Dunblane Hydropathic.
"A meeting of those interested in the formation of a golf club was held in the county buildings on Wednesday evening--- the chief magistrate, Mr Lang occupied the chair.
After several explanations by Mr Henderson, the manager of the Hydropathic, as to the amount of money spent by Dr Philip, and other particulars relating to the course it was unanimously resolved to form a club, and it was remitted to a small committee to frame the constituion and rules which will be submitted to a meeting to be held at an early date. The course which extends over the Laighills is at present well forward in formation."
(Stirling Journal 18.3.1892)
"If the weather be favourable the new golf course is to be opened on Saturday first. A supply of the tools used in the game is held by Mr McLauchlan, Saddler, and from the quantity he has already disposed of, great interest appears to be taken in it."
(Perthshire Advertiser 30.4.1892)
"The new golf course over the Laighills will be formally opened tomorrow, when Tom Morris and some other cracks will try their skill over the course."
(Stirling Journal 1.4.1892)
Opening of A Course At Dunblane.
"By the energy of Mr Philip, of the local Hydropathic, Dunblane has at last been provided with a golf course. It is on a commonty called the Laich Hills, or in the local pronunciation “ Lechells” about ten minutes walk from the town and also the Hydropathic, which latter commands a full view of the entire round. Though rather circumscribed in extent – being only nine holes – the course abounds in all accompaniments dear to the hearts of the true golfer. The course it may be mentioned, was provisionally laid out by Mr Philips manager.
The course occupies a commanding position, and the prospect from it is very fine, embracing, as it does, views of Ben Lomond, Ben Ledi, and other mighty monarchs of the mountains, the finely wooded, undulating, and picturesque country in the foreground, the Allan Water curving in a semi-circle round three sides of the course, and the old cathedral town of Dunblane as a background.
On Saturday the well known golfer, Mr Leslie M. Balfour, Edinburgh, performed the ceremony of opening the course in presence of a large gathering of Ladies and Gentlemen from yhe Hydropathic and from Dunblane, Callander, Bridge of Allan, and Stirling. Amongst those present were:- Sir John Stirling Maxwell of Pollockand Lady Susan Melville from Keir House.
Mr Balfour, having driven a ball, addressed a few remarks to the company. He congratulated the people of Dunblane on having got such a fine course within an hours journey from Edinburgh and Glasgow and hoped they would find much amusement and recreation on it. He had no doubt it would be the means of attracting a large number of visitors to Dunblane, so that the citizens and Mr Philip would also benefit by it, as well as those who came to play.
A foursome was then engaged in between Mr L.M. Balfour and Mr Alexander Stuart, Glasgow, on the one side, and Tom Moriss, St Andrews, and Bob Sayers, North Berwick. In a three ball match on Friday night with Messrs Balfour and Stuart, Sayers did the nine holes in 5,3,4,4,2,3,4,3,4, - 32, which is the first record for the ground."
(Perth Constitutionak and Journal 6.4.1892)
"On Friday evening a meeting of those interested in the Formation of a new golf club took place in the County Buildings. The rules submitted to the meeting were approved of and the following office bearers were then appointed. President, Mr Archibald Stirling of Keir; Vice President, Mr J.W. Barty, Glenacre; Captain, Mr Henderson, Hydropathic; etc along with committee.
It was intimated to the meeting that Mr Philip of the Hydropathic Institution had been good enough to present a handsome silver medal to the club for competition. A tournament will be played off on Friday and Saturday 1st Prize, 4 Golf Balls 2nd Prize, 2 Golf Balls."
(Stirling Journal 1.7.1892)
"On Saturday the members of the Dunblane Hydropathic club went over the Laighill course in the monthly medal handicap) competition. The weather was splendid, and about 40 members competed." (Perthshire Advertiser 20.7.1892)
"Golf, and nothing but golf is the order of the day. The Hydropathic is quite full and daily furnishes a strong contingent to the Laighill. On Monday (The Edinburgh Autumn Holiday) a number of gentlemen hailing from “ Auld Reekie” played a match with a few of our young gallants, ending in a victory for the Dunblaneites, with a win by 29 holes.
The “Edinburgh visitors” played their Autumn club competition on Monday over the same ground, which was in excellent order.
The golf course has been the chief attraction for visitors this season, and it has indeed been well patronised." (Perthshire Advertiser 21.9.1892)
"An amateur handicap competition was held over this course on Friday and Saturday for some valuable prizes. Two rounds of nine holes were played. Some good scoring resulted. The prize winners were: 1. Mr R.J. Wallace, Bearsden (72 less 4) 68, 2. Mr Bruce Hunter, St Andrews (scratch) 71, 3. Mr J.C. Braid, Bridge of Allan
(scratc ) 73, 4. Mr R. Henderson, Dunblane Hydropathic (scratch) 74, A total of ten prizes were given out on the day.
Fifty six players took part in the competition, and while it was in progress an exhibition game was played by Ben Sayers and a young St Andrews professional named Gourley, who lost by 7 and 5 to play. Sayers score for the eighteen holes was 65
Thereafter Sayers and Tom Morris played Gourley and Mr R. Henderson and won by 2 and 1 to play. Scores : Sayers and Tom Morris 72, the other pair 74"
(Stirling Journal 23.10.1896)
"Golfers will be interested to hear that Mr David McLaughlan, Dunblane, has been appointed green keeper to the Hydropathic golf club here. Mr McLaughlan, who is one of our best local Amateur golfers, and a favourite with visitors to the course, has, since it was opened, been associated with his father in the making of golf clubs, and from his experience, his abilities as a player and his genial manner possesses all the qualifications for his new post." (Perthshire Advertiser 29.9.1897)
"The Dunsmuir (Scratch) gold medal was played for over the Laighills course on Satuday, when Mr Robert Henderson, Hydropathic, became the winner with a score of 38 and 39 respectively for the two rounds. His score of 77 is a very good one for medal play.
