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Oban Golf Club, at Dunollie/Polamhinisteir/Ganavan. (1890 - 1955)

The Oban Golf club was founded in 1890.

The first short lived course was at Dunollie, Sonstan Bay. It was formally opened on Saturday 26 April 1890 with a match between Captain Stewart and Old Tom Morris, St Andrews.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 19 April 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Reports on the opening of the course in April 1890. 

The Scotsman Tuesday 29 April 1890. Image © Johnston Press plc.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 3 May 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The competition for the silver medal was played in July 1891. The medal was won by Andrew Honeyman with a score of 81.

In September 1891 William Black, the novelist, became a member at Oban Golf Club, he was "a keen participant in the game."

Dunollie location of the first course.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}.

From the Oban Times July 1892; "Oban Golf Club - The new course will be opened Friday 29 July at 2 o'clock. Members are requested to attend. Walter Gardiner, secretary."

The second  nine-hole course was at Polamhinisteir (Polvinist.) It moved in about 1905/6 to a course at Ganavan Sands where it continued until WW2

Report on the club and course in December 1892.

From "Golf" Friday 30 December 1892.

Following is the result of the April 1893 monthly medal played on the Polamhinisteir course; William Gardener, 78; Archibald Campbell, 79; Duncan Campbell, 85

Below is an extract from a report that appeared in the Glasgow Herald on Saturday 23rd March 1895. It’s intersting to note that the article mentions an earlier course at Ganavan. No evidence has been found so far regarding this pre-1890 course:-

The Oban Golf Club are endeavouring to secure a new course. The present course at Polamhinisteir, which was laid out two years ago, is a nine-hole course, and although it is convenient of access from the town it has not been a favourite course, especially with visitors. An effort is, therefore, being made to arrange for a new eighteen-hole course on Dunolliebey Farm, near Ganavan Sands, where the club formerly had a nine-hole course.”

Layout of the Oban Golf Club course at Polamhinisteir.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}.

The April 1896 medal was still being played on the Polamhinisteir course, result; W L Menzies (+1), 87; D Skinner, 95-8-87; John MacColl (+4), 89; T W Mair, 109-20-89; Archibald Campbell (+1), 90; James Gordon, 100-10-90; M B Macneill, 102-12-90; A S Black, 104- 12-92; Alex Shairp, 109-14-95; C A Rankin, 95-2-97.

A professional and amateur tournament was held on the Polamhinisteir course on Wednesday 8 May 1896. The competition was played over 36-holes with many leading professionals from Scotland taking part. £43 was divided into eight prizes, leading scores (professional); Archie Simpson (Aberdeen), 72; W Auchterlonie (St Andrews), 74; Ben Sayers (North Berwick) and Andrew Kirkaldy (St Andrews), 75; William Fernie (Troon), 76; R Mearns (Aberdeen), 82; G Pulford (Hoylake), 83; A Honeyman (Oban), 88. The best amateur scores; W L Menzies, 82; C Rankin, 93; A D Macneil, 103.  

Result of a match against Dublane Hydropathic played in April 1897.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 8 May 1897. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In May 1897 Oban journeyed to Fort William to play an eight a side friendly match. The visitors were victorious winning by 4 matches to two.

Competition result from March 1899.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 4 March 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition played on Christmas Day 1902 on the Poll-a'-Mhinister course.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 3 January 1903 Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Early Postcard of Oban Golf Links by Stengel & Co.

The club eventually moved to a super 9-hole links course situated at Ganavan. The railway station was 2 miles away and in the summer months there was a motor car service to the links at Ganavan Sands. Local hotels were the Great Western, Marine and the King’s Arms, which was a 10 minute walk from the course. Sunday play was not allowed.

Scorecard for the nine-hole Oban Course at Ganavan.

The following is taken from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1890; Members, 120; secretary, W L Menzies, 73 George Street, Oban; captain, W Ironside; professional record, W Auchtertlonie, 73; amateur record, W L Menzies, 73; green-keeper, A Macdougall; entrance fee, 2s/6d, subs, 10/-; nine-holes; visitors' fees, 1/- a day,  2/6 a week; 5/- a month. The course is about 10 minutes' walk from Oban, and is a good sporting one.The greens have recently been enlarged and greatly improved.

In December 1907 Robert Wilson, who had been professional at Oban for eighteen months, was engaged as professional at Yeovil and East Somerset Golf Club. Wilson had previously worked under Willie Fernie at Troon, and would be laying out the new course at Yeovil.  

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 18 May 1912. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1914 there was a membership of 200 with entry fees of 2/6d; gents subs were 10/- and ladies 7/6d. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 3/6d a week and 7/6d a month.

Ganavan Sands and the Golf Course, Oban. Images courtesy of Frank Accleton.

Result of a competition played in difficult conditions on Christmas Day 1919; Alex Robertson, 78-4-74; A Cameron, 84-5-79; J McCulloch, 80+2-82; D Paterson, 88-5-83; G Sinclair, 99-12-87; R A MacVicar, 90-3-97.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 5 June 1920. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 9 July 1921. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1922. 

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 11 February 1922. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Mention in a newspaper article in the Glasgow Evening Times of 23 March 1923 which stated that "The Leeds expert Dr Mackenzie is very busy just now. He has begun at Oban planning an extension of the course at Ganavan Sands to 18-holes. The starting point will probably be behind the historic Dunollie Castle, and will thus be quite close to the town. This is a development which will be welcomed by vistors to Oban, which is a most attractive holiday resort." The existing 9 hole course was to be extended to 18 holes but there is no record of this actually happening.

