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Montrose Ladies’ & South Links Golf Club, South Links Course. (1889 - 1951) 

The Montrose Ladies' Club was Founded in 1889 and played on the South Links.

In 1911 a new club was formed called the Montrose South Links Golf Club.

Report on the opening of the Ladies' course in August 1890.

Montrose Standard Friday 29 August 1890. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Further report on the first competition of the Montrose Ladies’ Golf Club.

From the Dundee Courier Friday 29 August 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the upcoming season in 1893.

Montrose Standard Friday 7 April 1893. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting and a new clubhouse in March 1894.

Montrose Standard Friday 16 March 1894. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Opening of a new course in 1895.

Montrose Standard Friday 7 June 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1899, also a mention of the two courses.

Golf Friday 24 March 1899. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From "Golf" Friday 7 April 1899 - "A good record is not a thing to lose lightly. Therefore, the Montrose Ladies' competed for the Paton Gold Medal in the thick of a snowstorm. Never has the Montrose Club postponed a meeting on account of the weather, and although on Friday, March 24th, the atmospheric conditions were so terrible as to leave only two in the field, Miss Lily Burness and Mrs Dickson, the round was holed with the loss of a few balls, and the record of the club remained unbroken."

Golf Friday 28 April 1899. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1900.

Montrose Standard Friday 16 March 1900. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

On Monday 13 January 1902 the upkeep of the ladies course was on the agenda at the Town Council meeting. Mr D C Wills, clerk, read a letter from Captain R Hoyer Millar who drew the attention of the Parks and Gardens Committee to the fact that during the past two years one green-keeper had been ample for at least eight months in the year for the maintenance of the ladies course, the expense had been borne by the ladies club. In the past the cost had only been £21 a year. The links committee recommended that the council bear half of the cost of the upkeep with the ladies club contributing the other half, this was agreed to.

Result of the competitions for the Paton Medal and the Gold Bracelet played on Saturday 31 January 1903. In the first round Mrs Dickson beat Miss E Burness and Miss E Woodward beat Miss L Burness, Mrs Millar received a bye. The semi-final, Mrs Millar beat Mrs Dickson, Miss Woodward receiving a bye. In the final Miss Woodward, Paton Medal winner beat Mrs Millar who received the Gold Bracelet.

The annual meeting was held on Thursday 19 March 1903, Mrs A Rae Smith presiding. It was reported that the club’s finances were in a satisfactory condition. The Lady Florence Wolrige Gordon was unanimously elected president for the ensuing year and Mrs R H Millar, captain. The course was reported to be in capital order, Mr Mitchell was the green-keeper.

The Ladies' golf course in 1904.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1904}

In March 1904 Patrick Dixon of Sunnyside House was appointed president of the Montrose Ladies' Club, and Miss A Woodward was chosen captain, the former in place of Lady Florence Wolridge Gordon, and the latter in place of Mrs H H Miller.

From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Ladies’ Golf Club Instituted 1890; Number of members 124; Hon. secretary – R H Miller; Captain – Miss A Woodward; Entrance Fee 7s/6d; Subs for competing members 5s and non-competing 2s/6d; Holes – Driving Course, 9; Putting Course, 18; Terms for visitors by introduction 2s/6d a month. Fixtures – monthly medals.

Montrose Standard Friday 31 August 1906. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Montrose postcard from the 1900s.

In August 1907 the competition for the Paton medal was played over two rounds of the nine-hole auxiliary course. The winner was Mrs Simson, 88.

The competition for the Paton medal was played over the driving course in January 1909. The winner was Mrs Hills, 98.

Fixtures for 1908,

Montrose Standard Friday 28 February 1908. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Montrose Standard Friday 27 August 1909 - "Under the auspices of the Montrose Ladies' Golf Club a very successful tournament is this week being conducted over the three courses."

The annual Ladies' Club tournament in August 1910 was played over both the long course and the auxiliary course. 

