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Fraserburgh Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. (1777 – 1891)

The first record of golf being played at Faserburgh was in 1613. A young man by the name John Burnett attended court and was charged with playing golf on Sunday instead of going to church.

The Fraserburgh Golf Club have original documents stating that the club was founded on the 14th April 1777. Copies of these early documents can be seen on the club website.

The club moved to its current location at Philorth Links in 1891.

Early mentions of the golf club in the 1700s.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Monday 11 May 1789. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Monday 4 April 1791. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition played in September 1882.

Banffshire Journal Tuesday 19 September 1882. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in October 1882.

Peterhead Sentinel and General Advertiser for Buchan District Wednesday 11 October 1882. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Aberdeen Express Friday 5 January 1883 – “Fraserburgh Golf Club – The members of the Fraserburgh Golf Club, having obtained the consent of the of the Town Council for its erection, are just now putting up a wooden house on the Links, near the Free Church. The Golf House will contain all the implements of the members and other conveniences, and will add much to the comforts of the golfers. The house is very neatly fitted up, and reflects credit upon the members of the Club for the enterprise.”

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1860/70s showing the Free Church. The Golf House was erected near here in 1883.

O.S. Map Revised 1869; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1874).

Result of the monthly scratch medal played in January 1883; Walter Flett, 97; George Downie, 103; Andrew McNabb, 103; Thomas Black, 103; Peter Noble, 105; A Noble, 107.

Result of a match against Inverallochy in March 1883.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Monday 26 March 1883. Public domain.

Report on the annual meeting in October 1883.

Aberdeen Free Press Wednesday 17 October 1883. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Match played at St Combs in October 1883.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Friday 2 November 1883. Public domain.

The annual meeting was held in October 1884 when the following officers were elected; Captain, Thomas Park; Vice-captain, F R Murray; Secretary, J R Farquharson; Treasurer, R Buchan; Council; P Noble, W Noble, W Flett, G Downie, A Noble snr., and J Stevenson.

Report on the annual meeting in October 1885.

Aberdeen Free Press Saturday 17 October 1885. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match against Rosehearty in November 1886.

Buchan Observer and East Aberdeenshire Advertiser Tuesday 9 November 1886. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in November 1887.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Wednesday 9 November1887. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in November 1889.

Aberdeen Free Press Friday 22 November 1889. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Peterhead Sentinel and General Advertiser for Buchan District Tuesday 16 December 1890. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Buchan Observer Thursday 15 January 1891; “Golf Club – Handsome Grant by Lord Saltoun – Lord Saltoun has, in answer to a deputation from the Fraserburgh Golf Club, consisting of Mr James Mitchell, fishcurer; Mr J Reiach, banker; Mr J Cranna jun., harbour treasurer, granted a new course to the club. When completed the course will be one of the finest in the north of Scotland.”

 Result of a match played over the new Philorth course in May 1891.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Tuesday 5 May 1891. Public domain.

The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the Free Church near Mid Street, site of the Golf House in 1883.