The Martin Slumbers R&A Holiday Card
The R&A Chief recaps 2021 and looks ahead to the Open's St Andrews return.
While you (hopefully) enjoyed the holiday season, this newsletter’s vast reporting network pursued the impregnable quadrilateral of “gets”: the year-end holiday recaps from those running the major championships. Whether it was just a matter of timing, Royal Mail or Brexit, we have finally procured R&A Chief Martin Slumbers’ card and update. Quad subscribers have already enjoyed prior (and re-typed for source-protection) letters from Fred Ridley, Seth Waugh and the Two Mikes.
Happy New Year!
Greetings from a predictably wet winter so far in St Andrews.
Her Majesty’s Most Gracious Speech once again addressed and emboldened the nation even though she gave us no guidance on what to do about our former Captain, the Duke of York. However, her welcoming of four more to the family provided a wonderful reminder that we, in coordination with our colleagues at the USGA, have refined the amateur status rules so that our children can sign Name, Image and Likeness arrangements to help cover the high cost of amateur golf. Progress, indeed.
While the Queen’s New Year’s Honour’s List failed to bequeath Knighthood status on my predecessor Peter Dawson, I bring wonderful news about the retired R&A Chief Executive, retired International Golf Federation president and retired head of Golf Dubai something-or-other. Peter was recently named Managing Director of the Old Course Hotel and with the tight global supply chain affecting premium lodging capacity, he is a fine person to know if you’re looking for St Andrews accommodations. (Notwithstanding Open week, a key stipulation he sternly asked me to relay.)
Peter has been member of the Old Course Hotel’s Board of Directors since the Kohler Company purchased that striking edifice in 2004 and now, after all these years chasing his dreams, becomes a full-time hotelier. If ever there was a person less suited to the hospitality business, I’m fairly sure I’d remember. Personally, I look forward to looking up from the same desk Peter once used and out through the clubhouse windows toward the Old Course Hotel, awaiting his call to whinge about 330-yard tee shots pelting HIS Jigger Inn customers.
Peter’s first act as Managing Director was to make available the hotel’s Royal and Ancient Suite any time our organization needs a last minute £9,996-a-night option with twin en suite KOHLER sinks, mini-kitchen with KOHLER trimmings, and KOHLER bulletproof windows able to withstand all major brands of surlyn. Also, I should warn you, if ever there should be a mix-up with your booking and Peter’s working the desk, this is the look you will receive. Do not take it personally.