From the Montrose Review Friday 29 September 1911 - "A new club, to be called the South Links Golf, composed of lady and gentlemen members, was formed in Montrose on Wednesday."

Regular ladies' competitions were still being played on the South Links, mixed foursomes seemed a particularly popular competition. The Montrose Ladies also began playing on the "Longer Course". Whist Drives were also popular and were held most months.

Following is a result of a competition played in September 1911; Miss Ida Henderson and Mr Law, 85; Miss Hall and Mr Keay, 87; Miss Gordon and Mr Bonnington, 93.

Montrose Standard Friday 13 October 1911. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competitions played in January 1912; Ladies - Mrs Brooke, 102-18-84; Miss Janet Grey, 90 scratch; Miss Inverarity, 115-24-91; Gentlemen - J A Marr, 75-2-73; R Davidson and J B Boyd, 82-6-76.

The competition for Provost Stone's Bracelet played in February 1912; Miss Foreman, 55-12-43; Miss Janet Gray, 44 scratch; Mrs Brook, 51-6-45; Miss A Valentine, 51-6-45; Miss Lawson, 49-5-44. 

Mixed foursome on Wednesday 17 July 1912. Image courtesy of David S Low.

Result of the mixed foursome played in July 1912; Mrs Barnard and Mr G Martin, 91; Miss Martin and Mr A Marr, 98; Miss Inverarity and Mr Scott. 98; Miss Ella Davidson and Mr A Wilkie, 99. 

In August 1913 a sale of produce etc., raised a sum of £72 in aid of a fund to provide a clubhouse for the South Links Club.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1913.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 24 March 1913. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The winner of the Provost Stone bangle for June 1914 was Miss Matthew, 53-4-49.

Golf restarts following WW1.

Montrose Review Friday 13 June 1919. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Montrose Review Friday 5 September 1919. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The winner of the ladies' bangle in December 1919 was Miss J Ford.

From the Dundee Courier Monday 5 July 1920 - "Montrose South Links Club - The new clubhouse was opened by Provost Thomson. Thereafter a mixed foursome competition resulted; Miss Magan and Mr D Murray (40); Miss Todd and Bailie Jolly (42); Miss Stewart and Mr J McPhee (45)."

Opening of the new clubhouse Saturday 3 July 1920. Image courtesy of David S Low.

Report on the annual meeting in January 1923.

Montrose Review Friday 19 January 1923. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The gentlemen's gold badge for January 1923 was won by David Robertson, 73-2-71.

The opening match in April 1924 was a match between sides representing the captain (Bailie W Gouk) and vice-captain (J Edgar) the former winning by 6 matches to 3. 

Dundee Courier Saturday 24 January 1925. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Newspapers). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In November 1925 the winner of the Ladies gold badge was Miss B Forbes, 44-1-43.

In May 1926 the winner of the stone bracelet was Miss Findlay, 50-9-41; The Gold Badge was won by Jas. Jackson, 71 scratch.

Report on the annual meeting in January 1927.

Montrose Standard Friday 28 January 1927. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In the final of the ladies' championship played in August 1927 Miss Nan Winton defeated Mrs A Gray by 5 and 4.  

Result of the mixed foursome played in August 1927; J Cobb and L Calderhead, 80; Mrs Cumming and J S Walker, 82; Miss F Finlayson and E Fraser, 85.

 

Montrose Review Friday 18 May 1928 - "There were 28 applicants for the post of starter at the South Links Golf Course, and the matter was taken up in committee. After the voting, the appointment went to David Stott, Bents Road, after a tie with Mr W Hills, Victoria Street. The post carries a wage of £2 per week, and is for the summer months."  

Report on the annual meeting in January 1929.

Montrose Review Friday 25 January 1929. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dundee Courier Monday 25 August 1930 -"Captain Cobb deputised for Mr A Marr, the captain, at the presentation of prizes of the South Links Golf Club. Mrs Cobb distributed the prizes won as follows; Championship, E Fraser; Ford Cup, F Burgess; Mixed foursomes, Mrs Valentine and W D Burgess. The company spent a social evening with dancing and musical items."

