A trip doon the water and a game of golf

Edinburgh Evening Dispatch, March 11th, 1904

Dunoon Golf Club.  Founded 1904. “At a meeting in the Burgh Hall, Dunoon last night, ex Provost Tannock presiding, it was agreed to form a new golf club.  A very favourable report was submitted from Mr W.Fernie the Troon professional, regarding the ground at Auchamore Farm, acquired for the course. Mr Fernie stated that he had laid out the course as desired and reported that the ground available would make an excellent nine-hole.  The course could be made one of the finest of its class in the West of Scotland, and should be in first-class playing order by the beginning of May.  Office-bearers were afterwards elected, with Mr Aimsworth M.P. as honorary president, Firtree Cottage, opposite the starting point has been secured as a clubhouse, and the course is within easy walking distance of the pier.”   

Closed in 1917

Dunoon Advertiser, April 14^th 1904.

Dunoon Golf Club – Appointment of a Grenkeeper.

The newly formed club have been fortunate in securing the services of Mr James Anderson, assistant geenkeeper of the Braids Golf Club, Edinburgh. Mr Anderson has been 6 ½ years assistant on the Braids Course – a course which is recognised to be the finest of any inland course in Scotland. He is an acknowledged expert at the green and will be available for teaching the members of the club. On Saturday last Mr Anderson went over the course of the Dunoon club and expressed himself highly satisfied with it.

The Dunoon Advertiser, May 5^th 1904.

Dunoon Golf Club

A meeting of this club was held in the town hall buildings on Monday night – Ex Provost Tannock presiding. It was reported that the membership has now reached over 100, and that the probable dates for the opening of the course were 4^th and 28^th June, word to be sent by Mr Fernie, the Professional, as to which date would be suitable, but it is expected that the latter date will be chosen, as by that time the greens will be in good order. It has been left to Mr Fernie to select another Professional for an exhibition match on the opening day.

The Dunoon Advertiser, May 12^th 1904.

Meeting of Dunoon Golf Club Committee.

A meeting of the executive committee of the Dunoon Golf Club was held in the town hall buildings on Friday evening last – Ex Provost Tannock presiding. The list of members to date was handed in, showing a membership of 124. It was agreed not to raise the subsciption till after the opening day, and intending members can still join at the original subscription. It was intimated that no reply had been received from Mr Fernie as to the date of the opening ceremony, and it was agreed that on the secretary receiving word, another meeting of the executive committee be called to make arrangements for the formal opening of the links.

On Saturday afternoon a deputation went over the course with Mr Anderson ( Father of the Grennkeeper ) of Braid Hills golf course, Edinburgh, to finally arrange as to the laying out of the greens 3 and 6, - On going to press, we are officially informed that it has been resolved to have the formal opening on the 28^th May, when Mr Fernie of Troon, the well known Professional golfer, is to play a match with three local members, who will be chosen to-night. It is expected that this match will attract many visitors to the opening ceremony, as Mr Fernie is recognised to be one of the strongest golfers in Scotland. Mr Fernie takes part the following week in the Open Championship competition, so that Dunoon is lucky in getting him for their opening day, by which time it is expected that the course will be in first class order and members will be off the temporary greens. A number of Ladies and Gentlemen have intimated their willingness to present prizes for competition, so that an interesting summers golfing is looked forward to.

The Dunoon Advertiser, Thursday June 2^nd 1904.

Opening Of New Golf Course at Dunoon

Interesting Ceremony – Description Of Fist Match

Formal Opening Of Dunoon Golf course

It has often been a matter of surprise to visitors that there was no other golf course than the one at Kirn, which in the height of the season is invariably overcrowded with devotees from Dunoon, Kirn, and Hunters Quay, and the question of acquiring ground in the immediate vicinity of Dunoon has time and again been considered, but whether for the reason that ground was difficult to obtain or some other reason, the proposal always ended in talk, and the visitors continued to grumble at the want of a course.

However, at the opening of the new club-house at Kirn last year, Ex Provost Tannock, then at the head of the civic affairs of the Burgh, got imbued with the craze for the game, and he thought, seeing he was informed it would add another ten years to his life, he would like to be a worshipper of the “ Rubber Cored Sphere”.

A meeting of interested gentlemen was called at the earliest opportunity, with the result that a club in Dunoon, and after negotiations with the superior of the land, an admirable temporary course was secured on the farm of Auchamore.

