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Then and Now. . . historic images of St Andrews

Then and Now... Hell Bunker, with two men and a tractor

The Cowie Collection is unique, featuring striking golf images of St Andrews, dating back to the 19th century.

Over the last few months, we have been highlighting classic pictures by today’s photographers.

Now we are delving into the past with some truly historic gems.

Starting in 1930, with a nostalgic look back at one of the most famous hazards in the golfing world – Hell Bunker. This remarkable picture illustrates just how big an obstacle it is; and not the whole of the bunker on the 14th hole is in view.

And no sophisticated machinery on show here, just a tractor and trailer and two men with a rake and shovel. Not sure the greenkeepers of today would want to drive a tractor into such a famous location. The picture alongside shows the more automated approach taken to golf course maintenance now.

To give some perspective, 1930 was a particularly historic year for golf when Bobby Jones completed his single season Grand Slam – winning the Open Championship, the US Open, the British Amateur Championship and the US Amateur Championship.

His British Amateur victory came on the Old Course, which featured an albatross two on the 4th hole, which was then a par five. Needless to say, Hell Bunker did not get in the way of the great man’s ambitions that week.

This remarkable collection, created by freelance press photographer George Cowie (1902-1982), features thousands of photographs taken by himself, his son and early pioneers - John Fairweather, Dr John Hardie Wilson and David MacGregor. It was gifted to the University of St Andrews in 1981.

Image courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library. Image GMC -11-8-2.

Then and Now... Hell Bunker, with two men and a tractor



Then and Now... Hell Bunker, with two men and a tractor

Then and Now... a timeless scene from the Old Course

It’s a sporting amphitheatre that is recognised and revered around the world – the 18th green at St Andrews, with the familiar shape of the R&A Clubhouse looming behind it.

It’s where we have seen the climax of championships like The Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links in recent years with large galleries, grandstands, scoreboards and TV towers. But this unique photograph gives a very different perspective, taking us back 63 years, to 1957.

This is the latest photograph from the historic Cowie Collection.

The collection contains striking golf images of St Andrews, some dating to the 19th century.

Alongside is a current photo of the 18th green which shows physically how little it has changed in those 63 years, but the game of golf was very different then, as were the fashions worn by the gallery and the close proximity of golfers and spectators.

This remarkable collection, created by freelance press photographer George Cowie (1902-1982), features thousands of photographs taken by himself, his son and early pioneers - John Fairweather, Dr John Hardie Wilson and David MacGregor. It was gifted to the University of St Andrews in 1981.

Image courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library. Image GMC -11-15-12.

Then and Now... a timeless scene from the Old Course



Then and Now... a timeless scene from the Old Course

Then and Now... when golf stopped the trains

Trains used to run from Leuchars, on the east coast main line, to St Andrews, until the route was closed in 1969.

The line into the town ran alongside several of the holes on the Old Course and it was not uncommon during important championships for trains to be stationary when golfers were putting.

This remarkable picture from the historic Cowie Collection shows players putting out on the 16th green during the 1936 Amateur Championship, won by Scotland’s Hector Thomson. It captures the wonderful atmosphere of pre-war golf and evokes nostalgic memories.

Alongside it is a picture of what the 16th looks like today now the rail tracks have gone.

There are still some reminders of the line. For example the outline of the old railway shed has been retained at the Old Course Hotel and golfers have to drive over it to reach the 17th fairway.

We are featuring photographs from the historic Cowie Collection on the Alfred Dunhill Links website. The collection contains striking golf images of St Andrews, some dating to the 19th century.

This remarkable collection, created by freelance press photographer George Cowie (1902-1982), features thousands of photographs taken by himself, his son and early pioneers - John Fairweather, Dr John Hardie Wilson and David MacGregor. It was gifted to the University of St Andrews in 1981.

Image courtesy of the University of St Andrews Library. Image GMC-11-9-1.

Then and Now... when golf stopped the trains



Then and Now... when golf stopped the trains