Report on the annual meeting in January 1932.

Montrose Standard Friday 22 January 1932. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Prize presentation in 1932.

Montrose Review Friday 7 October 1932. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; South Links Golf Club; Membership 140; Hon. secretary - Miss J N B Fyfe, 14 King Street, Montrose; Green-keeper, D Murray; 9-holes; Visitors, 7d a round; No Sunday play.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 19 January 1934. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd (Newspapers). Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

While playing in the ladies' championship on the South Links in August 1934 Miss Edith Reid holed in on at the 155 yard sixth hole, she was playing with Miss J N B Fyfe.

Extract from a council meeting report in January 1935.

Montrose Review Friday 18 January 1935. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in January 1936.

Montrose Review Friday 24 January 1936. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1937; South Links Golf Club; Membership 110; Hon. secretary - Miss Jean D Cobb; Green-keeper, D Murray; 9-holes; Visitors, 7d a round; No Sunday play.

Match against Laurencekirk in June 1937.

Montrose Standard Friday 11 June 1937. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Competitions played in July 1937; Final of the ladies' championship Miss D H Clark beat Mrs Valentine; In the final of the gold badge Mrs Valentine reversed the result; In the Ford Cup final (men) J Walker beat W M Hunter.

In August 1937 playing a four ball game in the company of B Murray, J McDonald and J Todd, Stewart Clark, a member of the Mercantile Club, equalled the course record, his score; 3,4,2,2,4,3,4,4,3 - 29.

The following officers were elected in February 1938; Captain, A I Gray; Vice-captain, A C Paton; Secretary, Miss J D Cobb; Treasurer, A Wallace; Joint match secretaries, G Robertson and A Murrie; Council - Miss D Scott, Mrs Gray, A Cowie and J McDonald; Tea convenors, Mrs Valentine and Miss M J Duncan.

Montrose Standard Friday 22 April 1938. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Prize presentation in 1938.

Montrose Review Friday 7 October 1938. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a mixed foursome played on Saturday 26 August 1939; first - Miss D H Clark and G K V Clarke; second – Miss M Middleton and Rev. W R Torvaney; third – Mr & Mrs Puvis.

The jubilee of the Montrose Ladies' Golf Club was celebrated in September 1939, it coincided with the annual tournament. Mrs Patrick Dickson, Sunnyside, presided, and Mr G A P Balfour, hon. secretary, addressed the company. Two people who were responsible for starting the club, Major and Mrs Hoyer Millar, attended the ceremony. Mr Balfour thanked them for attending and also expressed pleasure at so many of the older members being present. He specially mentioned Miss More Gordon, Miss Chrissie Lawrence and Miss Renny-Tailyour.

Result of  the Captain v Vice-Captain match played in May 1940

Play was suspended for the duration of WW2.

Report on a new course in May 1945.

From the Montrose Standard Wednesday 30 May 1945. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in June 1947 that Montrose Council were to take immediate steps to have the course reconstructed. An immediate application was to be made for the derequisition of the land at the South Links.

Report from the Montrose Standard 7th January 1948 - "After being in existence for almost 58 years, the Montrose Ladies' Golf Club was wound up. The wooden clubhouse, trundled across the links to its present position in 1905, has been converted into a dwelling house." 

The 1948 February Montrose South Links Badge was won by George Dickson 79-5-74. In the final of the Montrose junior handicap cup competition D Tavendale defeated James Mair, jun. by 2 & 1. 

Montrose South Links wound up in 1951.

Montrose Review Friday 25 May 1951. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Recollections of the South Links Course.

Montrose Review Thursday 15 February 1990. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Plan of the South Links nine-hole course (Provost Reid's Road to the west).

Montrose Review Thursday 1 March 1990. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The South Links course in 1950.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1950}