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Gesgeir Golf Club, Port Ellen, Islay, Argyll & Bute. (1908 - 1920s)

Opened 15 August 1908 by Miss Ramsay of Cairamore who hit the opening shot with a silver cleek presented by the owners, the Misses McCuaig. A nine hole course situated adjacent to the White Hart Hotel, Port Ellen.

Report on the opening of the course from the Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 22 August 1908; "OPENING OF GESGEIR LINKS -The formal opening of this course for golf took place on the afternoon of the fifteenth in brilliant sunshine, in the presence of a large company of players and the general public. Miss Ramsay of Cairamore, who performed the opening ceremony was met at the  principal entrance, adjoining Memorial Hall, by the Misses McCuaig, Misses  F Mackenzie, and L McCuiag, accompanied by Mr P Reid, Tighcargamin, and conducted to the first tee, facing the west windows of the White Hart Hotel. Here a large group formed, while the camera was adjusted to obtain a photographic memento of the event. This done, Miss Ramsay, taking the silver-mounted cleek presented by Miss McCuaig, for the purpose, addressed the ball which, as it sped through the air amid great cheering, was the signal that the Gesgeir Links were open to the public. Miss Ramsay was joined in a foursome by Mr P Reid, and Mr and Mrs Hendry, Glasgow. Many of the public present followed the players, as much to notice the landscape and configuration of the ground as to watch the play. 

ROUND THE COURSE - Following the direction of Traigh-Gesgeir, the line from the first tee is westward over even ground, enclosed by a stone wall from the public road. Save a few rabbit scrapes, the risk of a pull to the highway, the chief barrier to Craig an Fhion is an outcrop of rock facing the green. At Tighcargaman play turns northward and for two-thirds of the way the ground gently ascends to the foot of an abrupt precipice, flanked by a grassy declivity, which is the pathway to the putting green. This obstacle may either be avoided by deviation or cleared, and for the latter a professional drive is  requisite, or a lofting iron from a convenient distance may carry the level above. The third-stage, looking south-east, with a considerable dip midway, is made interesting by the position of the green. A bluff rock, rising from a level, guards it on line of the approach, and another less formidable on the right. The entrance between is indicated by a post. Taken by front or at an angle, an accurate pitch alone finds the green, and too much force sends the ball to broken ground, or throws it trundling down a steep decline. On the fourth tee, placed on the crown of a knoll overlooking a stone wall, which has to be scaled, the player has reached the part of his journey which seeks inland towards the north-east, over ground ascending by easy gradients. The height brings to view the flag a few yards away, and beyond, in the distance, a pastoral scene which attracts the eye. Having holed out the golfer turns south, crossing the most elevated part of the course, the site of many a bonfire on occasion of great local rejoicing. On the crest a panorama of wide extent faces the player, the village nestling below, with headlands, islands, and an expanse of sea forming the distant view. On the way to Barradh Dhubbaig, or fifth hole, the dangers in the way are a stone  quarry to the left, and a rocky gorge on the further side of the green. The objective is now south-west. From the tee, Coille nan Capull presents a peculiar formation. A sudden dip, a trap dike crossing the line of play, an escarpment of denuded and grass covered rocks receding to right, and an open plane in front, are the main features. The same direction is followed in driving to Cnoe na Faire, a conical hill above the village. The ball in play essays a ruinous stone wall, which crossed leaves open way to the seventh green, though in the approach a little excess strength may carry to difficult hollows beyond. A circular mound makes the starting point to Gesgeir, to the south-east. The principal hazard is the stone wall referred to, which again comes in line of play, and if not negotiated may swell the score. Even ground marks the rest of the hole. The final stage is southward to the home, as the name of the last hole expresses. The ground slopes evenly to the green, adjacent to the hotel stables. Here no difficulty faces the player, though the ruts of a cart road and cross drain form traps for the unwary. In laying down the course, the local experts were consulted with advantage. The measurement of distances, the painting of numbers and names on flags and boxes and other preparatory work, were entrusted to Messrs. A and R MacArthur, Port Errin."

Card of the course: 

Article from the Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 14 August 1909; "Golf at Geisgeir - A large and increasing patronage as accrued to the new village course at Port Ellen during the present summer. Supply creates a demand, and though the want in this instance had previously been felt, the provision made has been the means of expressing the activity of local needs and the growing necessity of larger opportunities for enjoyment to native and stranger alike. The possibilities of the area marked out for the new course were early perceived, and experience has proved that they were not over-estimated.

Improvement of greens and tees with the use of a mower on the line of play, have advanced the attraction from the golfers' point of view, while the claims of landscape appeals to all. The latter hitherto known only to the native, is now discovered by the visitor, when for the first time is introduced to a scene of unsuspected beauty, where on every hand at each ascent of the easily-graded height, near and distant views of sea and land command attention. The public interest in the course created by adventitious circumstances, has in these days been fostered by the offer of prizes for competition among the subscribers through the Misses MacCuaig, White Hart Hotel, whose enterprise was instrumental twelve months ago Gesgeir to the public.

During the previous week the separate competitions instituted for ladies and gentlemen were brought to an end, and on the 9th. inst., adjoining the first tee, which faces the west windows of the hotel. Miss Ramsay, Cairnmore, handed over the prizes to the winners; 1, Claret Jug, Master Bryson K Reid; 2, silver cigarette stand, Mr Martin Macgillivray, Post Office; Ladies' contest; 1, gold cleek, Miss Peggy Osborne; 2, box of chocolate, Mrs Feaveryear. The gold cleek was from the anvil of Mr R MacArthur, clubmaker, and bearing an inscription with an artistic engraving of mail boat and local lighthouse, was certainly the most interesting of the day's awards. The members of the committee present on the occasion were - Messrs. G Feavearyear, P Reid, G.P., D Osborne and J Robertson, Bank House, Port Ellen."

Advert from The Scotsman in July 1925 - "Islay (Port Ellen) - White Hart Hotel, Port Ellen,  golfing, bathing, tennis, billiards. Own Farm Produce." 

The area the course occupied now forms part of the Port Ellen playing fields (picture below).

Ordnance Survey Map Showing the White Hart Hotel, golf course adjoined the hotel.

O.S. Map Revised 1897; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}.