Forgotten Greens of Scotland
Forgotten Greens of Scotland

Fauldhouse

Fauldhouse Golf Club.  Instituted 1894.  The club had five courses at four different locations. The first was a 7-hole course at Greenburn, situated in the centre of the village. It then moved to Eastfield in 1896, before returning to Greenburn in 1899. After being revived after WW1, it moved to a new course at Croftfoot Farm on 1920, before finally settling at  Fallahill farm in 1921.

Formation of Club

 

   “A few enthusiasts met in St Johns Hall on Tuesday night, and formed a golf club for this district. Mr A. Chalmers, wine and spirit merchant, presided. A number of gentlemen gave in their names to become members, and it was agreed to ask Mr Peter Thornton, Coalmaster, to become President of the club.

   The following office bearers were elected:- Vice President, Mr H.A. Forsyth ; Secretary, Mr R. Giffen, Treasurer, Mr Alex Chalmers; Committee – Messrs D Maxwell, R. Johnston, R. Grant and W. Thomson.

   The course is situated in the centre of the village. One of the outstanding features of the course is that little difficulty has been experienced as to bunkers and hazards. Belts and patches of rushes and ditches have been utilised as hazards, and most effectual they are. The course is a seven hole one, and extends to about a mile. It is very conveniently situated as regards trains. Fauldhouse Station and the Caledonian Railway and Crofthead Station on the North British Railway being within about four minutes walk from the first tee. The course will be opened about the 8th September.”

   (WLC 1.9.1894)

Opening Of Course 1

 

   “The newly formed golf club at Fauldhouse opened their course last Friday afternoon in favourable weather. A large crowd of people witnessed the opening ceremony. A number of Lady friends were also present. The members previous to the opening decided to present Mr Thornton with a club with which to open the course. The club is a handsome “ Driver” with a rosewood handle and a purple heart head. Mr Forsyth in making the presentation said he had much pleasure in handing over the “ Driver” to Mr Thornton, and hoped he might long be spared to use it in the noted game. The inscription of the club is – “ Presented to Peter Thornton, Esq, on the Opening of the Fauldhouse Golf Course – 14th September 1894.”

   Mr Thornton in accepting the present said he had much pleasure in coming forward that day to open the golf course. Crofthead had need of some means of amusement, and he thought golf was one that could be well kept up in the place. It was only a year now since he started to play it, and though long in starting he had enjoyed the game very much. (Applause). Mr Thornton then drove the first ball, and declared the course open.

   The Secretary and Treasurer then picked sides and played a foursome, and after going once round the course the Secretary was found to be five holes in advance of the Treasurer.

   A cake and wine banquet was given in Greenhills School at five o’clock at which there were present Miss Merrie, Miss Henderson, Miss W. Rae, Mr D. Maxwell, Mrs Knight, Miss Brownlie, Mrs W. Steele, Mrs Mitchell, Miss Thomson, Mrs H.A. Forsyth, and the Misses Giffen, also Mr W. Rae, Edinburgh ; Mr O Douglas, St Andrews ; Mr A. Reid, Longridge, Mr J. Meikle, Stonehead ; and Mr Henderson, Manager, Leavenseat ; besides a large number of members. The President proposed the toast of “ The Club” ; Mr Mitchell” The President” ; Mr Giffen “ The Ladies” and Mr Fraser Replied ; Mr Chalmers proposed “ The Visitors” and Mr A. Reid replied. Mr John Muir sung “ Mush Mush “ to the great delight of the company. The toast list being disposed of, the members went out to the course once more, and had an evening’s enjoyment.”   (WLC  22.9.1894) 

The sketch of the layout is from the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch 18.9.1894.

An unusual 7-hole course, but also typical of the times. Trying to get the most from the little ground they had.

Second course

   “Below is the plan of the new nine hole course at Fauldhouse. It measures 1987 yards, and is situated on the lands of Eastfield. The first “tee” is behind the Crofthead Public School. There is a variety of hazards, comprising old railway  cuttings, fences, a burn, and a road, and these present enough difficulties to “foozled” drives.

   The competitions are now on for the medals and the president’s cup, and with other prizes, the season promises to be a busy one.

   A clubhouse is being arranged for, and will be placed near the starting point. The president is Mr Peter Thornton, Shandon Terrace, Einburgh, and the secretary Mr Robert Giffen, National Bank, Fauldhouse.

   No 1. Kirk Hole 260 yds; No 2. North Hole 132 yds; No 3. High Hole 123 yds; No 4. Cricket Hole 180 yds. No 5. Short Hole 115 yds. No 6. Railway Hole 312 yds. No 7. Road Hole 315 yds. No 8. Moss Hole 220 yds. No 9. Home Hole 240 yds.”

