Forgotten Greens of Scotland
Forgotten Greens of Scotland

Blairadam House

Kelty & Blairadam.

Kelty had four courses, all close to the town. The exact location of the first has not yet been established, the second was on the Cocklaw estate, and the third and fourth on different parts of the Blairadam estate.

Kelty Golf Club. Kelty has been seized with the golfing mania. Some enterprising gentlemen have formed a golf club and have already acquired a course. The course is of six holes, so that will entail three turns to make a round. We wish them every success." (CLT 15.4.1896)

   "The monthly medal, which was played last Wednesday was won by Richard Smith with a net score of 88." (CLT 15.8.1896)

 

Lochgelly V Kelty. Teams representing these clubs played a return match over Kelty course last Wednesday. The weather was delightful, and the game was greatly enjoyed. The result was a win for Lelty by nine holes. Scores : -

 

            Lochgelly                     Holes                                Kelty                   Holes

           J. Hickman …………..    0                              J. Fisher ……………   1

           D. McLeod ………….     4                              J. Wallace ………….   0

           Richd. Penman ………    1                              C. Sked …………….   0

           U. Stephen …………..     0                              A. Thomson ………..  6

           A. Westwater ………..     0                              J. Turbayne ………… 2

           A. Boyd ……………..     1                              D. Mill ……………… 0

           J. Gillespie …………..     0                              J. Forrester ………….  6

           H. Smith …………….      0                             A. Bain ……………… 4

           A. Irvine …………….     0                              Joseph Smith ………..  5

           J. McArthur …………     6                              J.A. Burt …………….  0

           W. Lonie ……………     0                              T. Chalmers …………  3

           Dr Dendle ……………    0                              J. Scott ………………  1

           John Laing …………..     7                              W. Stewart …………..  0

           A. Hodge …………….     8                              J. Wood …………….   0

           A. Nisbet …………….     3                              Jas. Smith …………..   0

           F.W. Stiven ………….     0                              J. Chalmers …………  11

                                                 -------                                                            ---------

                                                        30                                                                      39

 After the match both teams adjourned to the Oakfield Hotel, where an excellent tea was served." (CLT 26.8.1896)

  "A meeting of the golf club was held last night in the Drill Hall, when there was a fair attendance. Much dissatisfaction was expressed at the bad condition of the present course and a committee of enquiry was appointed.

   The following were elected as office bearers for the ensuing year:-

President, Mr J.D. Connel; Vice President, Mr Dendle; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. Boyd; Captain, Mr W.W. Bethune; Vice Captain, Baillie Laing; Committee – Messrs J. McQuillen, A. Irvine, J. Laing, A. Nisbet Jnr, and P. Anderson." (CLT 25.11.1896)

   "Golf Ball. – The Kelty Golf Club held a supper and dance in the Cooperative hall, Oakfield on Friday last. The hall was tastefully decorated. The supper party was presided over by the Rev Mr Neville who made an excellent chairman. Nearly 50 couples were present at the dance, which passed off very successfully, the delightful music contributing greatly to the enjoyment of the dancers.The neighbouring clubs of Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly were represented by Dr Craig and Mr A. Boyd. Songs were given at intervals during the evening." (CLT 17.1.1897)

Kelty  golf Club. Instituted  May 1896.  “This club has rapidly grown into popularity, in a year having 45 gentlemen and 10 lady members.  The course is quite near to the village, and has 9 holes, with quite the requisite number of hazards, consisting of a pond, a dyke, a disused pit, while a wood and a ditch skirt one side of the course, It is about fifteen minutes walk from Kelty railway station, and six miles from Loch Leven and Kinross. Hotel accommodation can be had.  Visitors welcome.

Pres. James Terris; vice-pres. H A Neville; Capt. James Fisher; Hon Sec. John Scott; Committee James Chalmers, James Halley, C Sked, J Forrester, Dr Carment, Richard Smith, T Chalmers.  Membership 55.  Amateur record and record score in a club competition, 87, James Fisher, Capt, (August 1897).

   "The half yearly competition for the scratch medal took place on Wednesday last, there being a fair turnout of members. The Captain of the club, Alex Bayne, the winner of the medal with a score of 87 – the next best scores being J. Forrester 88; F. Milne 80; Dr Carment 91. The course has been altered somewhat, and two of the greens, where bad lies were frequently encountered, have been eliminated, and a good game can be safely reckoned upon. The committee have in view several competitions for prizes, which will begin at an early date." (DSP 3.6.1899)

Evening Telegraph May 25th, 1903

Kelty

 

W. Binnie, Kinghorn professional golfer, visited Kelty on Saturday, and played a round of the course with some of the local cracks. Playing with the “ Ortogo,” singer ball he did the round in 77. This constitutes a record for the course, and had the greens been in their usual good condition the score might have been improved on.

