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Lumphanan Golf Club, Aberdeenshire. (1922 - 1966)

There was an attempt to start a club prior to WW1 but with the onset of war imminent the scheme was abandoned.

Aberdeen Evening Express Saturday 11 July 1914. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

A new club appeared in 1922.

Below the opening ceremony.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Saturday 14 July 1923. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the opening of the course in July 1923.

Aberdeen Press and Journal Monday 9 July 1923. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1924 the secretary was John Clarke, Craig Cottage, Lumphanan. A 9-hole course with a membership of 80. Visitors’ fees were 10/- a month. Sunday play was not allowed. The Station at Lumphanan was 100 yards away. Local hotel was the Lumphanan.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Thursday 10 June 1926; "Presentation - John Clarke, who has resigned the office of secretary and treasurer, a position he has held since the opening of the course, was presented by the committee with a cheque and a small gift in recognition of his services. Mr Clarke is going abroad at an early date, and will be succeeded as secretary by R D Donald bank agent."

Aberdeen Press and Journal Friday 13 May 1927. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The annual meeting was held in April 1928, the president, R Moir, in the chair. Following officers appointed; President, R Moir; secretary and treasurer, R D Donald; captain, George Christie; vice-captain, A Milne; sports committee - J Mudie, J Copland, A Milne, George Merchant. A Milne was appointed green-keeper.

Below is the opening competition of the season played in May 1928 between teams selected by the secretary and captain. 

In August 1931 Lumphanan visited Aboyne and were on the wrong end of a beating, result below. 

The course was opened for the season in May 1933 with a match between teams representing the captain and secretary.

The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse in April 1934, W G McRobbie, president, presided. The following officers were appointed; Hon. presidents - R Moir and John Don; president, George Christie; vice-president, George Merchant; captain, James Copland; vice-captain, M McCaskill; secretary and treasurer, J M Irvine; management committee - Charles Leslie, Alex. Thomson, Henry Calder; greens committee - Alex. Milne, Edward Angus, W G McRobbie; sports committee - George Christie, Charles Leslie, George Marchant, Captain, Vice-Captain.  

The annual meeting was held in April 1939, the following officers were elected; Hon. presidents - Sir C M Barclay-Harvey, Col. H J Kinghorn, Capt. J H Cochrane, Robert Moir, John Don; president, Alexander Milne; vice-president, Albert F Law; captain, Henry D Calder; vice-captain, George Gauld; secretary and treasurer, J M Irvine; committee - Peter Sim, jun., George Calder, James H Grant; greens committee - James Copland, Henry Calder, John D Copland; sports committee - Captain, Vice-Captain, A E Urquhart, Charles Leslie, James H Grant, Albert F Law, Robert R Anderson.

In 1940 and 1947 the secretary was J M Irvine, Bank House, Lumpanhan, telephone number 23, and the green-keeper was G Buchan. Membership was 30. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 3/- a week, 5/- a fortnight and 7/6d for two months. Sunday play was permitted.

In May 1949 the Lumphanan Golf Club's first meeting since 1939 was a match between teams representing the captain, H Calder, and the secretary, D Asher, it ended in a 4- 4 draw. The course had been prepared for play by the willing and enthusiastic help of the committee and was in fine condition. 

Result of the June 1949 monthly medal; D Asher, 76-2-74; J D Copland, 78-3-75.

The winner of the Littlejohn Cup in July 1949 was R Hossack (18) with a net score of 278, runner-up was M Hossack, 291, other scores; H D Calder (scratch,) 311; J D Copland (3,) 315; A Milne (18,) 323; F Hossack (18,) 357.

During the 1950s the secretary was D Asher, Bank House, Lumphanan. Visitors’ fees were 1/6d a round and 5/- a week.

In August 1950 a young member, Peter Williams, won the competition for the Peter McDonald Cup with a score of net 117 for the 36-holes, runner-up was R Paelicke.

Result of the Peter McDonald Cup for boys played in August 1951; Roy Stewart, 63 net; Alex Melvin, 67.

By May 1963 the club had only four members, the picture below shows three of the four examining a golf ball outside the clubhouse, from left to right; Alexander Milne (President,) George Gauld and Henry Calder. 

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Tuesday 7 May 1963. With thanks to D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Digitised by Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited. All rights reserved.

The following is an extract from the report that accompanied the above image. "Lumphanan Course is in the Doldrums - GOLF CLUB WITH A HANDICAP! - There are only four playing members left - Lumphanan Golf Club will die unless there's immediate and substantial support. The little forty-year old club with its railway carriage clubhouse has dwindled away until there are only four playing members. Even the hon. secretary, bank manager Mr W Duncan, is not a member.  The four members are Alexander Milne, George Gauld, Henry Calder and Sammy Watson, who was a railway signalman and also the green-keeper."

In 1964 the secretary was W W Duncan, Bank House, Lumpanhan, telephone number 233. The 9-hole course had a membership of just 15. Visitors’ fees were 1/6d a round and 7/6d a week. Local hotel was the MacBeth Arms.

Lumphanan Golf Club fell into decline and had disappeared by 1966.

Aberdeen Evening Express Wednesday 8 September 1982. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Twenty years elapsed before moves were made to re-open the club; this finally happened in 1994.

Location of the course in the 1930s.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1931}