilton Hall in
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#1732793462124484-476: Was regulated by the St. Andrews Links Act 1894 and St. Andrews Links Order Confirmation Act 1974 which resulted in the creation of the St Andrews Links Trust. The Balgove Course, named after the farm on which it was built, is a 1,520 yard, par 30, nine-hole course. It was originally opened in 1972 and remodeled in 1993. The Castle Course opened in June 2008, becoming the seventh public course at St Andrews. It
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