Dundee Courier March 23rd, 1907

Kelty golf club winners

 

At the annual meeting of the Kelty golf club – over which Mr James Ferris, the President, presided – the prizes won during the past season were presented by the chairman as follows :- Ladies Tournament – 1, Miss Chalmers ; 2, Miss Esslemont ; 3, Miss Thorburn. Ladies scratch competition – Miss Throburn, Stuart cup and golf bag – 1, Mr S. Scott ; 2, Mr J.D. Morrison. Captains Prize – 1, Dr A.G. Carment ; 2, Mr John Scott ; 3 and 4, Mr J.B. Calder and Mr James Fisher.

Office Bearers were elected as follows :- President, Mr James Terris ; Vice President, Dr A.G. Carment ; Captain, Mr Tom Burns ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr John Scott. Committee, Misses Pockney, Esslemont, Chalmers, and Forbes, and Messrs Morrison, Fisher, Calder, and Mathieson.

 

Dundee Courier November 29th, 1910

 

Mr James Morrison ( 5 ), after two ties, has defeated Mr John Smith ( Scratch ), in the final for the Stewart cup of the Kelty golf club.

   "The course is situated on Cocklawe Estate, and is quite near to the villa.  There are plenty of natural hazards." (NGYB 1907)  Membership 70 (1907).

"Opening Of New Course At Kelty. A new nine hole course for Kelty was opened on Saturday afternoon. The course is on the estate of Blairadam, belonging to Sir Charles E. Adam. Mr John Morrison presided at the opening ceremony. Mr James Terris, factor to Sir Charles E. Adam, in declaring the course open, said he had followed the doings of the club with keen interest, and he was proud to see that they could always keep the Kelty flag in the forefront. He hoped the course would be largely taken advantage of and many a pleasant game played. Mr Terris drove off the first ball, amidst cheers. A match was afterwards played between teams representing the Captain and Vice President. The results were as under :-

 

                               Captain                                              Vice President

T. Morrison  …………………….   ½              R. Hunter  ………………………… ½

A. Thomson  ……………………   0               Jas Morrison  ……………………… 1

W. Bisset  ……………………….   1               Jas Fisher  …………………………  0

S.H. Scott  ……………………….  1               John Morrison  …………………….  0

J. Miller  …………………………  0               J. Hynd  ……………………………  1

J.B. Calder  ……………………… 1                W. Irrat  ……………………………  0

W. Morrison  …………………….  0                W. Shairlaw  ……………………… 1

J. Birrel  …………………………. 1                 W. Hynd  ………………………….  0

 

                                                        4 ½                                                                     3 ½

(DP 20.4.1912) 

Dundee Courier January 7th, 1913

 

Samuel Scott wins Championship

Of Kelty golf club

 

Kelty golf club championship has been won by Mr Samuel Scott, who defeated Alexander Thomson, in a keenly contested final.

The club members played a match of 36 holes, and the lowest eight played off in tournament fashion.

In the final, the first hole was halved, and Thomson won the second and third, but Scott squared matters by winning the next two. Thomson took the next one, but after holing the seventh and eighth, Scott again squared matters at the ninth, when they turned with Scott 39, and Thomson 41.

Scott gained the lead for the first time at the tenth, but Thomson brought him back at the next. The halving of the next hole again kept matters level, but here Scott gradually drew away by winning the next two. The fifteenth was halved, leaving Scott in the comfortable position of 2 and 3.

Thomson on going to the sixteenth was unfortunate in getting a bad lie, and Scott won the hole, and the match, by being 3 up and 2 to play.

Dundee Courier 1913

Kelty golf club

 

The office bearers for Kelty golf club have been elected as follows :- President, Mr Jas. Terris, Dullimuir, J.P., ; Vice President, Mr Charles Hoy ; Secretary, Mr John Scott ; Treasurer, Mr James Fisher ; Captain, Mr Robert Hunter.

At the annual meeting the treasurer submitted his report, stating that he had been able to close the year with a handsome balance in bank. The opening match for the year has been fixed for April 2nd.

Dundee Courier March 17th, 1914

 

Kelty golf club’s successful

Season

 

The annual meeting of the Kelty golf club was attended by a very large number of members. The President, Mr James Terris, Dullomuir, presided.

The secretary, Mr John Scott, presented his report, which showed the membership to be 82 – the largest number they had had for some years. The club had been very successful in matches with other clubs and the competitions had all excited much interest.

The treasurers report showed a large expenditure – necessitated by the purchase of a pony mower and other requisites for the course, which left them with only a small balance to their credit. Mr terries, and Mr Charles Hoy were re-elected President and Vice President respectively.

Mr John Swan was elected secretary in room of Mr John Scott, who retired after 18 years, and Mr James Burrell, treasurer. The chairman presented the prizes as follows :- Stuart Cup, Mr John Hynd ; Club Championship, Mr Robert Hunter ; Challenge cup, Mr John Hynd.

Dundee Courier, October 20th, 1914

 

Kelty golf club championship

 

Mr Robert Hunter has won the Kelty golf club championship for another year, this being the second success in succession.

This year he met Mr A. Fisher in the final, and won by 2 and 1. He has been presented with a gold medal, which goes along with the championship.

