The new captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club blasted into office as the traditional driving-in ceremony took place on the Old Course, St Andrews.
Gavin Caldwell began his year in office with a drive at precisely 8am on Friday, accompanied by the traditional blast of a cannon.
As always a large crowd descended on the first tee of the renowned links to watch the new captain take office, an audience that also included past captain the Duke of York.
Born in Belfast in 1947, Mr Caldwell is only the third Irishman to hold the esteemed position at the helm of one of the sport’s most exclusive institutions.
After hitting his tee shot, Mr Caldwell said he was excited about the forthcoming 12 months.
“This is a great thrill for me,” he said. “This moment has been on my mind since I was asked to be captain.
“I have a wonderful year ahead representing the R&A at many events all around the world.
“It’s important to me to be a good club captain and it is truly an honour to take up this new role.
“I’m looking forward to spending time with the members and participating in events that happen here in St Andrews.”
Educated at St Columba’s College and Trinity College, Dublin, the club’s new captain embarked on a career in investment management.
In 1980, Mr Caldwell was appointed as the founding chief executive of Ulster Bank Investment Managers, the Irish subsidiary of NatWest Group, a role he held until 2003.
He has served on the Amateur Status and Championship Committees of the Royal and Ancient and was a member of the General Committee from 2010-2013.
A part of the traditional driving-in ceremony is the caddie scramble to retrieve the new captain’s ball.
A gold sovereign is then paid by the new captain to buy his golf ball back from the caddie who returns it.
American caddie and author Oliver Horovitz won the race, for a third time, and said: “I’m really excited to receive the sovereign for a third time.
“I think the secret is to try and get as good a view before the captain hits his shot, and more than that I think I’ve just been really lucky.”