Caird Park Municipal Golf Courses, Dundee. (1920

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Caird Park Municipal Golf Courses, Dundee. (1920 – 2025)

The original 18-hole and 9-hole courses were laid out in Caird Park in December 1920.

In the 1980s two new nine-hole courses were added called the Red and the Yellow.

In 1996 the nine-hole courses were amalgamated and the Red Course was abandoned. A spokesperson for the city council said at the time “The two nine-hole courses have been amalgamated into one better nine-hole course. The rest of the area is not being maintained and is being left as open space, as the council does not have the funds for anything else.”

Dundee’s last remaining public golf course at Caird Park closed on Wednesday 30 April 2025. It was met with much sadness by club members being described as “a way of life”. Cairdy would never be forgotten.

Several clubs were formed to take advantage of the municipal course. Among the earlier ones were Baldovan, Maryfield and Caird Park Golf Club.

Report on the new golf new course in 1920.

Dundee Courier Thursday 9 December 1920. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The involvement of H S Colt in August 1921.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 30 August 1921. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Newspapers). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Update on the progress in March 1922.

Dundee Courier Thursday 23 March 1922. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the course in August 1923.

Dundee Courier Thursday 30 August 1923. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the Dundee Courier Tuesday 23 October 1923 – “NAMING GREENS AT CAIRD PARK – Dundee Town Council last night approved of the following names for the greens of the Caird Park Golf Course; Caird, Bonnie, Dundee, Sidlaw, Long, Gellyburn, Neuk, Mains, Short, Marryat, Quarry, Kirkton, Trottick, Varsity, Claverhouse, Castle, Den, Kerry’s Knowe and Home. The names have yet to be applied to the greens for which they are most suitable.”

Report and pictures of the opening of the course in November 1923.

Mrs Marryat driving off the first ball at the opening of the Caird Park Golf Course, Mr D A Anderson by her side.

R T Myles, J R Hosie, A Mann and J Grdon Simpson, who played the first round over the Caird Course.

On the first hole.

Dundee Courier Monday 5 November 1923. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The final for the Caird Park golf championship (Reid Trophy) took place in June 1925 when A Doig defeated A N Bryce by 4 and 2.

Public Club formed in 1926.

Dundee Courier Thursday 1 April 1926. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Playing in the championship of the Maryfield Golf Club over the Caird Park course in May 1927 D I Kerr broke his own course record of 75 with a 72. He was playing with J P Norwell. Scores; Out -5,5,4,4,4,5,3,4,3 = 37; Home – 5,4,3,4,3,4,5,3,4 = 35.

Arbroath Herald Friday 3 June 1927 – “Tom Hay, a well known Dundee golfer who has had a big connection with Elliot golf, has been given the duties of professional coach at the Caird Park courses. For the past two years he has been captain of the Caird Park Club.

From the 1928 Golfer’s Handbook; Caird Park Public Course; Superintendent- A Macrae, 93 Commercial Street, Dundee; Green-keeper, W Dickson; Amateur course record; T Currie, 78; 18 and 9 hole courses; No Sunday play. Maryfield Golf Club; Plays over the Caird Park Golf Course; Membership 110; Secretary – G Knowles, “Hamewith” 51 Mains Lane, Dundee.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 19 March 1929. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Monday 17 June 1929. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Playing in a stroke competition over the Caird Park course in April 1933 J R F Forbes holed in one at seventeenth. His partner was D McLean holder of the Coronation Cup.

Golfer’s Handbook 1933; Supt.; A Macrae, 93 Commercial Street, Dundee; Professional, T Hay; Green-keeper, W Dickson; Course records; Amateur; Rev H Andrew, 72; Professional, T Hay 71; 18 and 9-hole courses; No Sunday play. Maryfield Golf Club; Membership 110; Hon. secretary – A S G Thomson, 73 Mains Drive, Dundee.

Dundee Courier Monday 15 May 1933. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Thursday 9 November 1933. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Thursday 7 November 1935. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Evening Telegraph Saturday 4 July 1936. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1937; Supt.; A Macrae, 8 City Square, Dundee; Professional, T Hay; Green-keeper, W Dickson; Course records; E F Milne, 69; Professional, T Hay, 71; Fees 9d a round; No Sunday play.