Dundee Courier October 13th, 1919

Kelty Flourishing

 

Kelty golf club have now finished their season, the results of the principal competitions being :- Club Championship – R. Hunter ; Runner-up, J. Hamilton ; Stewart Cup ( Handicap ) – J. Hynd ; Runner up, W. Walker ; Challenge medallist – G. Hunter ; Ladies Cup ( Handicap ) Miss Cook ; Runner up, Miss McBean. In a competition for a ladies brooch Miss Neta Galloway ( 18 ) beat her sister, Miss Ina Galloway ( Scratch) in the final.

The prizes were presented at the anuual meeting of the club, when Mr Calder was appointed President ; Mr Henderson, Secretary ; Mr J. Hynd, Captain ; and Mr J. Kirk, Treasurer.

The club was reported to be in a flourishing condition.

   " A very interesting event took place at Kelty on Wednesday evening in the opening of the Kelty golf club pavilion erected at a cost of £250 of which £120 was given by the Kelty Public House Society. Mr Calder, Schoolmaster, and President of the club, presided, and in a very happy speech referred to the many ups and downs of the club, and hoped that the club was now firmly established and would prosper.  Mr Scott, a former president and secretary, and one of the founders of the club, was present, and said that one of his many dreams had come true in the erection of the building. Mr Bauld, Ballingry, and Mr Holman, Cowdenbeath, congratulated the club on possessing such a splendid Pavilion. A friendly game was afterwards taken part in by the members of the club and visitors." (DP 5.6.1920)

   "The Kelty club is showing considerable activity this year. Particular attention has been given to the greens, which have been specially treated during the winter and at present are showing excellently. Incresed attention has been paid to the fairway, and players can rely upon good conditions throughout the coming season. The new clubhouse is quite attractive and the course  (9 Holes) is situated amidst pleasant surrounding on Blairadam Estate. An attractive fixture card has been arranged, and the season, which opens on the 20th of this month, has every prospect of being a record one in the clubs history." (DP 16.4.1921)

 

   "The finals of Kelty club competition took place on Thursday. In the club championship Mr T. Tucker proved too strong for Mr W. Henderson. The former winning by 6 up and 5 to play. In the Stewart cup competition Mr G. Ross defeated Mr A. Mitchell on the last green." (DP 16.7.1921) 

New Golf Course

 "Kelty golf club, who lost their course at the end of the year, have been successful in securing a nicely situated piece of ground on the famous Blairadam Estate.

   The members by voluntary labour have been busily engaged putting the course in order, and it will be officially opened for play on Wednesday first. Though only nine holes, there is plenty of scope for long driving. Mrs Macfarlane, St Andrews, is to perform the opening ceremony."

(ET 18.4.1927)

   "New Golf course on the Blairadam estate. There may be better nine hole courses, but it will be very difficult to find a prettier one than the one Kelty has acquired and laid out in the centre of the beautiful Blairadam Woods, with all their sylvan beauty, and from which one can get a fine view of Benarty Hill, and, better still, Loch Leven and the island. At the opening ceremony Mr Calder, President of the club, presided over a large number of golfers, and referred to the auspicious occasion on which they had met.

   The club had been in existence for thirty one years and this had been the fourth course they had.

   The late Sir Charles Adam had been good to them in their other courses. They had always cast longing eyes on a course on the Blairadam estate, and now through the kindness of the new proprietix they had secured that. They all knew the historical association connected with Blairadam House and the estate, and they were soon to have an ideal course situated on a beautiful estate and close to that famous house the home of the Adams for two hundred years.

   The house was now a hotel, so that when other improvements had been put on the course it would not only be one of the most beautiful, but one of the best courses in Kinross or Fife.

   Mrs Macfarlane had just come from St Andrews, the mecca of golf, and he was sure she would prove her prowess on the new golf course. He was sorry that she had met with a slight accident, so that she was prevented from driving off the first ball that day, but they had a capable substitute in Miss Macfarlane, and he then called upon her to formally open the course.

Mis Macfarlane thereupon drove off the ball with a good drive, amidst cheers.

Votes of thanks were accorded Mrs Macfarlane, Miss Macfarlane, and Mr Calder, and a mixed foursome competition was then proceeded with. Tea was served in the new clubhouse." (ET 21.4.1927)

Scotsman August 19th, 1935

 

Kinross Association

________________

 

Kelty and Blairadam’s

Success

________________

 

Two District Trophies Won

 

Kinross and district golf association’s annual club championship tournament was played on the Kelty and Blairadam course on Saturday. All the club’s in the association were represented. Kelty and Blairadam won the double, securing the shield and cup for the best aggregate in the singles and foursomes.

J. Watters, Kinross, and J.N. Balnaves, Milnathort, tied for the individual title with scores of 74 each.

Name changed to Kelty and Blairadam Golf Club.

 

Membership 200(1938)

 

Last recorded 1940.                     

 

 “Closed.” (SGC Mar 1947)

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