Dubliner Claire Dowling living the dream after bucking 272-year trend at the Home of Golf

They don’t call it the Home of Golf for nothing. St Andrews exudes tradition, some of which may seem a little entrenched. The Scottish club – arguably the most famous in the world and home of the Royal and Ancient (R&A) – has not always been quick to move with the times.

As recently as 2014, the R&A – the governing body for the sport outside of the US – had no women members. It is only in the last 10 years that women’s changing facilities were included inside the main clubhouse at St Andrews.