Maryfield Golf Club; Membership 130; Hon. secretary – A S G Thomson, 113 Pitkerro Road, Dundee.

Dundee Evening Telegraph Tuesday 4 May 1937 – “GENIAL STARTER – Not even golf language can disturb the equanimity of Mr Joseph Hepburn the genial starter at Caird Park Golf Course. Since taking this job over 13 years ago Joe has won admiration of old and young players alike by his fairness to all. His cheery disposition has also stood him in good stead.

Dundee Courier Thursday 11 November 1937. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1938 the 40 year old professional at the Crawford Golf Club, John Manuel, left to take up the position of foreman at Caird Park. He had been at Crawford Golf Club as professional and head green-keeper for twelve years. He held the professional course record of 69. He started his career at Dunblane as a gardener and went on to help with the construction of the Dunblane golf course. He was married with two daughters.

Dundee Courier Friday 7 October 1938. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Thursday 8 December 1938. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Thursday 2 November 1939. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 12 March 1940. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In August 1942 a competition was held on behalf of the Royal Infirmary, there were 125 entrants; Best scratch score; Daniel White, 75; Section 1 – Scratch; D Allan, 76; Handicap – A Roger (10) 67; D Brodie (8) 71; C H Robertson (9) 72; Section 2 – Scratch; W K Crow, 80; Handicap; E Sheridan (12) 72; J Peebles (16) 72; R N Boreland (16) 72; Section 3 – Scratch; J Shand, 83; Handicap; E A Clark (21) 65; H Kelly (18) 66; D Lowe (18) 68; Section 4 – Scratch; F Cunningham, 93; Handicap; A J Bisset (24) 71; J Kelly (24) 71; James Thompson (24) 72.

Ordnance Survey Map from the time of WW2 showing the Golf Course and Club House.

O.S. Map Revised 1938; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1947}.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting in the Roal Hotel in January 1946; Captain, J Smith; Vice-captain, T Davidson; Secretary, A McIntosh; Treasurer, D Beedie; Committee – R M Greig, H Brown, B Nicoll, J Murray, R Wood, J Morrison, W Knight, C Barnett; Auditors R G Hunt and W Moonie.

Dundee Evening Telegraph Thursday 28 November 1946. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1947 - 1951; Supt.: R A Brown, 8 City Square, Dundee; Green-keeper, J Manuel; Course records; Amateur; E F Milne, 69; Professional; T Hay, 71; 18-holes, SSS 66 and 9-holes; Fees, 1s a round (18-hole course), 6d (9-hole); Sunday play to 2pm.

Maryfield Golf Club; Membership 130; Hon. secretary - A S G Thomson, 113 Pitkerro Road, Dundee.

Dundee Evening Telegraph Friday 30 January 1948. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Evening Telegraph Saturday 14 January 1950. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In April 1954 Walter Lyle, professional at Clober in recent years, was appointed professional at Caird Park.

Golfer Handbook 1956; Secretary - C W Shepherd, 190 Strathmartine Road, Dundee; Professional, W B Lyle; Green-keeper, Stewart Gray; Course records; Amateur; D G Allan, 69; Professional; J Panton, W S Macdonad, W Rankine, 69; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 67 and 9-holes; Fees, 1s/6d a round (18-holes), 9d (9-holes); Sunday play. No mention of the Maryfield Golf Club.

Golfer’s Handbook 1961; Caird Park Golf Club; Membership 200; Secretary, D Gilmour; Professional, Ken Storrier; Green-keeper, Stewart Gray; Course records; Amateur; A McNaughton, 69; Professional; J Panton, W S Macdonad, W Rankine, 69; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 67 and 9-holes; Fees, 1s/9d a round (18-holes), 9d (9-holes), Sundays, 3shillings.

Result of the boys championship (Whytock Cup); G Low, 82; A Farquharson, 87; M Larg, 88.

Picture of the teams in the inaugural inter-club match between Caird Park and Camperdown for the Sporting Post Trophy in July 1961. (picture published in 1998).

