Keith Macintosh, the former Scottish Amateur champion from Cardross, has been appointed captain of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club.

Macintosh, a regular in the Scotland national team during his amateur pomp and a member of the GB&I side which won the 1980 St Andrews Trophy, will begin his year in office with the traditional driving-in ceremony on the first tee of the Old Course on Friday September 23.

Meanwhile, Sir Bob Charles, the popular left-hander from New Zealand who won the Open at Royal Lytham in 1963, has be made an honorary member of the R&A.

“Winning the Open was a tremendous part of my career and I have always had a huge affinity for the championship and the wonderful links courses on which it is played,” said Charles. “The club is at the heart of golf in St Andrews and it is a privilege to follow so many other great champions in becoming part of its history.”