Work begins on new R&A global headquarters

Construction has officially started on the R&A’s new global headquarters in St Andrews, with the state-of-the-art facility set to open in 2026.

The four-storey building, designed to be the central hub for golf's governing body, is scheduled for completion ahead of the Open Championship at the Old Course in 2027. The new headquarters will consolidate R&A staff, currently spread across five offices, bringing them together under one roof.

The ceremonial groundbreaking at the St Andrews West site was led by David Rickman, MBE, who oversaw the project's planning before retiring last October after 37 years in golf administration.

In a tribute to the sport’s heritage, Rickman used a special hole cutter from the 1890s, on loan from the R&A’s World Golf Museum, to symbolically turn the first sod.

The ceremonial tool — a ‘Bogey’ hole cutter — reflects golf’s historical lexicon. The term ‘bogey’ originated in the early 1890s, denoting the score a skilled amateur should achieve on a hole, while ‘par’ became the benchmark for professional and championship-level players.

Designed with sustainability in mind, the headquarters will feature collaborative workspaces, meeting rooms, and cafe facilities.

The new headquarters is part of the larger St Andrews West development, which also houses the new Madras College and includes areas designated for university expansion, employment opportunities, and accommodation options.

New R&A Chief Executive, Mark Dabon, described the groundbreaking as “an important milestone” for the organisation.

“We are building a space that embodies the R&A’s role, heritage, and global mission. Our new headquarters will not only support the wellbeing and collaboration of our staff but also stand as a symbol of our commitment to St Andrews,” he said. “It will be a technologically advanced, sustainable environment, positioning us to ensure the future of golf thrives for generations to come.”

Situated close to the iconic Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, the new facility will engage with the local community throughout its construction. In partnership with the main contractor, McLaughlin & Harvey, the R&A will roll out various social initiatives, including educational programs on sustainability for primary schools, local employment opportunities, community volunteering, and a construction work academy in collaboration with Madras College.

Robbie Clark, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said, “Our team is committed to working collaboratively with the R&A and the wider project team to deliver a facility that not only meets the highest standards of sustainable design, but also provides a first-class environment for the R&A’s staff and visitors for decades to come.”

As construction progresses, anticipation is building for The Open Championship’s return to St Andrews in 2027. The 155th Championship will be played over the Old Course from July 11-18, marking the 31st time the historic venue has hosted the event.

The Old Course at St Andrews, the home of golf, first hosted The Open in 1873, when the 13th Championship was played over an 18-hole course for the first time and was won by Tom Kidd. Since then, the Old Course has staged The Open on 30 occasions, most recently in 2022, when Cameron Smith produced a final-round 64 to lift the famous Claret Jug.

Image by Madeleine Rea.