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Burghead & Duffus Golf Club, Elgin, Moray. (1896 - WW2)

Founded in 1896.

The original course was located between the Elgin and Forres Roads. This course proved unsuitable for golf and the club approached Mr Mackessack, and were successful in getting the Clarkley Hill site.

The later 9-hole course on Clarkley Hill measured 1800 yards. From the Hill Hole a view of seven counties could be had. There was a small clubhouse and the station at Burghead was 10 minutes away. Local hotels were the Commercial and the Station.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Clarkey Hill Course. Report on the new golf course in April 1896.

Banffshire Advertiser Thursday 16 April 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Clarkey Hill Course. Report on the first game over the new course in April 1896.

Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express Saturday 18 April 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

In May 1896 a beautiful silver bowl was presented for competition to the club by Mr H W Young of Burghead. The cup was inscribed “Presented by Hugh W Young, of Burghead, to the Burghead Golf Club”.

Below is a report on the first competition played in October 1896.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin, Moray. A report on the first competition in October 1896.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Tuesday 6 October 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

In June 1898 the new course on Clarkey Hill was opened, and to celebrate this a match was arranged with teams selected by the captain and vice captain.

Fund raising in March 1899.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin. Fund raising event in March 1899.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin. Fund raising event in March 1899.

Forres Elgin and Nairn Gazette, Northern Review and Advertiser Wednesday 8 March 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

On Saturday 14 October 1899 the qualifying round was held for the Silver Bowl, presented by Mr H W Young of Burghead. With ideal conditions for golf some good scores were returned; First, J Findlay, then J Jenkins, George Grant, A Hendry, D Beaton. Other prizes, gold medal was won by G King, the silver medal winner was J F Beatton. Mr Hendry, club captain, presented the prizes, and thanks were passed on to Mrs Hendry and Mrs Beatton who served tea to the competitors in the clubhouse during the afternoon.

 

  Secretary Professional/greenkeeper
1906-1914 John Graham, Bank House, Burghead  
1905-1911   William Sinclair (p)
1911-14   P Pirrie (g/p)
1920-40 R Lyon, 37 Granary Street, Burghead  

Result of the monthly prize for the junior members played on Saturday 21 June 1901; Edward Beatton, 65 scratch; James Mann, 78-10-68; Geo Grant, 79-10-69; Miss Maude Beatton won the ladies’ section with a score of 109 scratch; Mr J F Beatton won the gents medal with 103-18-85. 

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin. Matches played in March 1903.

Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express Saturday 28 March 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Burghead & Duffus Golf Club, Elgin, Moray.Players on the course.

Above is an early 1900s Valentines Series postcard showing the Burghead course.

 

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Membership of 40; Hon. secretary - J Graham, Caledonian Bank, Burghead; Captain, W D Jenkins; Entrance fee nil and subs 5 shillings (juniors 2s/6d); Green-keeper, William Sinclair; Fixtures - Silver Bowl Competition (14th September,) holder George Grant. Monthly medals for ladies and gentlemen; Terms for visitors - 6d a day, 1s/6d a week, 5s a month.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the clubhouse and golf course.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin. O.S Map sowing the clubhouse and course.

O.S. Map Revised 1904; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1906}.

 

In 1906 the amateur course record was held by James Jenkins with a score of 34.

The ladies’ monthly competition was played on Saturday 3 June 1911 and was won by Mrs Macpherson with a score of 73-24-49.

Result of a match played at Burghead against Hopeman Golf Club on Friday 16 June 1911. 

Hopeman Golf Club   Burghead Golf Club  
A Taylor 0 A G Campbell 1
John Manson 0 Dr Munro 1
C J McRae 0 W F Cawood 1
G Grant 1 W H Havers 0
John Davidson 1 J F Thomson 0
W Sandison 1 A McKay 0
H Fraser 1 A Manson 0
John Christie 1 J S George 0
A S Cumming 1 J Cameron 0
W Collins 0 J D Dickie 1
  6   4

A mixed foursome was played on New Year’s Day 1913, result; Miss J Corbett and A J Taylor, 105; Mrs Baird and H Jenkins, 106; Miss E M Corbett and W Edgar, 108; Mrs Forbes and H W Y Taylor, 110; Miss Sinclair and John Mason, 110; Miss Purves and James Jenkins, 114; Miss Ritchie and A S Cumming, 115; Miss E Woodside and J Sandison, 117; Miss Corbett and James Hay, 122; Miss McHardy and Dr Stephen, 125.

