It's obvious that the oldest clubs are in the United Kingdom, but if we broaden our gaze to the rest of the world, there are others that can boast a long history, though not as long as the Scottish ones, the longest-running.
Golf, courses
Here are some, in strict order of age.
SAVANNAH GOLF CLUB USA
The oldest club in the United States was founded in 1794, as evidenced by documents that mention a ball to celebrate its founding, held in 1796.
It is also true that it ceased operations for a few years, thus leaving a slice of fame at the St. Andrews Club in New York, where golf has been played continuously since 1888.
ROYAL CALCUTTA GOLF CLUB INDIA
Founded in 1829 as the Calcutta Golf Club, it received Royal status in 1912, under the patronage of King George V.
The club's courses have changed over time.
The current course has hosted the Indian Open nineteen times.
MAURITIUS GYMKHANA GOLF CLUB MAURITIUS
Golf arrived in Mauritius in 1844, and the Mauritius Gymkhana Golf Club was founded in 1849.
It was originally known as the Mauritius Naval and Military Gymkhana Club, having been established as a recreational club for British officers stationed on the island.
PAU GOLF CLUB FRANCE
The first club beyond the Alps is also the oldest in continental Europe.
It was founded in 1856 by a group of British tourists vacationing in the Pyrenees resort, renowned for its climate.
The course was designed by Willie Dunn, a Scottish professional.
ROYAL CURRAGH GOLF CLUB IRELAND
Incredibly, the first Irish club was founded only in 1858 (honestly, I thought there were older ones).
This course also had a close connection to the military, as it was built near Camp Curragh, an army base in County Kildare.
The current course is a par 72 designed by Patrick Merrigan.
But which is the oldest club in our country?
The first one to be established in Italy was the CIRCOLO DEL GOLF DI ROMA ACQUASANTA.
It was founded in 1903 by a group of British and American diplomats, who had been meeting since 1898 to play at The Rome Golf Club, on a course outside Porta Pia, on the Via Nomentana.
In January 1903, the founding group commissioned Arthur Flasch to identify a suitable area for the construction of an 18-hole course.
The assembly, in November of the same year, ratified the choice of the land owned by the Torlonia princes.
The rest is history (pictured is the first clubhouse).
