The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is pleased to announce that Jim Farmer has accepted the Club’s invitation to become its Honorary Professional following the retirement of John Panton after 17 years in the position.
"We are delighted that Jim Farmer has become the Club’s Honorary Professional. Jim’s reputation as a player, team captain, teacher and administrator is second to none and his lifelong experience of St Andrews will be invaluable. John Panton fulfilled the role with great distinction and we wish him well in his retirement," said Peter Dawson, Secretary of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
Farmer follows a distinguished line of Honorary Professionals to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club, Andrew Kirkaldy, Willie Auchterlonie, his son Laurie Auchterlonie and more recently John Panton.
Panton, who will be 90 in October, turned professional in 1935 and was the club professional to Glenbervie Golf Club from 1946 until his retirement in 1984. He was appointed Honorary Professional to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club in September 1988 following the death of Laurie Auchterlonie in August 1987.
Among Panton’s many achievements in an outstanding playing career, he was a member of the Ryder Cup teams of 1951, 1953 and 1961 and captured the World Seniors’ title in 1967 when he defeated Sam Snead 3/2 in the final.
He also represented Scotland in the World Cup 12 times between 1955 and 1968 and won the Scottish Professional Championship on eight occasions.
Jim Farmer, like Panton, played most of his golf on the Scottish professional circuit after leaving the amateur ranks in 1971 following international honours in the Home Internationals.
He was born in St Andrews in November 1948 and developed a highly successful career, both as a player and a club professional at Drumpellier and Duddingston and since 1987 has managed his own business, Jim Farmer Golf, in Market Street, St Andrews.
Highlights of his playing career were his wins in the 1978 Northern Open, the 1983 Glenmuir Club Professional Championship and his sequence of finishing first in seven successive years between 1977 and 1983 on the money list of the Scottish professional circuit. He also gained representative honours in being selected for four PGA Cup matches against the U.S. and is particularly proud of the 1977 match in Palm Springs when the GB&I team became the first not to be beaten on U.S. soil. Last year he was captain of the side that defeated America at the K Club, Ireland. He is currently in his eighth year on the board of the PGA.
"I am absolutely delighted to have been appointed Honorary Professional to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews," Farmer said on his appointment.
"When I look at the list of my predecessors, I realise what an honour it is to be considered for the position."
Contact:
Peter Dawson
Secretary
The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
Tel: 01334 460000
