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Stornoway Golf Club, Melbost Links. (1890 - 1947)
Founded in 1890.
The original 9-hole course was laid out by Alexander McHardy where the airport is now situated. The course was eventually extended to 18-holes by Joseph Dalgleish, the Nairn professional, in 1908.
Below is a report on the opening of the Melbost Links in July 1890.
From the Inverness Courier Friday 25 July 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
On Saturday 11 October 1890 the first monthly competition took place for Major Jackson’s Medal. The weather was not good, a strong gusty wind prevailing making play difficult. After a keen contest and an exciting finish William Maclennan won with a score of 102.
Although rather tenuous agreements had been reached between the golfers and the crofters there always seemed to be an underlying tension between the two.
It was reported in the Glasgow Herald in April 1891 that the difficulty between the Stornoway Golf Club and the crofters of Melbost and Branahine was creating much discussion. The club were paying the crofters £4 a year for the use of the course, and this was considered a fair rental. But on Saturday 11th April a group of the crofters appeared on the scene demanding that play must cease unless a rent of £50 was paid. In support of this incredible demand the crofters stated that when the rent was first set the membership was very small, and it was for this reason that the rent was £4. There had now been a significant increase in membership as well as many more visitors playing on the course. Even taking this into account the demands of the crofters appeared extreme. A meeting was to take place between the two sides to hopefully reach a settlement.
Settlement reached.
Ross-shire Journal Friday 15 January 1892.Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Postcard of “The Gullies” Stornoway Golf Course in the 1920s. Authors Collection.
The course was laid out on common grazing land, and, looking through the pages of this website, the same theme is always apparent in this situation, that is that golfers, farmers, walkers, and the public in general, rarely have a harmonious relationship. The location of the course can be seen on the map below.
From "Golf" Friday 25 May 1894; Stornoway; Nine-holes (fair).
Ordnance Survey Map Revised 1895 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1898}.
The report below is from 1901 and describes the area and the golf course.
From the North Star and Farmers’ Chronicle Thursday 1 August 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From John Sutherland’s Golf Causerie 1908.
Mention of the extension of the course to 18-holes in November 1912.
From the North Star and Farmers’ Chronicle Thursday 7 November 1912. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
During 1913 the club set out on a fund raising campaign to build a new clubhouse, this was achieved with a sum of over £500 being reached. Dr Murray presided at the opening which was carried out by Provost Mackenzie.
The Stornoway Golf Pavilion. Image courtesy of Frank Accleton golfonoldpicturepostcards.com
Result of a match played on the Melbost Links between teams captained by Rear-Admiral Tupper and Provost Mackenzie in August 1915.
| Rear-Admiral Tupper | 1 | Provost Mackenzie | 0 |
| Major Kilner | 1 | John Macrae | 0 |
| Lieutenant Boyd | 1 | J C Smith | 0 |
| Dr. Martin | 1 | W J Mackenzie | 0 |
| Lieutenant Commander Craig | 0 | R K Drummond | 1 |
| Assistant Paymaster Pooley | 1 | R Smith | 0 |
| 5 | 1 |
Disputes continue in September 1924.
The Scotsman Wednesday 17 September 1924. Image © Johnston Press plc.
In August 1925 Jack Stokes, professional at Stonehaven, was appointed professional at Stonehaven.
From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Stornoway Golf Club (Ross-shire); Membership 200; Hon. secretary - W Lees, 31 Matheson Road, Stornoway; Professional and green-keeper, R MacIntosh; 18-holes; Amateur course record - A Leitch, 77; Pier at Stornoway, 2 miles; Visitors - 2 shillings a day, 5s a week, 12s/6d a month, ladies half fees; No Sunday play.
Golfer's Handbook 1933; Membership 250; Secretary - C Mackenzie, 30 James Street, Stornoway; Professional and green-keeper, R MacIntosh; 18-holes; Amateur course record - S McGill, 72; Pier at Stornoway, 2 miles; Visitors - 2 shillings a day, 5s a week, 15s a month; No Sunday play.
Report on the annual meeting in January 1934.
Aberdeen Press and Journal Saturday 20 January 1934. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Golfer's Handbook 1937 to 1947; Membership 250; Secretary - A M Tweddle, National Bank, Stornoway; Professional and green-keeper, R MacIntosh; 18-holes, par 71; Amateur course record - J T Bookless, 70; Pier at Stornoway, 2 miles; Visitors - 2 shillings a day, 5s a week, 15s a month; No Sunday play.
During the 1930s the club would have to face another problem. It was becoming apparent during the mid 1930s that with the steady encroachment of the airfield the club would eventually have to find a new home. Because of the airport development the green-keeper was constantly having to re-jig the layout of the course around the ever expanding runways. In 1940 some of the clubhouse buildings and what was left of the course was requisitioned for the war effort and by the end of the year the club’s activities were suspended. The fairways and greens had been cut for the last time on the old course.
Following a compensation settlement after the war the club moved to its new course in 1947.