Roberton Golf Club, South Lanarkshire. (1892 - WW1)

Founded in 1892.

The club continued until the outbreak of WW1. A 9 hole course, the Rev H L Dick held the course record of 32 in the early 1890s.

In 1900 the secretary was T B Rankin, Schoolhouse, Roberton.

In 1906/7 the secretary was M A J Graham, Roberton, the captain was Rev H Littledale-Dick. The original 9 hole course with numerous hazards was laid out by Willie Fernie of Troon and was soon to be altered and hopefully enlarged. Course record holder on the present course, Rev H L Dick 72. Club membership of 50. The station at Lamington (Caledonian Railway) was 2 miles away. Visitors’ fees 1/- a day, 2/- a week and 5/- a month, family ticket was 12/6. Local hotel was the Abington.

 

Roberton Golf Club, South Lanarkshire. Roberton from the golf course.

Roberton from the golf course.

 

In 1908 there was a new course record, T T Gray 72.

Roberton Golf Club, South Lanarkshire. Location of the former golf course.

Location of the Roberton course in 1912. Grid reference NS93800,28765, co-ordinates 293800,628765.

 

The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Hamilton Advertiser in 14th February 1914.

"Some time ago a movement was set to provide a new nine-hole course for Roberton and district. Negotiations were opened up with representatives of the Earl of Home for ground for this purpose. Suitable ground on the lands of Longwell Farm and extending to approximately 90 acres has been secured on a long lease.The course extends from the Roberton Parish Church Glebe to the Longwell Plantation, immediately to the north of the Stirling and Carlisle Road.

The course has been planned and laid out by the well known professional, Willie Fernie, Troon, who reports "After going over the ground at Roberton, I consider it will make a first class course. The undulations of the ground on the golfing line are splendid, and the turf is fine old turf. The soil is of a sandy nature, which will enable fine sandy bunkers to be made throughout the course equal to seaside bunkers. The greens, with one or two exceptions, are all natural. The course is beautifully situated and I do not know of anything better for scenery and a health resort." The club has taken up a strong management, as follows; President, Right Hon. Lord Dunglass; vice president, Right Hon.Lord Lamington; captain,  John S Forsyth of Hillend; secretary,  A H Colthart, Roberton; treasurer, Rev George P Walllace;  Right Hon. Lord Newlands; Hon. William Watson, K.C., M.P; Captain Wilson McQueen of Hardington; Lieut. Col. Grierson of Wyndales; R D MacGregor of Wiston Lodge; R W Forsyth, Hillend; A C King Motherwell; Dr Robert Grove, Glasgow; A K McCosh, Airdrie; Dr McLay, Hamilton; J Robertson, Glasgow; J A Blackie, Glasgow.      

The work of laying out the ground is being carried on during the winter months, and will be pushed rapidly forward. It is hoped to have the course ready for play in early in May. In order to bring the course and greens up to first class order, no reasonable expence will be spared by the club. There is no entrance fee, and subscriptions are extremely moderate for a first class golf course. Regular monthly medal and other competitions will be held."

With the outbreak of WW1 on the horizon the hopes for this new course were probably dashed.

The Google Map below shows the location of the earlier course.

 

Regular contributor to lost Clydesdale clubs and courses, Alfie Ward, informed us of  another defunct club in Roberton. Kilpotlees & Meadowhead c1914 had a short lived nine-hole course. Foundations of the clubhouse can still be seen about 50 yards from the roadside. The location of the former course can be seen on the Google Map below.