Yesterday, I was invited to join one of my staff members, Margaret, to have 'a cuppa' [tea] and tour the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club. We met a friend of Margaret's, Norman Smith, whom is the current sitting club Secretary. This is one of two courses around the corner from me, literally. Here's a little history.
Golf had been played informally on Wimbledon Common from the beginning of the 19th Century and in 1864 a few members of the London Scottish Rifle Volunteers, posted nearby, formed the London Scottish Golf Club, playing from Mrs Doggett’s Cottage beside the Windmill. The course was limited to seven holes (three rounds being played to approximate to the 18 hole standard). Civilians were admitted to membership in 1869 and by 1874 numbered 250 against the Corps’ 50. Allegedly, the RWGC is the third oldest in England. 
In 1871 the course was extended to eighteen holes before the newly formed Common Conservators ... set up to manage the Common and protect it from commercial exploitation ... could interfere. It is described as ‘one of the finest courses in this country, equal in extent and superior in the number and variety of hazards to the far famed links of St Andrews’.
The military maintained control over the Club’s affairs and in the winter of 1880, the civilians’ resentment. The civilians' subscription was 4 guineas and a Corp's Member was 1/2 guinea, AND no democratic rights attached.
Which begs the question, 'what is a guinea'? It was the first English machine-struck gold coin, originally worth one English Pound Sterling, but as the price of gold fluctuated, the Guinea was abandoned for the gold standard.
Anyway, the two parties went their separate ways. The military retained the "London Scottish" title; the breakaways, who had found premises nearer the town, claimed "Wimbledon Golf Club" and a year later their Patron, the Prince of Wales, agreed to the addition of the "Royal" prefix. So, on 6th June 1882, in calmer waters after the storm of secession, the Royal Wimbledon Golf Club was born.
The London Scottish Golfers are required to wear a pillar box red upper garment when playing golf; including Waterproofs when needed. This begs the question, what is 'pillar box red'? Funny you should ask. A pillar box is a free-standing post box and they are red! Norman said this is because it is a 'free course'.
Initially, the two Clubs shared the same Wimbledon Common course designed by Tom Dunn. In 1907, the RWGC began construction of a new course on the present site, designed by Willie Park Jr. It was radically redesigned in 1924 by a member, the renowned Harry Colt (Rye, Swinley Forest, Wentworth and St Germain, Paris). Essentially this is the course played today.
After having a bit of wine [new definition of 'having tea'], Norman took us for a ride in a golf cart around the course. It is beautiful. Really, really nice. And as we were in a golf cart built for two, we were a 'sight' on the course because not only were there three of us, apparently golf carts are not how a 'proper golfer' plays the game. Though I did learn that the course is acquiring six carts this year ... 'for the old guys'.
After the tour, we actually did have that 'cuppa'. Very cool.
