Keith Golf Club, Moray. (1901 - WW2)

The club was founded in 1901.

A 9-hole course to the east of the town in the valley of Drum Burn. There was a small but comfortable clubhouse that had good views of the valley and onward towards Balloch Hill in the distance. During the 1920s and to the club’s closure the green-keeper was George MacPherson; he also carried out club repairs in a shed on the course. Sunday play was not allowed. The station at Keith Town was 1 mile away.

Local hotels were the Royal and the Commercial.

Report from the Aberdeen Press and Journal Friday 29 March 1901 - "The Proposed Golf Club - A meeting of the committee appointed to form a golf club for the town was held in the Institute Hall on Wednesday evening Mr A Auchinachie, solicitor, presiding. A sub-committee reported Mr G McCurrach, tenant of Drum Farm, was willing to lease 40 acres on that farm at reasonable terms. The sub committee's report was approved, and it was remitted to another sub-committee to ascertain the probable number of members. The rates of subscription were fixed as follows - Gentlemen £1/1s, Ladies 10s/6d, apprentices 10s/6d."

Report on the proposed club; Archie Simpson to advise on the layout of the course in April 1901.

 

Keith Golf Club, Moray. Report on the proposed club and the visit of Archie Simpson.

Banffshire Herald Saturday 13 April 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

It seems as though Archie Simpson was otherwise engaged. Report from the Aberdeen Press and Journal Wednesday 24 April 1901; "Proposed Golf Course - Mr Dalgleish, professional for the Nairn Golf Club, on the invitation of the committee to form a golf club for the town, paid a visit to Keith the other day and inspected the course on the Drum Burn Valley. Mr Dalgleish having gone round the course, expressed himself as highly pleased with it, and afterwards arranged foe a nine-hole course, embracing excellent variety as to distance and ground. The holes are from 150 to 400 yards apart. Arrangements are being made to have the course opened at the earliest opportunity. About 90 have intimated their desire to join the club."

From the Aberdeen People's Journal Saturday 1 June 1901 - "The new golf course is to be formally opened next Wednesday. Teams of the club chosen by the Captain and Vice-Captain will join in a friendly contest."

In August 1901 the recently formed Keith Golf Club visited the Fochabers Golf Club at Gordon Castle and due to their inexperience suffered a heavy defeat.

Fochabers Golf Club   Keith Golf Club  
John C Levay 5 W Taylor 0
James McLean 0 D M Lamont 3
W C Levay 5 Harvey Mitchell 0
Charles Morgan 3 George Taylor 0
Dr. Ironside 2 A Auchinlachie 0
John Low 4 John Mitchell 0
C W Cochrane 3 Gordon Rhind 0
H B Levay, jun. 5 A B Stuart 0
George W Manson 6 John Eyval 0
H B Levay, sen. 3 A Thomson 0
  36   3

The annual meeting was held in the Institute in March 1903, George Taylor, club captain, presided. The following officers were elected; Captain, George Taylor; secretary, S W Mayer; treasurer and vice-captain, A Auchinlachie; council - W M McConnachie, P Laing, T Robertson, A Currie, J Taylor, A P Hay, George Kynoch, J Mitchell, jun. Ladies' committee; Miss E Geddes Brown, Miss M Petrie, Miss Mayer, Miss Mitchell, Miss Stephen, Miss Walker. Subscriptions were fixed as last year 15 shillings for gentlemen and 7s/6d for ladies. Membership of 110.

Result of the ladies' 1903 May monthly medal; Miss Ethel Brown, Milton Lodge, silver button; runner-up Miss Alice Mitchell, Mid Street.

Below is the result of a match played by the juniors of the Keith and Moray Golf Clubs at Keith in September 1903.

Keith Golf Club Juniors   Moray Golf Club Juniors  
J Robertson 0 E L Galletly 10
W McHattie 0 G R Thomson 5
G Laing 0 J W McIsaac 5
F Petrie Hay 8 G W Law 0
J Stephen 0 D Grant 2
  8   22

Result of a mixed foursome played in September 1903; Miss Stephen and A M Lamont, 85; Miss Mitchell and J Mitchell, 95; Miss Petrie Hay and A Currie, 100.

The winner of the August 1904 monthly medal was George Machattie, Cross Street, 75 net. Second was George Taylor, 76 net. 

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1901; Number of members 80; Hon. secretary - S W Mayer, Solicitor, Keith; captain, A Auchinlachie; Nine-holes; professional, J Reid; Course records; professional - J Reid, 76; amateur - D M Lamont, 74. A good sporting course, hilly, with a stream running through the centre of the valley. The average length of the holes is 280 yards and there is a small clubhouse. 

Below results from the annual tournament in September 1905.

 

Keith Golf Club, Moray. Results from the annual meeting in September 1905.

