The History of the Glen Golf Club, North Berwick

Ben Sayers

It was to be much later in April, 1893, before plans were discussed by the Town Council, not for a golf course, but for a public park, where the more youthful inhabitants could play football and other games. Provost Brodie raised the matter, with Sir Walter Hamilton Dalrymple, who was quite agreeable to giving a piece of land near the Glen at an agricultural rent. The public park did not materialise, why we do not know, but within twelve months a nine-hole private golf course was laid out measuring 2310 yards with a par of 35.

The course was formally opened in April 1894 by Sir Walter Hamilton Dalrymple, followed by a match between Ben Sayers and Hugh Kirkcaldy (Open Champion 1891) from Oxford, both of who had just returned from Machrihanish. After a close game of two rounds, or 18 holes, the match went in favour of the Oxford professional by 83 to 87. Meanwhile, golf had become well established on the West Links.

The popularity of golf rapidly increased in North Berwick, resulting in over-crowding of the West Links, and the Town Council of the time realised the only way to meet the demands of golfers was to expand the Rhodes land.

A special meeting was called on 20^th February, 1905, extending an invitation to all interested parties, at which a decision was proposed for the acquisition of more land to the east of the town for the provision of a new Burgh Course. Within a year Ben Sayers and James Braid were employed to design and supervise the extension of the Rhodes Links to 18 holes and in 1906 The Glen Golf Club was constituted.

From a 1920 guide to North Berwick: "For many years the congestion of players on the West Course was a matter of much concern to the Corporation, affecting, as it did, the prosperity of the whole community and many and anxious efforts were made to secure additional golfing ground. It was found impossible to secure this at the west end of the town, but ultimately, in 1905, the Town Council succeeded in acquiring, under Provisional Order from Sir Walter H. Dalrymple, Bart., ground at the east end of the town, on which a magnificent course has been formed.
This course, which extends from Tantallon Terrace to Canty Bay, was laid off by James Braid, the ex-Open Champion, and Bernard Sayers, the local professional, and was opened for full play in April 1908.
It consists of 18 holes and is about 3 1/2 miles in length ..."

Left: the original Burgh Golf Club House circa 1920

The Burgh Golf Course, from a 1920 Guide to North Berwick: "... it is a full 18-hole one [course] extending over 3 1/2 miles. It stretches along the coast eastwards from Tantallon Terrace. The varying character of the ground makes the round full of interest, and is a fair criterion of good golf. To ensure first-class turf in the driest season a full water supply is laid on throughout the whole course. The fresh breezes from the North Sea have proved it to be a rare Summer Course ..."

Terms

Daily Tickets, 1/6. (During June, July, August and September, 2/6). Weekly, 8/6. Fortnightly, 12/6. Monthly, £1. Yearly, £1 5/-

Right: "On the East Golf Course".

Ben Sayers talking to
Bobby Jones before the
1921 Open at St. Andrews

James Braid in 1950

Over the years there have been a variety of feats accomplished by Glen golfers. D. R. Montgomery, who retired from the post of Secretary in 1998, was the first holder of that position who had been Club Champion (1965). Bobby Walker was the first (and so far only) Junior Champion to win the ‘A’ Club Championship (a feat repeated in 2004). Scott Hunter is the only winner (so far) of the ‘B’ Championship to go on to claim the ‘A’ Championship.

Some key items from 1906 onwards are recorded as follows:

Mr. L. M. Balfour Melville struck the first ball on the new 18-hole course. He was an accomplished Scottish sportsman having represented Scotland internationally in hockey as well as in golf.

June, 1908 - both The Glasgow Herald and The Scotsman newspapers remarked on the equal status of ladies - believed to be the first club in the country to afford them "all privileges of membership"

1915-1916 saw the first real crisis - a huge revenue loss owing to war service and the stopping of privilege rail tickets by the National War Committee. This led to the clubhouse having to be given up, the suspension of all Club Rules 'for the duration' and the setting up of a Provost's Viability Committee.

1930 - the name Glen Golf Club was adopted.

1934 - the Ladies Section was added, the first Lady Captain being Miss F. J. Robertson

9/2/51 - the first minuted mention of the Junior section can be found

1964 - Mr. T. W. Hawes became the first Club Champion

1975 - Mr. R. J. Walker won the initial Glen Junior Championship.

1977 - the Senior Championship was introduced with Mr. R. R. Knox claiming the first title.

1984 - Mr. G. Shiells (Sr.) won the inaugural ‘B’ Championship. He later won the Seniors Championship.

1990 - the Ladies section began its Club Championship with Miss Kate Miller taking the first title.

2001 - the Glen Juniors section is awarded the Junior Charter in recognition of the Club's efforts in providing an environment for the development of junior golf.

2002 & 2003 Winners R & A Rules of Golf Scottish Region. Teams members: Robbie Douglas, Kevin Fish, Alex Lafferty, Charlie Shearer, Murray Austin, David Montgomery, Ron Todd

2004 R & A Rules of Golf Winners Great Britain & Northern Ireland. Team members: Charlie Shearer, Jim Davidson, John Foley, Ron Todd. Team Manager: Robbie Douglas

The first Captain at the club (who oversaw the expansion of the course) was G. Dalziel in 1906 when the North Berwick Corporation Links Club was formed. It was to be in the year 1930 when the name Glen Golf Club was adopted.	James Braid, 5 times Open Champion
The opening match of the North Berwick Corporation Links Club. Mr. L. M. Balfour tees off in front of a large gallery