That the love for the game was not confined to a few enthusiasts was evidenced by the large number who joined the club in the first few weeks, and now the membership had risen to about 200, which must be very gratifying to the gentlemen who were instrumental in making the proposal become an accomplished fact.

Mr William Disselduff Jnr, is deserving of some recogntion for the enthusiastic manner in which he has devoted his time in the floating of the club.

The new course is a nine hole one, and can be extended to 18 holes. It was laid out by Mr James Anderson, the popular young greenkeeper to the instruction of Willie Fernie, the Troon Professional, and commands one of the finest views to be had of the firth and the surrounding country. The ceremony of formally declaring the course open passed off with great clout and success on Saturday last, in presence of numerous company of Ladies and Gentlemen to the number of over 200. Chairs were arranged along the west side of the last green, which is the field at the top of Hill Street, for the accommodation of the guests, while a large Marquee was erected in the field, where refreshments were served in the course of the afternoon, the purveying being carried out by Mr Marshall, Pier Road.

Musical selections from the Pipe Bands of the local rifle and artillery volunteers helped to impact to the proceedings an air of true Highland Character.

The day was dull but dry, and the summery costumes of the Ladies presented a blaze of colour which was pleasing to behold.

Ex- Provost Tannock occupied the chair, and was supported by Provost Warner, Ex- Provost Doig, and Councillor Macguire. Among others present were :- Ex- Provosts Oswald and Cooper, Ex Balie Anderson, Councillor and Mrs Crosher, Balie and Mrs Dobie, Mrs Warner, Rev. D.M. MacCalman, Mr and Mrs Hugh Mayberry, Avondale Lodge ; Mr and Mrs W. Fraser, Mrs and Miss McFarlane, Mr and Mrs James Andrew, Mr and Mrs J.R.L. Smith, Mr and Mrs Mackenzie, Mr and Miss Cameron, Coucillor Costelle, Mr D.G. Gossling, Mr and Mrs R. Callen, Mr, Mrs and the Misses Disselduli, The Misses Blanch, Mr and Mrs Buchanan, Renfrew ; Councillor and Miss McGlashan, Gourock ; Mr R.J. Blair, Procurator Fiscal, Greenock ; Mr and Mrs R. Craig, Mr and Mrs D. Nimmo, Mr J. McCall, The Misses Taylor, The Misses and Messrs Doig, Dr Campbell Marshall, Kelvinside ; Mr James Marshall, Dalzien, The Misses Bruce, The Misses McLean, Paisley ; The Misses Massey, Kirn ; Mr and Mrs M.D. Macpherson, Miss Watson, Miss Tannock, Mr and Mrs H.J. Dingley, Mrs Gillies, The Misses Haddow, Mr J. Scott, Mr and Mrs R. Tattersall, Mr and Mrs J. Young, The Misses Dunn, Miss Gibson, Miss McPhail, Mr Robt. Warner and many others.

Opening Ceremony

Shortly after three o’clock, Ex Provost Tannock said he had a pleasant duty to perform and that was to introduce Provost Warner to formally declare the course open, but before doing so he would like to mention why they were there that day. About six months ago a number of gentlemen, interested in golf, asked him if he would be kind enough to call a meeting to see if there was any possibility of securing a golf course for Dunoon. Kirn had had one for ten years, but within the last year or two it had become rather overcrowded, and it was thought there was room for another course in Dunoon. A meeting was therefore called, when it was agreed that hey should form a golf course in Dunoon if suitable ground could be obtained. A sub-committee was appointed to consult with the farmer, and they came to easy terms about the ground, but the consent of the superior had to be obtained. After a considerable time they received that ; and on receiving the consent, they requested Mr Fernie, the golf professional from Troon, to look over the ground and see whether or not he thought it suitable for a course.

His report was favourable, and they set about the work. The committee had also been fortunate in securing a cottage across the road for a club house. Anyone could see that they were behind in not having a course in Dunoon, as golf was one of the most popular games in the country and one of the most healthy exercises that could be taken. When he joined the Kirn Club he was told that it would lengthen his life by ten years. ( Laughter ). He hoped it would do so. He had much pleasure in calling upon Provost Warner to declare the course open. ( Applause )

Provost Warner on the Attractiveness of Golf

Provost Warner, who was received with applause, said it was a pleasant duty to him to respond to the request of the committee and declare the golf course open. For many years there had been considerable talk of getting a course nearer than that of Kirn, and they who had little to do with instituting the new club had now to congratulate those who had taken the matter in hand for the very successful issue which had resulted from their labours. ( Applause ).

