The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Torphin Hill Golf Club, Edinburgh. (1895 - 2014)

The clubs origins came about by the amalgamation of several Edinburgh printing firms who played for the Edinburgh Federation Shield, a team trophy which was still played for up to the closure of the club.

The club first appeared in 1895 with a course around Torphin Hill.

Following is a report from the Aberdeen Press and Journal Thursday 13 June 1895 - "There has been some talk lately of a golf course and the one suggested, and which will not unlikely be formed, will start from beside the railway bridge, west of the station, and skirting the line for some distance would round the base of Torphins Hill. The ground is at present somewhat rough, but with an expenditure of £100 or so an excellent course could be formed."

In December 1902 it was reported that the Edinburgh Establishment Golf Club Federation had acquired a lease of Torphin Hill, near Juniper Green, for a new golf course. There was to be an 18-hole course about three miles in length.

Edinburgh Evening News Saturday 4 April 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The above image and the following report are from the Edinburgh Evening News Saturday 4 April 1903; “Edinburgh has proved so congenial a field for golf in all its connections that it is hardly a matter of surprise that primarily associated with one of the staple industries of the city, the printing trade, but with a membership open to a somewhat wider circle, there should exist a flourishing golfing “federation,” Nor, looking to the strength of the federation, does it seem the members are running an undue risk by entering the ranks of course-owning concerns. Torphin Hill, Juniper Green, of which we give an illustration with the course laid out, is the latest addition to the golf courses of the kingdom of golf, its formal opening taking place today.

The printer-golfer and the general workman-golfer are as old in a regular Edinburgh club connection as the Braid Hills course, clubs being formed in connection with several offices and workshops in the city on the Corporation taking over the hill. As time went on it was proposed that the clubs should effect a union of some kind, and the result was the formation was the Edinburgh Establishment Golf Club, which, instituted in 1895, was the first, and, so far as we are aware, is still the only association of its kind in connection with the game. The trophy competition, as distinct from the individual cup competition, was originally on the league principal, and the Albert Club, Tynecastle Works, were the first champions, Later, it was deemed advisable to adopt the shorter tournament principle, and, as on the Braids so on Torphin Hill, matches in the tournament will be played for in foursomes, eight players a side. The Federation clubs this season number ten; Ballantyne Press, Banks & Co., Blackwood, Bridgeside, Edinburgh University Press, North British Rubber Works, Parkside, R & R Clarke, Tanfield and Watersonians, while there is a large ordinary membership drawn from members of the office and works’ clubs mentioned and an associate membership of fair numbers and enjoying “association” on distinctly moderate terms. This ground at Torphin Hill, which has been taken on a ten years’ lease, comprises about 100 acres of land, and the eighteen-holes course is about three miles in extent, the distances between the holes ranging from 120 to 340 yards.”

The clubhouse was formally opened on Saturday 11 July 1903 by R W Hanson .

The first contest for the gold medal provided by the Edinburgh Establishment Club Federation was played for in September in 1903. It finished in a tie between W Stirling and J Telford, both of the Ballantyne Press and J Stevens, associate member with scores of 93. The three players would play off the following Saturday. In addition to the possession of the mead for the year, the winner would have his name inscribed on a bar affixed, and receive a gold badge representing the medal in miniature.

Following is a report from the Edinburgh Evening News Friday 22 December 1905 – “E.E.G.C.F. (Torphin Hill Golf Club) – The annual general meeting of this association was held last night in the Bible Society Rooms, St Andrew Square. The president occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks referred to the success which continued to attend the association since its acquisition of Torphin Hill as a golf course. The annual report was read by the secretary, and was unanimously approved. The treasurer’s report showed that the financial situation was in a prosperous condition. A proposal to increase the entrance fee failed to obtain the necessary majority. J Mackenzie and P Logan were re-appointed auditors, and the first council meeting was to be held in January.”

