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

The Ladies' Club was Founded in 1889.

From 1911 it was also called the Montrose South Links Golf Club.

The report below from August 1890 describes “The first competition of the Montrose Ladies’ Golf Club.”

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

On Monday 13th 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 31st 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 19th 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}

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.

From about 1911 it was regularly appearing as Montrose South Links Golf Club. Regular ladies competitions were still being played but mixed foursomes seemed a particularly popular competition. Following ia 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.

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.

Result of a mixed foursome played on Saturday 26th 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 30th May 1945.

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. 

Unfortunately, as can be seen from the report below, the club and course would not survive. 

The South Links course in 1950.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1950}

Montrose South Links wound up in 1951.

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