The course they were now opening was very creditable to all concerned, and, being in close proximity to the town, it would, no doubt, be taken advantage of.

As the chairman had remarked, there was some difficulty in getting the ground. The present course, he understood, was only temporary, and at some future time the starting point would be somewhere about the old filters. In other three years, when the course was finished, it would be second to none in the district. ( Applause ).

Not being a golfer himself, it was with great pleasure he had therefore to introduce two ladies to them to drive off the first ball. As one of the council, he thought he should, on their behalf, thank the committee who had got the course formed, because it was one of the principal attractions of a watering place ; indeed, their attractions were not complete unless they had a golf course. The committee had not followed the example of the council in this matter, they had not allowed it to result in talk. 

( Laughter ).

Many things taken up by the council had to be talked over for a few years before they got them, and when they did come to a decision there was an indignation meeting called, and the schemes were knocked on the head ( Laughter ). He was glad they had got a golf course without any indignation meeting.

They had not only a course but a nice little cottage for a club house, and he felt they ought to congratulate the committee on their successful efforts. ( Applause ).

In conclusion, the Provost said he had simply to introduce to them the Ladies who were to drive off the first balls – Mrs Tannock and Mrs Macguire ( Applause ).

Presentation to Ladies.

Walking over to Mrs Tannock and Mrs Macguire, the Provost said he had rather a pleasant duty to perform – to present each of the Ladies with a silver mounted cleek, with which to open the course. He had very great pleasure in handing over the clubs, and asking them to formally open the course. ( Applause ).

The two Ladies then proceeded to the first teeing ground,’ where they each drove off a ball.

This part – the most important – of the ceremony over, councillor Macguire in proposing a vote of thanks to Provost Warner, said that the duty the Provost had performed that day was one that would be remembered for many years to come, viz, the opening of Dunoon Golf Course. It would probably not be written in history, but it would remain an unwritten history, to be handed down from generation to generation, that the Provost of Dunoon opened the first golf course in Dunoon. ( Applause. )

If the Provost were to do nothing more than perform the opening of the course, he would have done one of the best things that had been done in Dunoon for many years. ( Applause. )

Ex- Provost Doig said that the three preceeding speakers had commenced by saying they had a very pleasant duty to perform, and he must also fall into line by saying the same. The duty he had to perform was what he might call a double barrelled one. It was in the first place to ask them to award the two Ladies who had driven off the first ball on this course a hearty vote of thanks for doing so. He was sure they did it very well. Both did their duty neatly and were entitled to a very hearty vote of thanks. His next duty was to ask them to award to Ex- Provost Tannock a very hearty vote of thanks, not only for his conduct in the chair, but for the work he had done in initiating the course in Dunoon. He ( Ex – Provost Tannock ) was very modest, and had claimed no outstanding recognition, but in this it was openly declared and acknowledged that he above all others was entitled to any credit that was going for the golf course opened that day. ( Applause. )

He ( Ex – Provost Tannock ) had told them he was only six months a golfer, and he was determined he would not walk so far as Kirn to play, but would get a course in Dunoon. He had done so in a very creditable manner, and was entitled to every credit. ( Applause ).

The prospect of the club was very great. They had that day somewhere between 170 and 180 members in it, and he ventured to say that before the company separated there would be 200. ( Applause ).

He hoped to see next year a membership of between 200 and 300, and then they would be able to take their place as one of the best golf courses in the West of Scotland. He concluded by proposing a very hearty vote of thanks to Ex –Provost Tannock, the President of the club. ( Applause .)

Ex – Provost Tannock having returned the thanks, the company moved on to the hillside, where they were photographed by Mr F. McGeachie, Hillfoot Street Studio.

Opening Match

Great interest was centred on the opening match, the fact of W. Fernie’s appearance drawing many enthusiasts to the opening ceremony.

