The tradition of fair play on the fairways will be upheld today as genteel golfers stretch their legs on one of Scotland’s oldest courses.
Around 100 immaculately dressed golfers have converged on Angus to take part in the World Hickory Open, which celebrates the evolution of a game that took the world by storm.
Players will use hickory-shafted golf clubs from the 1900s to compete on the Montrose Medal course at Montrose Links, and will dress in period golfing outfits.
An early group took part in a vintage Stableford game to warm up over the Ashludie course at Monifieth.
Co-founder and director of the World Hickory Open, Lionel Freedman, said the ninth annual tourney will emphasise the centuries-old history of golf.
He added: “For spectators and golfers alike, it adds a very special element to the tournament to know that the competitors’ golf clubs and outfits are very similar to those of the golfers who played here a century ago and beyond.”
This is the second consecutive year the World Hickory Open has been held on one of Carnoustie Country’s 30 golf courses, which are within a 40-minute drive of Carnoustie Championship.
Angus Provost Helen Oswald welcomed the game’s top names to Angus, around which the Carnoustie Country sporting brand is based.
“High calibre, international events such as the World Hickory Open put Carnoustie Country’s courses on the map, increasing our profile with golfers all over the world while also showcasing Carnoustie Country’s rich golfing heritage,” she said.
Mr Freedman added that the opportunity to play hickory golf in an area of Scotland steeped in golfing traditions had enticed golfers from across the globe.
He added: “Many of the world’s top hickory golfers will be competing, including 14 golf professionals, and we also have our highest number of lady entrants.
“This is always an incredibly competitive tournament and with such a strong field, this year I suspect it will be especially so.”
Lionel revealed that the current favourites include defending champion Rick Valentine, Swiss golf professional Paolo Quirici, hickory golf specialist Andrew Marshall and several times National Hickory Champion of America, Mike Stevens.
Rick’s grandmother, Jessie Valentine, was one of Britain’s top lady golfers between the 1930s and 1950s.
“Playing in last year’s World Hickory Open was a real treat,” said Mr Stevens.
“The courses we played on in 2012 Monifieth Medal and Carnoustie Burnside were fabulous and I can’t say enough about how Carnoustie Country welcomed us to the event.
“I’m really looking forward to participating in this year’s World Hickory Open. I had the pleasure of playing Montrose last year and just thinking about golf being played there for more than 450 years is really cool.”