Dowling, who was nominated by the past captains of the R&A, took up the role with the traditional driving-in ceremony on the opening tee of the historic Old Course.
As is tradition, the St Andrews Links caddies then raced to collect the ball, with the winner being presented with a gold coin by the new captain.
“It’s the most terrifying experience I think I’ve ever had in my life,” she joked after her tee shot. “But this is fantastic that so many people have turned up and it’s just an amazing moment. It’s historic.
“It’s such a huge honor to be invited to be invited to be captain, and I just can’t believe I’m doing it. To be the first woman to be captain is quite extraordinary.”
Born in Dublin, Dowling enjoyed a distinguished amateur career. A four-time Curtis Cup player, she is no stranger to making history, having helped the 1986 Great Britain & Ireland team to their first victory on American soil with a 13-5 win at Prairie Dunes.
She also represented Ireland in the Home Internationals from 1979 to 1992 as well as playing in six European Team Championships, the Espirito Santo Trophy on two occasions, and the Vagliano Trophy six times. Dowling went on to captain the Curtis Cup, Vagliano Trophy and Home International teams.
Individually, Dowling won five Irish Championships, the Ladies British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship, and the Spanish Amateur Championship.
Off the course, Dowling has chaired England Golf’s Handicap and Course Rating Committee, and sat on the CONGU board for four years, and was an advisory member of The R&A Amateur Status Committee.
She was one of the first women to become a member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club when she joined in 2015, and served on the Rules Committee until 2019, as well as the Deputy Chair in 2017. She was elected to the General Committee in 2019 and became Deputy Chair in 2022. She currently serves on the Membership Committee.
Dowling has also acted as a referee at The Open on seven occasions, including in 2021 at Royal St George’s alongside her husband, Peter, to make them the first married couple to officiate at the same Championship.
Dowling is an honorary life member of the Irish Ladies Golf Union, as well as a number of golf clubs including Portmarnock, Copt Heath, Woodbrook and Cork. She is a member of East Devon, near where she lives, and plays off 8.