The Troon professional was partnered by Mr C. C. Cowan, Ex President of the Kirn Club, and engaged in a four ball foursome of 18 holes with Messrs Wm. Disselduff and James Anderson, Greenkeeper. Mr fernie and Mr Disselduff were in excellent form but the latter was rather unfortunate on several occasions. Messrs Cown and Anderson did not play up to their usual form, the former especially being completely off colour, while the latter appeared too excited to fulfil what was expected of him. The professional did the 18 holes in 70 – 36 for the first round and 34 for the second – while Mr Disselduff’s score was 78, which was highly creditable. The fact of the greens being in rather a rough condition militated against the players giving a brilliant display.

Disselduff drove off the first ball, followed by Anderson, Cowan and Fernie, all the players getting on to the green with their second shots, when Fernie holed a lucky 3, winning the hole. For the second hole, the professional had the longest drive. The green was erached in 2 and the hole won by Fernie in 4 against 5 for Disselduff.

Going to the third green, Cowan used his driver, and the other three had cleek shots. Cowan was unfortunate in not surmounting the wall. Disselduff won the hole in three against his opponents’ 4, which still left Fernie and Cowan 1 up. Making for the fourth hole, both Fernie and Disselduff made a bid for 3, but owing to the unevenness of the green, the hole was halved in 4. For the fifth hole, Anderson and Cowan were barely on with their second shots, while Fernie was short, and Disselduff in the marshy corner of the green. The pro lay dead off with his third, but Disselduff, being short with his putt, lost the hole by 4 to 5. This put the game 2 up. Owing to the steepness of the sixth green, all the second shots rolled to the low side, the hole being halved in 5. For the seventh green, Anderson and Cowan did the playing, and it was halved in 4. Making for the second last green, Fernie and Anderson carried the dyke, while Disselduff struck the top of it, but, despite this, the hole was halved by Fernie and Disselduff in 4. Disselduff was on the last green with his first stroke, the other three being on the edge. Fernie laid his approach dead, and holed for 3, Disselduff unaccountably missing a putt of 12 inches, which would have halved the hole. At the turn, Fernie and Cowan were thus 3 up. In the

Second Round

The first hole was won by Fernie, who only required two putts on the green against his opponents 3. The next hole was halved in 4 by Fernie and Disselduff, while the third hole was halved in 4 by all the players. Long driving took place to the fourth hole, and another half was the result. The fifth hole was won by Fernie in 3 to 4 for Cowan and Anderson, and thus the match was won by Fernie abd Cowan by 5 up and 4 to play. The bye of 4 holes was halved, the principal feature being the halving of the sixth hole in 4 by Anderson and Cowan, and the seventh in 3 by Fernie and Disselduff, while Cowan, Fernie, and Anderson halved the last hole in 3, which left the match still 5 up. 

Dunoon Advertiser and District Courier, August 20^th 1908

Dunoon Golf Club

On Monday evening, 14 Ladies and Gentlemen took part in the mixed double competition for sweepstake prizes. The best cards returned were – Miss Campbell and George Dunlop, Jnr ( 4 ½ ), 72 ½ ; Miss Stewart and A. Melville, Jnr. ( 8 ½ ), 75 ½ .

Daily Record, Jan 11^th, 1917

Dunoon Golf Course

Under The Plough

Dunoon golf course, which has been a source of attraction to visitors to Dunoon in years past, is now under the plough, an endeavour to help the scheme of the Board Agriculture for increasing the food production of the country. The course is part of the farm of Auchamore, tenanted by Mr. Alexander Lamont, and at the end of last year the farmer entered into now lease the farm. Previous to entering upon his new tenancy Mr. Lamont had decided that in view of the present state of the country he would put the better part the course under the plough, and through the club not being altogether in a rosy financial position, it was thought advantageous to bring the matter before the members. The majority were in favour of the proposal, and the farmer has agreed that the greens in the top part of the course should preserved, but that the greens on the lower part of the course be ploughed up. Ex-Provost Doig, President of the club, was a strong supporter of the attitude taken by the farmer. The plough is daily in work, and has now reached the quarry opposite the clubhouse.

Dunoon golf course, which has been a source of attraction to visitors since 1904, is now being ploughed in order to provide food for the people. The course is part of the farm of Auchamore, tenanted by Mr Alexander Lamont. Our picture, showing Mr Lamont's ploughman busy at work turning over the soil, were taken yesterday by a " daily record and mail" staff photographer. 

The golf course never Re-Opened