Craigellachie Golf Club, Moray. (1898 - 1950s)
Initial proposals for a golf club and course at Haughs of Collargreen were made in May 1898. These were carried through and the course opened on the 8 August 1898.
Report from The Banffshire Journal & General Advertiser 10 May 1898 - “Craigellachie – Proposed New Golf Club – Last night, a meeting was held in the Hotel of those Favourable to the formation of a golf club, Mr Edgar occupied the chair. It was unanimously agreed that a club be formed, and Mr Anderson, banker, was authorised to procure the services of a professional to lay out the course. Mr Edgar, who had leased the Collar Green Haugh for a course, expressed his willingness to defray all expences in the laying out of the course, and said that he would put aside a room in the Hotel to be utilised as a club room on the condition that the members would assist him in making the club a success. This was considered a very handsome offer. Mr Edgar has had such professionals as Tom Morris looking over the haugh, and all of them reported most favourably as to its suitability for a nine-hole course. This should prove an important addition to the many attractions Craigellachie possesses for summer visitors.”
Edinburgh Evening News Thursday 16 June 1898 - "New Golf Course at Craigellachie - A new nine-hole golf course has been mapped out at Collar Green, Craigellachie, and is expected to be opened by September."
Aberdeen Press and Journal Saturday 6 August 1898 - "The new golf course at Craigellachie is now in condition for play and is to be formally opened on Monday by Mr J R Findlay of Aberlour and Craigellachie, who will make the first drive. The course was laid out by Archie Simpson, Aberdeen."
Reports on the opening of the course in August 1898.
The earlier club must have become defunct as it was reported in January 1913 that a meeting of the Town Council was held on Thursday 23 when it was unanimously decided to ask the laird, Mr J R Findlay of Aberlour, if he would be willing to let Haugh for a golf course, and on what terms.
The secretary from the 1920s to the club’s closure was Miss M Carcery and the green-keeper J McVean. An excellent 9-hole course of 5,000yds laid out alongside the River Spey with magnificent scenery. Visitors’ fees were 1/6d a day, and Sunday play was allowed. The licensed clubhouse also served meals and was just 200yds from the centre of town. The railway station was ½ mile away.
Picture of the new course under construction in March 1936.
Report and picture at the opening of the new course in May 1936.
Below is the result of a match played at the Craigellachie Hotel course against Dufftown Golf Club in June 1937. It was stated that this was “the first inter-club match to be played over the Craigellachie Hotel Golf Course”. Mr Jardine Whyte, chairman of Craigellachie Hotel, welcomed the players, and Major Gordon, Dufftown, spoke on behalf of the visitors.
The best nine-hole score was returned by William Wood of Dufftown with a score of 37.
Craigellachie Golf Club | Dufftown Golf Club | ||
J Cumming | 0 | R W Symon | 1 |
Reverend D S McKenzie | 1 | W Wood | 0 |
A Ross | 0 | R McDonald | 1 |
J Watt | 0 | J A S Gordon | 1 |
H Humble | 1 | J Bryson | 0 |
J Joice | 0 | G C Chessor | 1 |
P McDonald | 1 | T Edmund | 0 |
P Wilson (half) | 0 | S W Brodie (half) | 0 |
J McKenzie | 0 | James Smith | 1 |
J B McDonald | 1 | N Scott | 0 |
W Treacher | 0 | J McDonald | 1 |
J Lawrence | 0 | W Gordon | 1 |
A G McDonald | 1 | W H G Gordon | 0 |
A Fischer | 0 | W Shiach | 1 |
5 | 8 |
The club continued to the late 1950s although play was suspended during WW2.