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Insch Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. (1906 - WW2)

The nine-hole course at Insch opened on Thursday 31 May 1906.

The course was located three-quarters of a mile to the north west of the village at the foot of Dunnideer Hill on land owned by Mr George Cooper who was honorary president of the club. Course description as follows “The first teeing ground is at the top of what is known as the Belts. The longest and best hole is close to the railway and the driving is in the direction of Dunnydeer Mill. For an inland course, golfers, especially the less experienced, will find that it provides ample sporting qualities. The greens at the moment are in somewhat of a primitive state, but if they are well looked after they will soon improve. The membership of the club is about 50. The president of the club is Provost Dawson and the vice-president Dr Davidson. Mr W A Macdonald is captain and Mr A A Middleton should prove an excellent secretary. The club had been fortunate in getting a good and interesting course. The old castle of Dunnydeer stood on the hill behind, and overlooked the grounds; a very fine view of Insch and the surrounding district. Mr Smith of Pittordrie, in the absence of Mr Cooper, declared the course open. Mrs Cooper gracefully drove off the first ball, her performance being heartily cheered. Mr P Ironside, on behalf of the members , presented Mrs Cooper with a driver as a souvenir of the occasion”. G M Munroe, Manse of Insch, Kincraig, was also listed as a secretary in 1906.

Among those present at the opening; Provost Dawson and Mrs Dawson; George Smith of Pittordrie; Mr P Ironside, banker; Colonel Smith; Mr W A Macdonald, solicitor; Allan Cooper and Mrs Cooper, Dunnydeer; Miss Bruce, Inchfield; Miss Simmers, postmistress; Mrs Watson, High Street; George Murray; Rev Peter Bisset, Oyne; Rev William Cruickshank, Leslie; James Innes, Kennethmont; Walter E Barry, Inland Revenue Officer; Mr and Mrs Will, Schholhouse; Mr J Beattie, Emerald Bank; Dr Davidson and Mrs Davidson.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing Hill of Dunnideer.

O.S. Map Revised 1899; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1901}.

The final of the season’s silver medal presented by Provost Dawson was played in November 1906. The contestants were A A Middleton, North of Scotland Bank, and the Rev J Irvine, the Rectory. Mr Middleton won by 7 and 5.

Report on the new course in November 1911.

The Scotsman Wednesday 8 November 1911. Image © Johnston Press plc.

The annual meeting was held in the Public Hall on Monday 10 June 1912. The following officers were appointed; Hon president, C E N Leith Hay; president, Provost Dawson; vice-president, Mr Will, Schoolhouse; captain, J A Saunders, Meadow Bank; vice-captain, Captain W A Macdonald; secretary and treasurer, James Chalmers; committee – Rev John Irvine; Mr Innes, Kennethmont; Mr Wilson, Dunnydeer; George Murray, Alvah Cottage; Mr Anderson, Commercial Bank; Mr Wallace, Rothney.

A meeting of the Insch Feuars Committee was held in the Public Hall on Tuesday 25 June 1912, George M Russell presided. Mr Cruickshank, Lillydale, was appointed keeper of the Recreation Park and it was arranged that the new park be opened on Thursday 4th July. The Hon. Mrs Leith Hay of Leith Hall had agreed to open the golf course and would drive the first ball. This would be followed by an exhibition match between Messrs. Marling and Smith of Aberdeen.   

From the Aberdeen Press an Journal Wednesday 25 September 1912 - "Tomorrow afternoon Alick Marling and George Smith, the professionals for Balgownie and Deeside respectively, are to pay a visit to the new golf course at Insch, and play a game with some of the members. This is to be made the occasion of a competition among the gentlemen members of the club for prizes. Marling and Smith have presented a club for the competition".

Playing round the course on Tuesday 7 January 1913 Mr W A Macdonald, partnered by Mr Irvine, set a new course record, he went round the nine-hole course in 34. This was three strokes better than the previous record which had been by professional Alexander Marling. The monthly medal for January was won by George Murray junior with a score of 84 (41+43)-6-78. 

