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There is no doubt, whatsoever, that the year 1744 marked an important event in the history of golf when the first-ever written Rules Of Golf were penned and remained, essentially, undiscovered until 1937 when one C.B. Clapcott, during his examination of the Minute Book of the Company Of Gentlemen Golfers at Edinburgh, Scotland, found the Rules reordered on the last two pages. The pages contained both the original Rules Of Golf, thirteen Articles in all, and the signature of John Rattray, Captain Of The Golf.* Today, the Club is located at Muirfield, East Lothian, Scotland. The Rules, as presented, are a copy of those contained in the Minute book and thus reflect the phonetic spelling and grammar of the day, 07 - March - 1744. Rattray, a surgeon, won the coveted Silver Club, which had been presented to the Gentlemen Golfers by the Edinburgh Town Council for annual competition in both 1744 and 1745. Today, two and one half centuries later, there are five such Silver Clubs, as each Captain attaches an inscribed silver ball to the club. In 1980, the fifth Silver Club was presented to Jack Nicklaus, at Muirfield Village, in Ohio, USA. In 1746, John Rattray's older
brother, James Rattray, the Laird of Craighall Rattray, as a token
of support to the Jacobite cause, (supporters of the exiled Scottish
King's claim to the British throne), suggested that John Rattray
offer his medical services to Bonnie Price Charlie (the king in
exiles oldest son) as his personal physician during the Uprising.
On 16 - April - 1746, after the battle of Culloden (the last battle
fought on British soil, to try and reinstate the Scottish Kings
to the throne of Britain), Rattray was captured by the English -
led forces and sentenced to be executed. Fortunately for Rattray,
his good friend and golfing companion, Lord President Forbes, who
chose not to take sides during the Uprising, had considerable influence
and intervened on behalf of Rattray and his life was spared.
It is with much pleasure that the Clan Rattray Society, formed in 1993 and based in Perthshire, Scotland, where Rattrays have been known to have lived since the year 1044, presents the Rules Of Golf in this form for the enjoyment and display by golfers around the world. *N.B.These rules can be obtained for £5.00 each, plus postage and packaging of £1.50 to anywhere in the world. The packaging costs remain fixed for multiple orders, as the rules are sent in a cardboard tube to you, many copies can be included in the same tube. All sales go to the Clan Society funds, thanks to Keith Rattray. The Tradition Continues In 2000, as part of the festivities at the World Gathering, the first John Rattray Memorial Clan tournament was held at Dalmunzie Golf Club in Perthshire. Both a Men's and Lady's Champion were named at the conclusion of the tournament.
2000 Clan Golf Champions
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