From the Aberdeen Press and Journal Wednesday 20 September 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The annual meeting was held in  the Institute in April 1906 with George Kynoch, retiring captain, in the chair. The following officers were elected; Hon. President, Gordon Duff; vice-presidents, Colonel Fleming and J A Stephen; captain, George Taylor; vice-captain, W M McConnachie; secretary S W Mayer; treasurer, George A Stephen. Club membership was 90. The course had been altered recently so that several of the holes were now longer and the course less toilsome than previously. The wire bunkers had been removed and were to be replaced with old railway sleepers. 

Below is the result of a match played at Keith against Aberlour (now defunct) on Saturday 28 September 1907.

Keith Golf Club   Aberlour Golf Club  
D J Corrigal 0 J M Strachan 1
P Laing 0 W Goldie 1
J Mitchell jnr 1 G Coubrough 0
W M McConnachie 0 D Morrison 1
R Hendry 1 J Thomson 0
F W Grieve 1 A Auchinachie 0
G R Mair 1 R J Morrison 0
W Munro 0 A Price 1
  4   4

Below is the result of a match played at Keith against Cullen on Saturday 19 June 1909. 

Keith Golf Club   Cullen Golf Club  
D J Corrigall 1 G Mustard 0
P Laing 0 G S Ewen 1
J Mitchell junior (half) 0 R Gregor (half) 0
Major Reynolds 0 J Mustard 1
W Munro 0 W Newlands 1
W M McConnachie 0 J S Spence 1
F W Grieve 1 J Harthill 0
S D Mayer 1 J G Dunbar 0
R Hendry 1 W Beaton 0
F P Hay (half) 0 W McLeod (half) 0
W Wilkie 1 D R Sime 0
A Mather 1 A Martin 0
C McConnachie 1 J Simpson 0
O Ogilvie 0 B Miller 1
  7   5

Below the annual meeting held in April 1910.

 

Keith Golf Club, Moray. Report on the annual meeting in April 1910.

From the Banffshire Journal and General Advertiser Tuesday 19 April 1910. Image © Scottish Provincial Press Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Below is the result of a match played at Huntly on Saturday 25 May 1912. 

Huntly Golf Club   Keith Golf Club  
T S Watt 1 M Pringle 0
J A Sellar 1 W Munro 0
W McKay 1 Geo Wood 0
James Fraser 1 Arthur Mathur 0
R H N Sellar 1 J D McPetrie 0
J G Urquhart 0 F Grieve 1
J Valentine 1 W McConnachie 0
John Sellar 0 A G Allen 1
E V Anton 1 John Laidlaw 0
  7   2

In the final of the Petri-Hay Trophy played in September 1912 W Pringle defeated George Taylor.

John P O'Gorman, captain, presided at the annual meeting in March 1913. Membership had increased to 103. The following officers were elected; Honorary presidents - The Earl of Seafield and T D Gordon Duff of Drummuir; honorary vice-presidents - James A Stephen, John G Fleming and Charles G Ogilvie; captain, J P O'Gorman; vice-captain, W M McConnachie; secretary S W Mayer; treasurer, T F Martin.

The annual meeting was held in April 1914, W M McConnachie presided. Officers elected; Hon. president, T D Gordon Duff; vice-presidents J A Stephen, J G Fleming, C G Ogilvie, Captain Waring, M.P; captain, George Taylor; vice-captain, William Munro, Broomhill Cottage; secretary, S W Mayer; treasurer, T F Martin; Council - George Kynoch, Rev. C Macdonald, P Laing, W Munro, F W Grieve, A Auchinlachie, J D McPetrie, W A Forsyth, W O McConnachie, John Taylor, John Stephen, James J Garrow.

In 1914 club membership was 100. Entry fee was 6/- and subs 15/-. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 2/6 a week and 5/- a month.

 

Keith Golf Club, Moray. A view of the course in the 1920s.

A view of the golf course at Keith in the 1920s.

 

The annual meeting was held in March 1920. Membership stood at 125. Officers for the year; Captain - J J Penwell, The Lodge; vice-captain, A A Middleton; ladies' captain - Mrs Grieve, Mid Street; vice-captain, Miss Petrie Hay, Mid Street; secretary, J G Hunter; ladies' secretary - Miss Aird, Reidhaven Square.

The annual meeting was held in March 1921. Membership had increased to 163; The following officers were elected; Captain, J J Gemmell; vice-captain, W M McConnachie; secretary, J G Hunter; match secretary, W Joss; Council - G Taylor, A Auchanachie; W D Kennedy, Major Stewart, W H Forsyth, Rev. Canon McDonald, G Laing, A C Laing, G J Lobban, J P O'Gorman, W H Melvin, Dr. Watt; Ladies' section; captain, Mrs Grieve; vice-captain, Miss Petrie Hay; secretary, Miss Aird. 