The annual gentlemen’s competition was held in fine weather on Saturday 19 April 1913, result as follows; R Lyon, 95-16-79; J Christie, 86-6-80; Felix Brown, 91-8-83; W Sandison, 92-9-83; W Edgar, 97-14-83; John McRae, 102-18-84; H Jenkins, 84 scratch; Sergeant Croll 103-18-85; John Davidson, 97-11-86; A S Cumming, 97-11-86. Provost Gordon, president of the club, presented the prizes. The first eight qualified for Mr H W Young’s silver cup. 

Match played against Forres Golf Club in May 1913.

Burghead Golf Club   Forres Golf Club  
J T Jenkins 1 G W Asher 0
H Jenkins 1 T Stewart 0
Dr. Munro 1 G Strachan 0
A G Campbell 1 J Strachan 0
Captain Taylor 1 C M Fraser 0
Dr. Stephen 1 M Walsh 0
J Christie 1 J Cant 0
A S Cumming 1 A Souter  0
W Sandieson 1 W French 0
George Grant 0 W Thompson 1
D Baird 0 J Mavor 1
Sergeant Croll 1 Joseph Taylor 0
  10   2

In 1914 club membership was 59. There was no entry fee. Subs were 5/- for seniors and juniors 2/6d. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 2/6d a week and 5/- a month.

Below is a report on the annual business meeting held in January 1916.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin, Moray. A report on the annual meeting 1916.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Wednesday 2 February 1916. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The winner of the monthly medal for August 1923 was William Edgar with a score of 80.

The opening competition for the season was held in May 1928, prize winners; John Stewart, William Mayor, Ross Davidson, Robert Ross, W G Edgar and Geo McKenzie. The monthly medal was won by Mr Turnbull with a score of 78net.

In June 1928 Gordon Grant won the Young Cup he also took the monthly medal with a score of 70net.

It was reported in June 1936 that for the fourth time in succession Burghead Golf Club had recorded a win over the Hopeman Golf Club. The latest match was played on the Hopeman course with the visitors winning by ten matches to seven.

 

Burghead and Duffus Golf Club, Elgin, Moray. Trophy winners in 1936.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal 25 January 1937. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

At the annual general meeting held February 1938 the following officers were elected; President, William Mavor; vice-president, Mrs Mavor; captain, Alex Mackenzie; vice-captain, Geo Anderson; secretary, William M Maclean; assistant secretary, Duncan Mackenzie; treasurer, R Turnbull.

Below is the result of a match played at Burghead against Hopeman in June 1938.

Burghead Golf Club   Hopeman Golf Club  
W G McDonald 1 S McKenzie 0
Alex Mackenzie 0 G Scott 1
Roy Burgess 0 J McKenzie 1
George Anderson 0 B Sangster 1
John Ross 0 R Corsie 1
George McKenzie 0 R Davidson 1
George Mackenzie 1 D Campbell 0
William Mavor 1 G McKenzie 0
George Laing 1 W Main 0
William N Maclean 1 J Ralph 0
Joe Mackenzie 1 A McPherson 0
Tom Davidson 0 W Reid 1
Duncan Mackenzie 1 I Adam 0
James Mackenzie (half) 0 M Hay (half) 0
John Ross 0 D More 1
  7   7

The following officers were appointed in February 1939; President, William Mavor; vice-president, W G McDonald; captain, A McKenzie; vice-captain, Geo Anderson; secretary, William Maclean; treasurer, R Turnbull.

From 1922 to the club’s final year in 1940, membership fluctuated between 60 and 90. The amateur course record was held by James Jenkins with a score of 33. Visitors’ fees in the later years were 1/- a day, 3/6d a week, 7/- a fortnight and 10/- a month. Sunday play was not allowed.

 

Burghead & Duffus Golf Club, Elgin, Moray. Location of the former course.

Burghead, course location. Grid reference NJ12580 68275, co-ordinates 312580 868275.