As members of Royal Eastbourne assemble for their annual pow-wow they will turn a page of history.

They will formally approve the nomination of Richard Wooller, who was their club professional before retiring last year, as vice-captain and, therefore, captain-elect for 2005.

Such instances are rare in golf. Only two immediately come to mind. Bernard Gallacher, the former Ryder Cup captain being accorded the honour at Wentworth and Bernard Hunt, who also represented England, being similarly chosen at Foxhills.

There are no doubt others but it is rare, to say the least, for a professional to cross the threshold from shop to committee chair and captain's blazer and particularly at such a famous club as The Royal who can number a former prime minister and more than a smattering of blue bloods among its top brass.

It says a great deal for those who guide The Royal's fortunes that they have chosen to move with the times and not remained hidebound. At tonight's annual meeting Jim Wilson will be installed as captain and duly drives-in on Sunday.

Without knowing Mr Wilson, I take it that he had much to do with proposing Richard Wooller as his vice-captain in the knowledge that The Royal's 1,000 members will say aye.

As for Richard his feelings can be well imagined. Last year he was made an honorary member which, he says, was "honour enough." Richard is no stranger to office. He is a former captain of the Sussex PGU and chairman of that body. Known for his wise counsel, he brings to the debating chamber all the good sense of an experienced and much-travelled golfer and gentleman.

Born and bred in Eastbourne, Richard has served both The Downs and The Royal and hails from a famous golfing family, none of whom in their wildest dreams could have envisaged becoming captain of either club. Richard's dad, Frank, who became pro at The Downs, was one of seven brothers who all caddied and were single figure or scratch golfers.

So really Richard hailed from artisan stock harking back to the Victorian era when prime minster Arthur Balfour was captain at The Royal and the members' list read like a page out of Debrett's. The first captain of this oldest of Sussex clubs was a full-blown marquis and a few years later came the great Horace Hutchinson who was just about the best player anywhere in his day. At least a dozen of the captains have been regular officers, another dozen schoolmasters plus four clergymen and nine bankers throw in for good measure.

The public school bond was taken as read while Richard's forebears regarded it as perfectly natural to doff caps to the gentry while humping and cleaning their clubs.

Richard was destined for a golfing career and started at Seaford in 1961 as an assistant to Joe Baker. He stayed three years and then did something unusual. He took a job as assistant to George Deverell at Djursholm in Stockholm. Travel indeed broadened the mind and Richard gained such a good reputation that he was offered his first post in charge at Wermdo, also in Stockholm.

The important difference was that Wermdo was a golf and country club and Richard stayed ten years. When dad retired from The Downs in 1975 Richard took over and stayed until 1985 when he was appointed to The Royal.

In that time he gained a matchless reputation as a teacher and coached the county under-16s and more recently captained the club's Davies & Tate scratch team. Nowadays he plays at least four times a week and is among the contenders for runners-up spot in the Sussex PGU Mastercolour League.

The Royal is one of few Sussex clubs with a waiting list. I can see why. The traditions going back to 1887 are still revered but the club is fully aware that this is the 21st century and nothing will do but the best man for the job when it comes to electing a captain.

The 2006 Ryder Cup, to be played at The K Club in Ireland, will take place from September 22-24.

The Gaelic Athletic Association has agreed to switch the date of the GAA Grand Final, which is normally played on that weekend at Croke Park, Dublin.