Glasgow Golf Club, founded in May 1787, is the ninth oldest golf club in the world. It has changed location several times during its history, but has been based at Killermont in

Bearsden Bearsden () is a town in East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, on the northwestern fringe of Greater Glasgow. Approximately from Glasgow city centre, Glasgow City Centre, the town is effectively a suburb, and its housing development coincided with t ...

since 21 May 1904. The Club is unusual in also having a links course, at Gailes, near

Irvine Irvine may refer to: Places On Earth Antarctica *Irvine Glacier *Mount Irvine (Antarctica) Australia *Irvine Island *Mount Irvine, New South Wales Canada *Irvine, Alberta * Irvine Inlet, Nunavut United Kingdom *Irvine, North Ayrshire, Scotla ...

, on the Ayrshire coast, some 35 miles away.

History

Glasgow Golf Club (Geograph-2103750-by-G-Laird)

The club was founded in May 1787, the first golf club in the west of Scotland, and now the ninth oldest golf club in the world. Its first Secretary was

Lawrence Craigie Laurence or Lawrence Craigie (c.1750–c.1833) was an 18th/19th century Scottish merchant and local politician who twice served as Lord Provost of Glasgow. Life He was the eldest son of John Craigie of Kilgraston, son of Lawerence Craigie (a Baro ...

and it was presided over by Cpt. James Clark. It was first established at

Glasgow Green Glasgow Green is a park in the east end of Glasgow, Scotland, on the north bank of the River Clyde. Established in the 15th century, it is the oldest park in the city. It connects to the south via the St Andrew's Suspension Bridge. History In ...

by 22 men, wealthy merchants and army officers, who would have obtained a permit for the playing of golf in this public space from the town council. The club met here between 1787 and 1794, at which point, active military service in the

Napoleonic Wars The Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) were a series of major global conflicts pitting the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European states formed into various coalitions. It produced a period of Fren ...

reduced the number of available players below practical levels. Golf playing recommenced in 1809 and remained at Glasgow Green until 1835 despite some municipal drainage works making the location somewhat unpleasant for leisure activities. In 1870, the club started to expand, initially at Queen's Park, but moving just four years later to Alexandra Park. There was one further move to Blackhill (in 1895) before the current course at Killermont was secured for private play. It was during this phase of the club's history that the Gailes Links,

Irvine, Ayrshire Irvine ( ; sco, Irvin,
gd, Irbhinn, IPA: The Killermont course is based in the grounds of the B-listed

Georgian Georgian may refer to: Common meanings * Anything related to, or originating from Georgia (country) ** Georgians, an indigenous Caucasian ethnic group ** Georgian language, a Kartvelian language spoken by Georgians **Georgian scripts, three scrip ...

neoclassical style Killermont House, built in 1805 by the Campbell-Colquhoun family. It was leased for a 20-year period by Glasgow Golf Club in the autumn of 1903, and a permanent tenancy was agreed in 1922. A similar arrangement with the Colquhoun family is in place with

Loch Lomond Golf Club Loch Lomond Golf Club is located in Luss, Argyll & Bute, Scotland on the shore of Loch Lomond. The course occupies land previously held by Clan Colquhoun and includes the clan's seat of Rossdhu House as its clubhouse. History While Clan Colquho ...

, which has occupied Rossdhu House and the accompanying grounds at

Luss Luss (''Lus'', 'herb' in Gaelic) is a village in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, on the west bank of Loch Lomond. The village is within the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. History Historically in the County of Dunbarton, its origina ...

since 1993. In 1924 the land on which the Gailes Links course lies was bought from the Duke of Portland. The Killermont course does not encourage visitors (except for member's guests), but it is possible to play as a visitor on the Gailes course.

Course details

Killermont is a par-70, parkland course of , designed in 1904 by

Old Tom Morris Thomas Mitchell Morris (16 June 1821 – 24 May 1908), otherwise known as Old Tom Morris, and The Grand Old Man of Golf, was a Scottish golfer. He was born in St Andrews, Fife, the "home of golf" and location of the St Andrews Links, and died t ...

. The course was altered in 1924 by James Braid, lengthening some of the holes by moving tees further back from the greens and by adding and changing bunkers. Gailes is a par-71, championship golf links of with heather-lined fairways. The current layout was designed by

Willie Park Jnr William Park Jr. (4 February 1864 – 22 May 1925) was a Scottish professional golfer. He won The Open Championship twice. Park was also a successful golf equipment maker and golf writer. In his later years, Park built a significant career as on ...

in 1912. It is the only Open Championship Final Qualifying course in Scotland to be selected by

The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews is one of the oldest golf clubs in the world. It is a private members-only club based in St Andrews in Scotland. It was previously known colloquially as "The R&A", but in 2004, a new organisation kn ...

from 2014 to 2017.

Arms

References

External links

Official website

Official website of Gailes Links
{{Authority control 1787 establishments in Scotland Sports clubs established in the 1780s Golf clubs and courses in East Dunbartonshire Sports venues in Glasgow Sports venues in North Ayrshire Sport in East Dunbartonshire Organisations based in East Dunbartonshire Category B listed buildings in East Dunbartonshire Bearsden Glasgow Green

History

Course details

Arms

See also

References

External links