1980/1

Ben Crenshaw, the two times Masters Champion, makes the journey to Royal Dornoch with club member Mark McCormack of IMG. When asked if he enjoyed his trip, famously Ben tells the secretary of The R&A that he almost didn’t come back! 

Another multiple Majors winner, Tom Watson arrives 1981, the year after winning at Muirfield – the third of five Open Championships. He intends to play 18 holes with Sandy Tatum, former president of the USGA, but enjoys a further two rounds. Tom famously declares it’s ‘the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.” 

Tom along with fellow American Ben, are made an Honorary Members of the Club in 1985 in recognition of the roles they played in bringing Royal Dornoch to the attention of golfers in the USA and beyond.