On Saturday the competition for the final possession of the monthly medal will take place. This competition is between the eight monthly winners of the medal, and it is expected that the play will be very keen. Mr Henderson intimates his intention of giving a prize of a dozen golf balls for competition on Saturday."
(Perthshire Adertiser 13.10.1897)
"The first round of the competition for the absolute possession of the monthly medal in connection with the Hydro Golf Club was played over the Laighills course on Saturday.
The eight competitors, all winners of the monthly medals – were – Messrs R. Henderson, A.B. Barty, W. Peattie, Syd Christie, T. Barty, J. McGregor, M. Brady, and Dr Buist. The four competitors who won their ties, and who thus play off the second round are :- Messrs W. Peattie, Syd Christie, M. Brady and Dr Buist. The second round will be played next Saturday.
On the same day a prize of one dozen patent all-white golf balls, generously given by Mr R. Henderson, Hydropathic, was played for. The following tied for the prize, and consequently divided the balls among them, Viz, Messrs D.T. Reid, Syd Christie, and M. Brady." (Perthshire Advertiser 20.10.1897)
"On Saturday the second round of the competition for the absolute possession of the club’s monthly medal was played over the Laighills course. The result was that Mr Sydney Christie beat Mr W. Peattie and Mr M. Brady beat Dr Buist. The final between messrs Christie and Brady will be played off next Saturday."
(Perthshire Advertiser 27.10.1897)
"On Saturday the final tie for the absolute possession of the monthly medal was played over the Laighills course. The two finalists were Messrs Syd Christie and M. Brady, and the former ran out the winner by 4 holes up and 3 to play. The medal now becomes the property of Mr Christie." (Perthshire Advertiser 3.11.1897)
"On Saturday afternoon a match was palyed over the Laighills course, Dunblane, between teams representing Dunblane Hydro Club and Stirling Club – 12 men a-side – when the home team won by 27 holes. The scores were :-
Dunblane Stirling
J. Roberts ……………………….. 0 D.B. Murray ………………………….. 1
Syd Christie ……………………. 0 C. Cochrane ………………………….. 0
R. Blair ………………………… 1 A.M.M. Bell ………………………… 0
Tom Barty ……………………… 8 T.H. Todd ……………………………. 0
S. Fowlis ……………………….. 2 D. Mills ……………………………… 0
A.B. Barty ……………………….. 2 D.A. Miller ………………………….. 0
M. Brady ………………………… 0 J. C. Smith ……………………………. 4
J. McLaren ………………………. 1 H.S. Gemmel ………………………… 0
-- Munn …………………………. 0 J.S. McGregor ………………………... 0
J. McLaughlan …………………… 1 R.D. Fraser ……………………………. 0
D.T. Reid ………………………… 11 D. Watson ……………………………. 0
J. McGregor …………………….. 6 G. Murray …………………………… 0
32 5
(Perthshire Advertiser 29.6.1898)
"The annual general meeting of the Dunblane Hydropathic Golf Club was held in the courtroom on Wednesday night Mr R. Henderson, presiding. There was a good turnout of members.
The following office bearers were elected :- President, Rev Dr Blair ; Vice- President, Mr James Barty ; Captain, Mr R. Henderson ; Secretary, Mr C. Townsend ; Committee, Messrs W. Beattie, A. McGillvray, James Lennox, J. Roberts, Thomas Kinmonth, and Dr Buist.
The subscription was fixed at 10s for ordinary members, and for Artisans and Youths under 30, 5s." (Perthshire Advertiser 3.5.1899)
"A general meeting of the golf club was held in the Procurator’s room on Friday night. The committee reported as to what had taken place at their meeting with the representatives of the Hydropathic and an agreement between the Hydropathic company and the Golf Club handing the management of the course over to the latter was approved of and signed.
A green committee was appointed, and the services of an extra man are at once to be secured with the view of having the course better kept. A new scale of charges for daily, weekly, and monthly tickets is to be prepared, and family tickets are also to be issued.
The yearly subscription to the course is as before, 10s and 5s but the annual subscription to the club is to be raised to 4s and 2s.
It is expected that the course will be vastly improved under the new management.
(Stirling Journal 28.5.1909)
"The competition for the Monthly Medal was played on the Dunblane course on Saturday afternoon, with the following result :- Robert Hendry, 83 less 6 = 77 ; W.P. Kinnaird, 81 ( Scratch ) ; Robert McGregor, 86 less 4 = 82 ; H. Heywood Bell, 79 plaus 2 = 81." (Oban Times 30.3.1911)
Dunblane Municipal Golf Club. “Dunblane Town Council recently took over from the Hydropathic Company the golf course which they had carried on for a great many years, and on Saturday it was formally opened under it’s new auspices. Councillor Ball welcomed the company, and drove off the first ball in a mixed foursomes competition.” (Scotsman 2.9.1918)
Dunblane Old Club Wound Up.
"The Dunblane New Golf Club ( Ltd ) having now taken over the work performed by the old club, a special general meeting of the latter was held, at which resolutions were submitted and unanimously approved for the winding up of it’s activities. With the funds in hand it was agreed to purchase and to offer to the new club, for annual competition among the members and local players, a trophy to be called “ The Old Club Trophy.” (Scotsman 27.6.1924)
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