Following is an extract from a report that appeared in the The Scotsman in April 1911. It gives an interesting insight into the beginning and development of the club – “An Edinburgh Working-Men’s Club – In theses days of big entrance fees and yearly subscriptions running into guineas, it may not come amiss if reference be made to the successful venture of the Torphin Golf Club. Its appearance may be said to have been directly due to that congestion for which the Braid Hills course has for years been notorious. To a member of the club we are indebted for the following account of the rise and progress of the club. The printing trade of Edinburgh, he says, had supplied many recruits to golf. They fretted at the wearsome waiting at the Braids on Saturdays. At last some wise men among them arose and asked “Can’t we do something for ourselves in this matter? Is the establishment of a golf course possible amongst the printing fraternity of Edinburgh?” Largely through the efforts of Mr A Gillies, a committee was formed, which, after much trouble in the matter of selection, settled on a lease on Torphin Hill, an extensive plateau overlooking Torduff Reservoir, half a mile to the south of Juniper Green village. It stands on the lower shelf of the Pentlands, 800ft above sea- level, is in the sun’s path all day, and is pervaded by an atmosphere of perfect quietness. The task of laying out the Torphin Hill course nine years ago was not accomplished without difficulty. Contrary to the opinion of Bob Ferguson, the committee decided to place the majority of the holes east and west, instead of north and south, as he advised. By doing this they obviated the necessity of building up a number of putting greens on the southern slope of the hill. Whins, wilde straw and other impediments inimical to the playing of good golf had to be dealt with. Fortunately the turf on the course was perfect; it required only a reasonable time to wear down roughness, to eradicate worms on putting greensand suppress the depredations of rabbits. The course is an eighteen-hole one, measuring 5,115 yards. The club is composed of federated (printing) and associate members. The former govern the club. A handsome shield (Federation Trophy) is played for yearly by the federated section, the winning team composed of eight players becoming champions for the year. A gold medal (scratch) is open to both sections of the club. By strenuous effort the officials of Torphin Hill Golf Club (most of whom have been associated with the management since its inception) have succeeded admirably in their laudable enterprise.”   

A Pre WW1 postcard of Torphin golf course. Published by Bird, Juniper Green.

Leading scores from the opening stage of the Summer Meeting played in June 1923 for class one players (handicap to 15); H Bunting, 96-14-72; T D Jamieson, 85-12-73; W Fleming, 80-5-75; T Alriset, 87-12-75; W S Livingstone, 80-5-75; J McVey, 79-3-76; D M Anderson, 91-14-77; R Bell, 91-14-77; J Webster, 83-5-78; J H Frew, 86-8-78; R Somerville, 93-15-78; P Jamieson, 89-10-79; S Lawson, 89-10-79; W Smith, 90-11-79; F Hamilton, 91-12-79; J H Clark, 93-14-79; J Ronaldson, 93-14-79; J Lawson, 86-6-80; A Stirling, 94-14-80. The scratch prize was won by J McVey (79).

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership, Gents, 380, Ladies, 50; Hon. Sec. -  J M Gow, 22, Hill, Street, Edinburgh; Green-keeper, George A McMillan; Amateur course record; T J Forrest, 66; Visitors, 2s a day, 7s/6d a week, 10s a fortnight, 20s a month.

Below is the result of an inter-club match played at Juniper Green against Hardale Golf Club on Friday 1 July 1932.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1936.

The Scotsman Monday 3 February 1936. Image © Johnston Press plc.

Golfer's Handbook 1937; Torphin Hill Golf Club, Torphin Road, Colliston; Membership Gents, 300, Ladies, 100; Secretary - A White, 20 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh; Green-keeper, George A McMillan; Amateur course record - G F Davidson, 74; 18-holes, SSS 73; Visitors, 2s a day, 2s/6d Sunday, 7s/6d a week; Licensed.

Competition results from September 1937.

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 24 September 1937. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1938

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 11 February 1938. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The hon. secretary and treasurer in 1939 was G F Davidson, 26 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh. There was to be a limited number to be offered full membership without entry fee. The annual subs were; gentlemen, £3/3s; ladies, £2; juniors, 12s/6d. 