The annual meeting was held in the Public Hall on Tuesday 15 April 1913. Provost Dawson, president of the club, was in the chair. In his report the secretary, Mr Chalmers, submitted a satisfactory balance sheet “for the nine months since the club had been formed”. It’s seems obvious that the earlier club (founded 1906) had become defunct.

The chairman went on to say that the club had been very successful as regards numbers since June last year, and he hoped the membership would keep up. They would do all they could to make the course a good one, and he had great pleasure in offering a challenge cup, to be competed for annually by the members.

The following office-bearers were elected for the year; Hon president - Charles E N Leith Hay of  Leith Hall; patrons – Lord Emmett, London; H P Lumsden, Lickley Head; Colonel J T Beattie, London; Captain A T Gordon, Freefield; Raphael Gordon of Wardhouse; J M Henderson MP; Colonel Milne of Logie; George Smith of Pittordrie; Robert Smith, Drumrossie; W H Haughton of Williamstone; president – W F G Dawson, Bank House; vice-president – Alexander Will, Schoolhouse; captain – J A Saunders; vice-cpatain – M A Macdonald, St Andrew; secretary and treasurer – James Chalmers, Rosebank; members of the council – Rev J Irvine, The Rectory; John Anderson, Commercial Bank; James Wallace, Rothney; James Middleton, Commerce Street; George Murray jun, Alvah Cottage; W Morrison, Fernbank. 

 Below is the result of a match played at Insch against Huntly on Thursday 16 July 1914. 

The club had moved location by the early 1920s (see map below).

Result of a match against Lumsden played in July 1922.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Friday 28 July 1922. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played at Insch in July 1923.

A remarkable incident took place on the Insch golf course, Aberdeenshire, on Wednesday 23 June 1926. During a match between the home club and Oldmeldrum, Mr J Tait (Insch) and Mr J Chalmers (Oldmeldrum) halving the fourth hole in one. The hole was 110 yards in length. It was reported at the time that this was only the third time in the annals of the Royal and Ancient game that a hole had been halved in one.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Friday 6 August 1926 - "The handsome new pavilion erected by the Insch Golf Club, a little above the entrance to the golf course, was formally opened yesterday. The president, Major W A Macdonald, St Andrew's House, presided, and the opening ceremony was performed by Provost C W Beattie, Emerald Bank. Some years ago they agreed that they would have a building erected that would be a credit, not only to the club, but to the community. Plans had been prepared by John Souter, Maryfield, who had carried out the work in an excellent manner."

At the annual meeting in April 1928 the following officers were elected; Patrons; W T H Haughton, William Allen, John Massie, R W Smith M.P., Provost Beattie; Hon. president, C E N Leith Hay of Leith Hall; President, David Findlay; Vice-president, Rev J G Calderwood; Captain, R T Farquhar; Vice-captain, L B Gordon; Secretary and treasurer, James Milne.  

Aberdeen Press and Journal Monday 31 March 1930. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in April 1937.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Thursday 8 April 1937. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below celebrating the silver jubilee in May 1937.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Friday 7 May 1937. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The prospects are promising at the annual meeting in March 1938.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Saturday 26 March 1938. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In May 1938 the course was opened for the season by Mr G M Russell, a past president of the club. Douglas Cooper, president, presided and the first ball was driven off by Miss Alcock, vice-captain, this was followed by a sort of mixed foursome match, result below.

Golf Club dance and prize presentation in December 1938.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Tuesday 6 December 1938. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Club officials appointed in March 1939; President, Douglas R Cooper; vice-president, Miss I M Alcock; captain, J Barbour; secretary - Ian Macgregor, North of Scotland Bank.

Mr Douglas Cooper, Dunnydeer House, presided over a large attendance when the course opened for the season in May 1940. A match took place between teams representing the captain, W Dingwall and the vice-captain, W Jaffray. Following the match, which was won by Mr Jaffray's team, tea was served by the ladies.

Unfortunately the course was required for the WW2 war effort and the club did not re-open following the war.

The secretary in the 1940s was I McGregor, Rosedale, Insch. The 9-holes measured 1,690yds and had a SSS and Par of 72. The club had a membership of 70. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 3/6d a week. The clubhouse had no licence or catering facilities. Sunday play was not allowed.

Location of the Insch course in the 1920s. 

The current course opened in 1982.