The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Golf legend ‘delighted’ at St Andrews honour
US golfing legend Jack Nicklaus has accepted an offer to become an honorary citizen of the Royal Burgh of St Andrews, The Courier can exclusively reveal.
The two-times St Andrews Open champion, fondly known as the Golden Bear, has said he would be “deeply honoured and delighted” to accept the highest honour the “Home of Golf ” can bestow.
It is expected the 18-times major winner will be presented with the honour at a civic ceremony in St Andrews during the week of the 150th Open Championship in July.
The award will come 17 years after Nicklaus called time on his glittering competitive career at the 2005 Open championship in St Andrews.
It will also make amends for an “embarrassing episode” involving St Andrews Community Council ahead of the 2005 Open when a motion to make Nicklaus an honorary citizen of St Andrews failed to secure the backing of enough numbers on the council and was defeated.
St Andrews plumbing and heating engineer John Devlin, 64, told The Courier he was delighted Nicklaus had accepted the offer, which now has the support of St Andrews Community Council, Fife Council, St Andrews University, golf clubs and the R&A.
Mr Devlin, a past captain, trustee, life member and president of St Andrews Golf Club, first approached St Andrews Fife councillor Ann Verner about the prestigious distinction three years ago.
She agreed with him this would be a “great thing” to resurrect ahead of the 150th Open.
With the unanimous backing of the community council secured, the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic led to the postponement of the 150th Open for a year.
This resulted in an approach to Nicklaus being delayed.
More recently, however, the Provost of St Andrews Community Council, Gregory Newman, wrote a letter to Nicklaus, on behalf of the council and the people of the town, making the offer be known.
In his letter to Nicklaus, Mr Newman said: “Were you to accept this invitation, we, in conjunction with the local golf clubs of St Andrews, would arrange a suitable civic ceremony during the week of the Open, at a time convenient to yourself, for distinguished invited guests and, importantly, members of the general public.
“This would be followed by a procession through the town, accompanied by pipes and drums, and a reception.”
In a reply received in December, Nicklaus said: “Thank you for your very kind letter and invitation.
“I am deeply honoured and would be delighted to accept.”
Mr Devlin told The Courier he was delighted with the response.
“In the modern era of golf I think Nicklaus is up there at the very top,” he said.
“St Andrews very rarely does this kind of honour. I know some will say Tiger Woods, also a two-times St Andrews Open champion, deserves it. Maybe that’s one for the future.
“But there’s Nicklaus’ connection with St Andrews. He’s twice St Andrews Open champion.
“It’s also the 150th anniversary of the playing of the Open and this is the Home of Golf.
“I think the Home of Golf should be doing something special.”
A St Andrews University spokesman said: “Mr Nicklaus is already an honorary graduate of the university, and we were delighted to lend our support to the efforts of the town to honour him.”
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