  (EED 20.4.1896)

Note : Both the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch and the Glasgow Evening Times published early layout sketches of golf courses from the 1890s to approx 1914. We have most of these sketches in our database.

Return to First site - third course

 

    “Mr Fraser (Secretary and Treasurer) has by dint of perseverance and untiring energy kept the club in a very favourable condition, despite the drawback it received when it changed its playing course. 

    The old course at Greenburn, to which the club returns in May, proved far more attractive than the one upon which golf has been played in Fauldhouse during the latter years, and in face of this difficulty it is pleasing to note that under Mr Fraser’s capable management the club has passed beyond the deep waters of adversity.”    

(WLC 21/1/1899)

New Six Hole Course

 

   “This club opened their new course on Friday and Saturday, 2nd and 3rd June. On Friday, a competition by foursomes took place between teams selected by Dr Thornton and Mr P. Giffen, ending in a win for Dr Thornton’s team by 1 hole. On Saturday, stroke competitions were played. In the senior competitons the winners were – 1, John Muir 2, Thos. Edmonstone 3, Dr Gardner. The first and second tied and on playing off resulted as above. In the novice competition the winners were – 1, J. Williamson Jnr 2, John Campbell 3, Harry Wilson, the second and third tying in the first round.

   The new course consists of six holes and abounds in many natural hazards. The distances between the holes are as follows :- 1st 267 Yards 2nd 227 yards 3rd 181 yards 4th 221 yards 5th 272 yards 6th 303 yards.

   The following office bearers were elected for the ensuing year : - President, Dr Gardner ; Captain, Mr R. Giffen ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Mathew Lawrie ; Green Rangers, Mr Chalmers and Mr Henderson ; Green-Keeper, Mr Thomas Smith.”  

 (WLC 10.6.1899)

   “The club is at present in a very poor way.  The interest in the pastime seems to have died out, as a special meeting of the members was summoned for last Monday to consider whether it was advisable to continue or not.  The meeting was adjourned for a fortnight owing doubtless to the sparse attendance.”    (WLC 24/3/1905)

 

   "After a lengthened period of ’crisis’ Fauldhouse Golf Club has got the turn.  At a meeting on Friday night it was decided to carry on the club, the prospects being a little better than they were some months ago.  Mr W Wood was elected Captain.  To open for the season a competition for prizes has been arranged.   On Saturday, the course was opened in the presence of a goodly number of ladies and gentleman.  After the  competition a match was arranged between the President and the Captain, which ended in victory for the President.  Much credit is due to the greenkeeper for the excellent condition of the course and greens, everything being in capital order."    (WLC 26/5/1905)              

   "A new clubhouse with ample and spacious rooms - ladies’ and a gents’ - was opened."

  (WLC  26/6/1908)

   “Satisfactory arrangements have been concluded with both farmers, and the coming season will see included in the course the two fields known locally as the “Meadow” and “Clark’s” field. 

   Bridges composed of railway sleepers have to be erected where necessary, and a “tee” has been placed at the new bridge crossing the Breich, and from which players will drive up the hill to what at present is the first green.  the course has been re-planned, and will now embrace 9 holes.  The good news is that in the reconstruction scheme the ditched at the west end have been left out.”    (WLC 14/2/1913)

 

The course was closed at the start of WW1.   (GI 2/3/1961)

Fourth course

   “The new course acquired by Fauldhouse GC at Crowfoot Farm was opened for the season on Wednesday 28 April. In the clubhouse Captain Chalmers stated that the course was in excellent order, and that the membership now stands at 50.” 

 (WLC 30/4/1920)

Fifth course

   “The new golf course at Falla Hill was opened last Wednesday evening in presence of a number of members and friends.

   Dr Ogilvy, M.D. who opened the course, said that a number of years back the golf club, impelled by the intention of the farmer to plough up their course at Crowfoot, had decided to transfer to Falla Hill.  The threat to their course had not materialised, so that the Falla Hill idea had been dropped.  On the present occasion, however, the ploughing-up had taken place, and he thought it was a good thing for the club.  They had secured a very fine course, which after a year or two’s play would be the best for a long way round.

   He wished the club every success, and had much pleasure in declaring the course open for play. The time honoured game, Captain  v  Vice Captain was played off, and ended all square.

   On Saturday the Armadale team visited the course and gained a victory over the local by four games to one and three draws. The visitors had some very flattering remarks to make on the new course, and predicted a brilliant future for it.”  

(MA 22.4.1921)

The club closed at the start of WW2.

 

The present club was opened at Greenburn in 1954.

     

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