Dundee Evening Telegraph Thursday 19 March 1998. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1964; Caird Park Golf Club; Membership 220; Secretary, S I Brown; Professional, F Bullock; Green-keeper, Stewart Gray; Course records; Amateur; A McNaughton, 69; Professional; J Panton, W S Macdonad, W Rankine, 69; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 67 and 9-holes; Fees, 1s/9d a round (18-holes), 9d (9-holes), Sundays, 3shillings.

Golfer’s Handbook 1966; Caird Park Golf Club; Membership 200; Secretary, S I Brown; Professional, S Boath; Green-keeper, Stewart Gray; Course records; Amateur; A McNaughton, 69; Professional; J Panton, W S Macdonad, W Rankine, 69; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 70 and 9-holes; Fees, 2s/6d a round (18-holes), Sundays, 4shillings.

Golfer’s Handbook 1972; Caird Park Golf Club; Private; Membership 200; Secretary D Y Skinner; Professional, J Boath; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 70 and 9-holes; Amateur course record, J Black, 67; Fees 20p (30p weekends).

Golfer’s Handbook 1975; Caird Park Golf Club; Private; Membership 300; Secretary D B Morrison; Professional, K Todd; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 70 and 9-holes, 2,758 yards; Amateur course record, J Black, 67; Fees 25p (30p weekends).

Golfer’s Handbook 1982; Public; Membership 335; Secretary, D Smith; Professional, Keith Todd; 18-holes, 6,273 yards, SSS 70 and 9-holes, 2,758 yards; Amateur course record, J Black, 67; Fees on application.

In 1982 the original nine-hole course was extended to accommodate two nine-hole courses called the Red 1,983 yards, SSS 29 and the Yellow 1,626 yards, SSS 29.

Golfer’s Handbook 1988 – 1991; Caird Park (1926); Membership 413; Secretary, D Faquhar jun; Professional, J Black; 18-holes, 6,303 yards, SSS 70; Amateur course record; W Thompson, 66 (1987). Caird Park (1982); Professional, J Black; 9-hole Yellow Course, 1,692 yards, SSS 29; Blue Course, 1,989 yards, SSS 29; Fees, 50p, Juniors, 30p.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 18 May 1993. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Memories of Caird Park in 1997.

Dundee Courier Thursday 16 January 1997. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1994 – 1998; Public; Membership 350; Secretary, S G Martin; Professional, J Black; 18-holes, 6,303 yards, SSS 70; Yellow Course, 9-holes, 1692 yards, SSS 29; Blue Course. 9-holes1,989 yards, SSS 29; Fees, on application.

Annual match against Camperdown in July 1998.

Dundee Evening Telegraph Saturday 18 July 1998. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Aberdeen cut-off). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 2002 – 2004; Membership 350; Secretary G Martin; Professional J Black; 18-holes, 6,303 yards, SSS 70; Yellow Course, 9-holes, 1692 yards, SSS 29; Blue Course. 9-holes1,989 yards, SSS 29; Fees, contact starter.

Golfer’s Hadbook 2006 – 2008; Membership 280; Secretary G Martin; Professional J Black; 18-holes, 6,303 yards, SSS 70; Yellow Course, 9-holes, 1692 yards, SSS 29; Blue Course. 9-holes1,989 yards, SSS 29; Fees, contact starter.

The course continued to be listed in the Golfer’s Handbook until it ceased publication in 2015.

Course scorecards.

Pictures of the courses prior to closure.

The clubhouse.

Above pictures of the 18-hole course.

Above pictures of the 9-hole course.

Thanks to Dr Douglas Lockhart who visited the Caird Park site on Sunday 2 November 1925 and provided the pictures below and the following comments - “At the start close to the main Perth-Dundee-Aberdeen road (The Kingsway) there were few vandalism issues but as I proceeded further into the second nine (close to the derelict 9-hole course (closed 1996) and the more recently closed 9-hole course (all more secluded and wooded) then it became apparent that this had become an anti-social area. The courses have become very overgrown already.”

Below are pictures of the eighteen-hole course.