If you’re looking for proof that golf in St Andrews is more religion than sport, look no further than the St Andrews Town Match.

On Saturday, the world’s largest one-day amateur golf event celebrated its 100th edition in style, with a record 916 players storming the Old, New, Jubilee and Strathtyrum courses from dawn until dusk.

First played in 1913, the Town Match pits members of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club against the golfing faithful of the town in a foursomes handicap matchplay format. It’s local pride dressed up in plus-fours and tee-times, and this year’s staging made history with more players teeing it up than ever before.

A Dawn-to-Dusk Golf Marathon

From the first ball struck at 6:40 a.m. until the final putt holed in fading light, St Andrews pulsed with the sound of drives, chips, and the occasional muttered expletive. In all, 229 matches rattled across the Links.

By the time the tally was done, the Club edged the Town 122½ to 106½, with Captain Ian Pattinson hoisting the Bobby Jones Casket in front of the Clubhouse.

The result mattered, of course—but in St Andrews, the real winner is always the game itself.

“The Town Match Embodies the Community Spirit”

For those who’ve lived it year after year, the Town Match isn’t just a fixture—it’s a way of life. David Sandford, who has played every year since 1996, knows the rhythm by heart. “The Town Match embodies the community spirit of St Andrews,” said David. “In the early years, it was basically a match played over the Old Course. Now it has expanded and developed with every year more people playing.

“It’s an exceptional golf event being the largest single day golf match in the world and this year members of the Club and players from local golf clubs again competed, including staff from The R&A and students from the University of St Andrews.

“It’s a great social event too with players visiting their opponents’ clubs for food or drinks afterwards. The whole town and the local clubs enjoy the occasion.

Over the years, players have even travelled from America solely to play in the Town Match. The clubs are most grateful to St Andrews Links Trust for reserving the times on the four courses which makes this memorable event possible.”

That mixture of competition and camaraderie is what keeps golfers coming back. Bag tags commemorating the 100th playing were handed to every participant—a small memento for a very large day.

Legends and Hickories

Of the 229 foursomes matches, 67 unfolded on the Old, 69 on the New, 68 on the Jubilee and 25 on the Strathtyrum. The history woven into those fairways attracts legends, too.

In recent years, 1985 Champion Golfer of the Year Sandy Lyle turned heads by winning his match on the Old Course armed only with hickory clubs—and carding an eye-watering 68.

A Century Strong, Future Bright

The St Andrews Town Match is more than a golf event—it’s the annual handshake between The R&A and the town, played out on sacred turf.

From students to seasoned club stalwarts, from local heroes to transatlantic pilgrims, the century-old contest continues to grow in numbers and stature.

And if 916 golfers can squeeze onto four courses in a single day, don’t bet against 1,000 making the walk for the 101st.

A short video of Saturday’s Town Match is available on The R&A’s LinkedIn channel.