Result of a stableford competition played in August 1939; Angus Macdonald (5), 41 points;  Robert Stuart (13), 40; G Mackay jun. (9), and A Henderson (18), 39. Angus Macdonald went round with a fine score of 72.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1944.

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 11 February 1944. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1947; Membership 300; Secretary and treasurer - H J Fairburn, 27 Baird Drive, Edinburgh; Green-keeper, W Morrison; Course records; Professional - Mark Seymour, 74; Amateur - A Dods Dickson and J S Smith, 73; Visitors, 2s a day, 2s/6d Sunday, 7s/6d a week, 10s a fortnight, 20s a month.

Golfer's Handbook 1957; Membership 220; Secretary - P Hastie, 14, Temple Park Crescent, Edinburgh; Green-keeper, A Greig; 18-holes, SSS and Par, 73; Course records; Professional - Mark Seymour, 74; Amateur - A Dods Dickson and J S Smith, 73; Visitors, 2s a day, 3s/6d Sunday.

Golfer's Handbook 1961; Membership 225; Secretary - J Foote, 2 Pentlands Villa Juniper Green; Green-keeper, R R Strange; Amateur course record - R Ronaldson, 67; 18-holes, 5,328yards; Visitors, 3s/6d a day, (3s/6d Saturday, 5s Sunday). 

Competitors in the Lothians Golf Championship May 1962.

Edinburgh Evening News Saturday 5 May 1962. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the July 1962 spoon competition; W J Reid (10) 64; D E Knight (19) and J Pryde (22) 65; J R Stewart (12) 66; F Hopkins (12) and J Somerville (10) 67; S R Walker (18) 68; J Thomas (20), R J C Gray (10) and C Fairley (18) 70.

Golfer's Handbook 1982; Membership 450; Secretary, A Chalmers; 18-holes, 5,025 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record - A L Turner, 65; Visitors, £2.50 (£5 weekend).

Golfer's Handbook 1988; Membership 450; Secretary, R Brannan; 18-holes, 5,025 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record -  G Wilkie and A I Turner, 62; Visitors, £3 (£6).

Golfer's Handbook 1998; Membership 450; Secretary, R M Brannan; Professional, J Browne; 18-holes, 5,025 yards, SSS 66; Amateur course record -  G Campbell, 65; Visitors, £12 (£20).

From the 2006 to 2008 Golfer's Handbook; Membership, 450;  Secretary, W H McCathie; Professional, J Browne; 18-holes 5,285 yards, SSS 67; Green-fees, £15 (£20).

The club name continued to be listed in the Golfer's Handbook up to closure.

In January 2014 it finally closed its doors. Similar to its near neighbour, Lothianburn Golf Club, which had also recently closed, Torphin Hill suffered from a drastic drop in membership due mainly to other local clubs offering more attractive membership deals. Most of the members at the club were expecting the closure and at a recent meeting, attended by many members who had been at the club for over thirty years, decided to use the get together as a celebration to the clubs history. Club Secretary, Christopher Davies, said that they were “saying goodbye to a dear old friend which had given so much pleasure over the years” It was a hilly course which was appreciated by the Torphin Hill members but did not always appeal to the current golfing fraternity who prefer a flatter terrain. The club captain Vincent Robinson, a member for 36 years, also expressed his sadness at the closure. The vice-captain at closure was John Webster and the ladies’ captain, Andrea Johnstone.   

Course scorecards below.

Above, one of the Torphin Hill greens with the clubhouse in the background.

The above images gives an idea of the terrain of the former course.

Thanks to Dr Douglas Lockhart who visited the site in June 2023 and provided the pictures below.

Former clubhouse – now flats.

Up the hill towards the second hole.

Overgrown area between the second and eighteenth.

Looking back from the eighteenth green.

O.S Map Revised 1905; © Crown Copyright {1908} Torphin Hill course and clubhouse on the above map.