The annual meeting was held in March 1924, J J Gemmell, captain, presided. Provost J W Kynoch  was appointed hon. president in place of the late Mr Gordon Duff; vice-presidents - Philip Shand, Peter Dawson, Sir Walter Kilby; captain, George Laing; vice-captain, M McConnachie; secretary and treasurer, G M Stuart. 

The season opened on Wednesday 15 April 1925, the ceremony was performed by Provost Kynoch, president of the club. A mixed foursome competition took place, result as follows; Mrs Auchenachie and J Anderson (winners); Mrs Thom and J Smith; Miss Jeanie Taylor and J Mitchell. The sweepstake winner was Rev D C Murray, 39; runner-up, William Munro, 40.

The opening competition for the 1928 season was a mixed foursome played in April, result as follows; Mrs Grieve and T Taylor (winners); Mrs Melvin and Mr McLaggan; Miss Auchenachie and J Laidlaw. Gentlemen’s singles; R Cameron, R Sutherland and G Laing

During the 1930s membership averaged 150. Visitors’ fees were 1/6d a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month.

Below is the result of a match played at Cullen In July 1931. 

Cullen Golf Club   Keith Golf Club  
W A Simpson 1 G Taylor 0
Jas Harthill 1 J McWilliam 0
D McAlpine 0 J W D Laidlaw 1
A Addison 0 Roy C Laidlaw 1
G Wood 0 J Dalgarn0 1
Jas Runcie 1 A R Davidson 0
Geo Desson 1 A Auchanachie 0
A G Davidson 1 A J Inglis 0
J A Miller 1 J Mackie 0
C Shearer 1 L Mercer 0
W Burnett 1 W H Douglas 0
W Donald 1 G Kirkwood 0
G Gardiner 0 L Bain 1
  9   4

At the annual meeting in March 1932 the captain, Roy Laidlaw presided. Membership stood at 127. The following officers were elected; Captain, Roy Laidlaw; vice-captain, Rev. W R Lawrence; secretary, W M McConnachie; match secretary, James Peggie; Council - T M Taylor, A Joss, A Reid, G Taylor, G Auchinachie; James Ettles.

Below, result of a match played against Turriff at Rosehall in June 1937. 

Turriff Golf Club   Keith Golf Club  
James Duncan 0 James McWilliam 1
John Watters 1 Charles K Allen 0
R A Brown 1 M T Borrell 0
W S Farquhar 1 Geo F Knox 0
Reverend P C MacQuoid 1 A Goodall 0
H Angus 1 A Mackie 0
William Gammie 0 H Lauder 1
Geo Shand 1 James Ross 0
C Thomson 1 R Sinclair 0
R Taylor 1 A Thom 0
Charles Geddes 1 John A Taylor 0
John Dickie 1 Rob Mitchell 0
  10   2

The annual meeting was held in the Institute in March 1938. A satisfactory report was submitted by the secretary and treasurer, A T T Mitchell. The following office bearers were elected; captain, G F Knox; vice-captain, M T Borrell; secretary and treasurer, Alex Goodall, Westerton Road, match secretary, John Nicholson, 43 Fife Street. It was agreed to ask if the Seafield Trustees would permit play on Sundays. Mr Mitchell was thanked for his services as secretary over the past few years. 

At the annual meeting of the Keith Golf Club in March 1939 the following officers were appointed; Captain, M T Borrell; vice-captain, J Mitchell; secretary and treasurer, A Goodall, Westerton Road; match secretary, John Nicolson, Fife Street; committee – A Auchinachie, G K Ironside, John Geddes, G I Laing, T Mackie, A T T Mitchell, L Mitchell, R Laidlaw, Jas Peggie, T M Taylor and W Sutherland. The question of Sunday play was discussed and it was agreed to take the matter up with the Seafield Trustees. It was decided to purchase a second-hand motor car to pull the mower.  

In June 1940 the Club Trophy was won by G K Ironside; runner-up, Jack Mitchell. The Cran Trophy was won by Jack Mitchell. The monthly medal was won by T Mackie; runner-up, J Pearson. 

  Secretary Greenkeeper
1914 W Mayer G MacPherson
1924 G M Stuart, "Denview" Moss Street, Keith. G MacPherson
1930s G M Stuart, 67 Moss Street, Keith. G MacPherson
mid 1930s to 1938 A T T Mitchell, Den View, Keith. G MacPherson

 

  Amateur course records
1924 George Taylor 68
1930s George Taylor and T M Taylor 31

 

Keith Golf Club, Moray. A postcard, dated 9th August 1918.

A postcard, dated 9th August 1918, showing Keith Golf Course.

 

Keith Golf Club, Moray. Location of the former Keith Golf Course.

Map showing the location of the original Keith Golf Course.

Grid reference NJ44155,49945, co-ordinates 344155,849945.

 

 

WWII saw the demise of the club and the course reverted to farmland. The current Keith club was founded in the 1960s.