This is chump change for someone like Jamie Ortiz-Patinos who is a Pine Valley member and probably the worlds best known collector of golf items. I look for him to come in at the end and place a bid far exceeding anything else.
A rare golf ball has been bought by the owner of one of Europe's top courses for £24,000.
Jamie Ortiz-Patiños, owner of Valderrama in Spain, was the highest bidder for the 200-year-old ball.
The ball was made by Wil Robertson, father of famous golfer Allan Robertson, in 1790.
Made of leather and feathers, it is inscribed with the words: "Presented to Rev. H.M. Lamont by J.W. Inglis C.b, an old student in St. Andrews, 18**."
It had been expected to fetch about £20,000 in the auction at Lyon and Turnbull's sporting sale in Edinburgh.
On the side of the ball it says: "This ball was made by Wil. Robertson, 1790, Father of Allan the famous golfer one of the early members of St Andrews Golf Club."
Titus Kendal, Mr Ortiz-Patiños' London-based dealer, said: "My client wanted the golf ball for his collection because of its age and unusual history, along with its links with golfer Allan Robertson."
David Hall, golf specialist at Lyon and Turnbull, said there are very few examples of 18th century golf balls in existence.
The ball's American vendor Frank Hardison bought the ball from one of the famous golfing families of St Andrews, the Kerr's, in the early 1960s.