From an oil painting by Sir Francis Grant PRA 1803-78
John Whyte-Melville of Bennochy and Strathkinness near St Andrews was a member of the R&A for 67 years. He was still playing 36 holes in a December gale at the age of 83. He joined in 1816 when he was 19, was captain in 1823 and was nominated for the captaincy again 60 years later but died before he could take office. Meantime his son George, a Victorian novelist, had been captain in 1851. The portrait has the St Andrews backdrop with the Swilken Bridge visible at the right hand side. In his hand he holds his driving putter.
He was a noted "waggler" when addressing the ball; his caddy was the grandfather of Sandy Herd another golfer famed for this approach.
Whyte-Melville gave the silver putter to the R&A on which the club's gold medals are attached. This was the result of a wager in 1820 with Sir David Moncreiffe on who would live longer. The survivor was to present the putter with the arms of both men engraved upon it. The task fell to Whyte-Melville who outlived his friend by fifty years.
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