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Polmont (Blair Lodge) Golf Club, Falkirk. (1890 - 1960s)

Founded 1890 and originally known as Blair Golf Club, at this time it was located in the grounds of Blair Lodge School (later known as Blair Lodge Institution).

In July 1891 Old Tom Morris visited Blair Lodge School to advise on the lay out of the initial 14-hole undulating course.

Interesting press report from July 1891 on the Blair Lodge course. “Blair Lodge School has just entered into possession of a considerable extent of ground on its immediate vicinity, which it is intended to utilise for the purposes of golf. The farm of Roughhaugh, extending to about sixty acres, has bee acquired by Mr Cooke Gray, the head master of the institution, on a lease, and it is on this ground that a golf course for the use of the school will be laid out within the next few weeks. The farm consists of seven large parks, all under old pasture, and the ground is naturally well adapted to the “Royal and Ancient” game. Old Tom Morris of St Andrews, visited Blair Lodge last week and went over the ground, with which he was very favourably impressed. On his recommendation it is proposed to lay down fourteen holes, the number having been restricted in the meantime, so that the course may embrace, so far as possible, long sporting holes. In the majority of the holes the line of play is over hedgerows separating the various parks, in one part of the ground whins form an excellent hazard, and the last two holes of the round are particularly sporting by reason of a burn having to be avoided. With a gentle slope upwards from east to west, the ground is better adapted because of this rise and fall. The bottom is firm and the turf strong, and although the grass is long in some parts, play will very soon remove this drawback. Where necessary, putting greens will be made by lifting and relaying the turf, and when this is done, nothing but play will be required to make the course an excellent one”

Thanks to Melvin Morrow for supplying the above information and for all his help, particularly with the Old Tom Morris designed courses that appear on the website.

The club was renamed Polmont Golf Club in the early 1900s.

Result of the February medal at Blair in 1900, Joseph Hunter with a score of 83.

Result of the February medal at Blair in 1900, Joseph Hunter with a score of 83.

In April 1900 the golf club took on Blair Lodge School, result below.

Result of the July medal at Blair in 1901, Mr Spiers 90 – 18 – 72.

Opening of the new course at Gilston, Polmont, in November 1901.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 16 November 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Interesting to note that in the 1903 February medal the result was under the name of Polmont Golf Club; J H Biggar, 101 – 19 – 82; J Hunter, 93 – 8 – 85; J Sorley, 95 – 10 – 85; T Shanks, 107 – 20 – 87; C W Robinson, 96 – 5 – 91; T Bennie, 100 – 8 – 92; J Ballantine, 101 – 11 – 90; A Campbell 129 – 25 – 104.

The captain in 1904 was Mr C W Robinson and the vice-captain Mr J Hunter.

Below is the result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 6 February 1904.

Result of a club match played on Saturday March 19 1904 against Falkirk on the Tryst course.

Below is the result of the May medal 1904.

On Saturday 14 May 1904 the Polmont club travelled to Stirling to play Stirling Victoria.

In August 1904 Mr Andrew Hunter, Merchant, Edinburgh presented the club with the impressive championship shield. The trophy was to be played for annually and would remain in the keeping of Mr Robinson, the club captain. In addition to having his name inscribed on the shield the winner would receive a prize from Mr Hunter.

There was a large attendance at the annual meeting which was held at the U.F Church Schoolroom on Saturday 3 December 1904, Mr J W Tweedie of Polmont Bank, president of the club, was in the chair, and, in the course of his remarks, referred to the success of the club during the past year at Gilston. The secretary produced the financial statement, which showed the club was in a sound position financially. The prizes were presented to the spring tournament winners, J W Scott and William Drysdale. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year; president, J W Tweedie; captain, C W Robinson; vice-captain, Joseph Hunter; secretary, J W Biggar; treasurer, J Jordan; committee, J W Scott, R Thomson, J Harvey, T Gibson, James Hay, T Shanks and Colin Maxwell.

Result of the December 1904 medal; James Hay, 96-12-84; Joseph Hunter, 88-3-85; Colin Maxwell, 96-9-87; W Gardner, 102-12-90; T Shanks, 94-2-92; R Thomson, 105-13-92, T Bennie, 93 scratch; James Hay jun, 104-10-94.

From the Nisbet's Golf Yearbook 1905; Instituted 1892; Hon. secretary - J W Biggar, M.A., Duncraggan, Polmont Station; Captain, C W Robinson; Entrance Fee £1 and Subs £1; 9-holes; Amateur record, 80; Visitors, 1s a day, 2s/6d a week, 5s a month. This is an undulating course on sandy and gravelly soil. There are natural hazards consisting of a barn, a wall, hedges and fences. 

Result of a match played at Polmont against Grangemouth Golf Club in September 1912.

Below is the result of a match played at Bathgate in July 1923.

During the 1960s part of the course on the Lathallan Estate was lost due to road development.

New course record in August 1923.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 11 August 1923.Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played at Polmont against Bathgate in May 1924.

Result of a match played in May 1930.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 31 May 1930. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The annual meeting was held in the Masonic Hall, Brightons, in February 1937, R B Waddell presided , and the following officers were elected; Hon. president, J Harper-Orr; president, R B Waddell; vice-president, R W Brown; captain, J Cumming; vice-captain, A D Keir; hon. secretary, J Cumming; hon. treasurer, M O Robertson.

Result of a match against Falkirk in May 1937.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 8 May 1937. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting held in January 1939.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 4 February 1939. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1947 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 212; secretary - James B Stirling, Vicroft, Polmont; green-keeper, T Hunter; 9-holes, SSS68; amateur course record - D McKenzie, 65; visitors, 1s/6d a day, 3s/6d a week, 7s/6d a month; no Sunday play.

Report on prize presentation in December 1948.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 18 December 1948. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1951; Membership 180; Secretary - R C Logan, 30 Wallace Crescent, Brightons; green-keeper, D Turpie; visitors, 2s a day, 10s a week, 25s a month; Sunday play 3 shillings.

Report on the annual meeting held in December 1951.

Falkirk Herald Saturday 27 January 1951. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1956/7; Membership 200; Secretary - J Inglis, jun., 45 Bellevue, Polmont; green-keeper, B Ure; 9-holes, 2,800 yards, SSS66; amateur course record - J W Mitchell, 68.

Golfer's Handbook 1961; Membership 250; Secretary, J S Morrison; green-keeper, W Swanston; 9-holes, 2,630 yards, SSS67; amateur course record - I Charleston, 68,

Golfer's Handbook 1964 -66; Membership 160; Secretary - J Inglis, jun., 38 Grahams Road, Falkirk; green-keeper, J Main, visitors, 5s a day, 7s/6d at weekend, £1 a week, £2 a month.

Golfer's Handbook 1972 to 1975; Secretary, A Anderson; Membership 150; 9-holes, 5,605 yards, SSS 66; Amateur Course Record; M Brown, 66; Visitors, 30p (40p).

Golfer's Handbook 1972; Secretary, P Lees; Membership 200; 9-holes, 2,750 yards, SSS 69; Amateur Course Record; J Welsh, 74; Visitors, £1.50 (£2).

Location of the Blair Lodge course in the late 1890s. Grid reference NS92045,78040, co-ordinates 292045,678040.

The Polmont course in the 1930s. Grid reference NS94655,78130, co-ordinates 294655,678130.

The club moved to a new course at Maddiston in the mid 1970s.