Fettercairn Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. (1890 - 1906)

Founded in 1890.

The six-hole course was laid out on farmland belonging to William Middleton at Balnakettle. 

 

Fettercairn Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. Report on the formation of the club.

From the Stonehaven Journal Thursday 2 October 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

From the Golfing Annual Vol. V - 1891-92; "Fettercairn Golf Club, Instituted February 17th 1891; Number of Members, 30; President, Sir J R Gladstone, Bart., of Fasque; Vice-President - Hon. C J Trefusis, Fettercairn House; Captain, Rev. A Belcher; Secretary and Treasurer - Robert Murray, Mains of Fasque, Fettercairn; Committee - W Middleton, A Neil and J Murray.

Club Prizes; Balfour Medal (handicap) monthly. Winners in 1891; J Murray, 93; R Milne, 96; J Murray, 88; W Clark, 82; D A Duncan, 88; J B Mackie, 78; R Murray, 88. 

The course of nine-holes is at Balnakettle, about two miles from the village of Fettercairn. There is a respectable hotel in Fettercairn." 

 

Fettercairn Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. Report on a meeting held in February 1891.

Golf Friday 27 February 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

In March 1891 the The Right Hon. A J Balfour sent £1 to the Fettercairn Golf Club. It was proposed that the club purchase a badge which would be called The Balfour Medal, to be competed for monthly.

The winner of the Balfour Medal in August 1891 was J J Murray with a score of 88 net. 

The winner of the Balfour Medal in October 1891 was D A Duncan with a net score of 88.

In June 1893 Fettercain played a 13 a side match against Brechin. Fettercairn won the match by 7 holes.

It was reported in the Dundee Advertiser November 1893 that “Those interested in the Fettercairn Golf Club will be sorry to hear that the nice Golf House so recently erected at the course has been wholly lifted by the wind, and blown down the hill.”

 

Fettercairn Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. Report on a club match against Auchinblae in June 1898.

From the Dundee Courier Saturday 25 June 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the course and clubhouse.

 

Fettercairn Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. O.S. Map from the 1900s showing the course and clubhouse..

O.S. Map Revised 1900; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1904}.

 

In 1906 the secretary was B G Sawyer, Gordon Villa, Fettercairn, near Laurencekirk. A six-hole course on which visitors played free on introduction by a member. The station at Laurencekirk was 7 miles away. Local hotel was the Ramsay Arms.

The above was the last entry found for the Fettercairn Golf Club.

 

Fettercairn Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. Location of the golf course at Mains of Balnakettle.

Location of the Fettercairn golf course.

 

The nearby Laurencekirk Golf Club was formed in 1911 (see separate entry for Laurencekirk.)

In May 1944 the death was reported of Mr William Middleton, aged 85. “He liked a game of golf and very generously gave free access to the braes of his farm to Fettercairn Golf Club as long as it lasted.”