RETIRED BUSINESSMAN Hamish M. J. Ritchie was last night nominated as the new captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews for 2008-09.

The announcement came during the club’s spring business meeting held in the Scores Hotel, which was attended by R&A members from all over the world who are in St Andrews for the club’s four-day medal meeting, which concludes today.

The decision was made by the past captains of the club, who traditionally nominate the new captain each year.

Mr Ritchie joined the club in 1974 and served as a member of the general committee from 1994-98.

Born in Milngavie, near Glasgow, he was educated at Loretto School, Musselburgh, and Christ Church College, Oxford.

He was an Oxford blue and held the captaincy of Oxford University Golf Club from 1964-65.

Also a member of the Oxford and Cambridge Golfing Society, he served as captain from 1994-96.

Mr Ritchie was appointed captain of his home club, Denham Golf Club, in 1993 and was chairman there from 2000-04.

An insurance broker, he began his career with Hogg Robinson where he worked for 16 years.

He moved to Marsh Ltd in 1981 and became chairman of Marsh and McLennan Companies (UK) in 2000, a role he undertook until 2004.

Now retired and living in Buckinghamshire, he is married to Carol and the couple have two grown-up children.

Mr Ritchie is also a member of Rye Golf Club, Chechessee Creek Golf Club and the Duke’s Golf Club, and plays to a handicap of 11.

He is also a member of the MCC.

He will succeed the retired businessman and prominent golf administrator David J. Harrison as captain.

He will officially play himself into office during the club’s autumn medal meeting on September 18 over the Old Course, when he will drive off the first ball on the final day of the competition.