We would like to thank Neil Crafter, renowned expert on the work of Dr Alister MacKenzie, for providing the following information on the proposed extension of the Ganavan course to eighteen-holes.

“Only 9-holes were laid out at Ganavan and the club survived until after World War I with just these holes. Around 1923 they began to look at options to extend their course to 18-holes and called in Dr MacKenzie to visit the site and plan the extension. Glasgow’s ‘Evening Times’ newspaper contained a report in the 23 March 1923 edition that referred to Dr MacKenzie’s visit to Glasgow that week to view construction progress on his Bonnyton Moor course. Included in this report were mentions of some of his other current and planned work in Scotland, one of which was Oban:

“The Leeds expert is very busy just now. He has begun at Oban planning the extension of the course at Ganavan Sands to 18 holes. The starting point will probably be behind the historic Dunolly Castle, and will thus be quite close to the town. This is a development which will be welcomed by visitors to Oban, which is a most attractive holiday resort.”

Sadly though, the extension proposal fell through. Some years later a Letter to the Editor of the ‘Oban Times’ was written by Mr. R. A. MacVicar, the Secretary of the Oban Golf Club, and published in the 7 June 1930 edition. He was writing in response to an earlier letter criticizing the Town Council’s plans to create a new municipal golf course in the town, and he included a summary of why the earlier scheme to extend the Oban course had failed. He wrote:

“With a view to securing such a course, the Oban Golf Club took up the matter of an extension of their present course immediately after the War in 1919. It was felt by many of the members that the provision of a first-class course was an essential to the development of Oban which was expected after the War.

Negotiations were opened first of all with Mr. Struthers, the tenant of Dunolliebeg Farm, who stated that he was willing to allow the extension on the land tenanted by him. Thereafter Colonel MacDougall of Dunollie was approached. He asked for a plan to be submitted showing the ground wanted. This was provided by the Club, but Colonel MacDougall intimated through his agents on 27 April 1920 that it was his wish to let the matter drop.

The Oban Golf Club again took up the matter in 1922, and, after some negotiations, were informed by both Colonel MacDougall and Mr Struthers that they were willing to give ground for the extension, provided terms could be arranged. The first step was to ascertain the extent of the ground required, and the Club instructed Dr. MacKenzie, of Leeds, the well-known golf course architect, to examine the ground and prepare a plan showing the line of the course and the ground required. Dr. Mackenzie visited the ground on 23 February 1923 accompanied by the Extension Sub-Committee and by Colonel MacDougall and Mr Struthers. The ground was gone over and certain fields pointed out by Colonel MacDougall as being reserved. Dr. MacKenzie prepared a report and plan. When sending me his report he wrote as follows:-

“I hope you will not have any difficulty in getting possession of the ground, as I consider it is one of the most attractive schemes I know and will make a great difference to the prosperity of Oban.”

After all this had been done at a cost of over £30, Mr Struthers intimated to me orally towards the end of April 1923 that he was entirely against giving any ground for extension of the golf course. He gave no explanation, and would not change his attitude, so the matter had to stop.”

A subsequent letter to the editor was published in the ‘Oban Times’ on 21 June 1930 was written by John Gordon, who had accompanied Dr MacKenzie on his inspection visit on 23 February 1923. Gordon recalled that:

I was privileged to be with Dr. Mackenzie on that occasion when he visited the proposed course in 1924 [note Gorden’s recollection of a 1924 date is incorrect, as MacKenzie definitely visited in 1923 as evidenced by the ‘Evening Times’ report from March 1923 supported by MacVicar’s recollection], and he expressed himself as delighted with the course he had laid out. Colonol MacDougall of MacDougall and Mr Struthers were in the party, and they both indicated the ground they were prepared to grant to the golf course, and Dr MacKenzie made his course accordingly. He submitted plans for the construction of the course. Those interested in the enterprise thought that all was settled and that arrangements for construction of the greens, bunkers, etc., would soon be proceeded with; but one or other of the parties with whom the Oban Golf Club were dealing changed his mind and the whole scheme fell through.” 

Despite subsequent attempts to revive the scheme, the Oban Golf Club never achieved its 18-hole course.”

In 1923 membership was 232. Visitors’ fees were now 1/6d a day, 7/6d a week, 12/6d a fortnight and 17/6d a month.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting in February 1924; Hon. President, the Captain of Dunstaffnage; President, Mr Lake Falconer; Vice-President, Mr Malcolm Black; Captain, Mr D MacArthur; Vice-Captain, Mr G Sinclair; Secretary, Mr R A MacVicar; Treasurer, Mr W Monteith.

Result of a match against Salen Golf Club in September 1924. A return match at Torosay Castle was arranged.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 13 September 1924. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 7 November 1925. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

By the mid 1920s membership had fallen to about 160.

Result of the October 1926 medal; H S McCulloch, 69-2-67; D McLeod, 75-6-69.

The competition for the MacGilvray Cup took place on 1 January 1927; John Cameron, 74-5-69; J A Campbell, 77-4-73; D Paterson, 83-8-75; D MacArthur, 85-10-75; A MacCallum, 100-24-76; Malcolm MacColl, 90-12-78; N Carmichael, 90-10-80; D Macleod, 87-6-81. 

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 7 January 1928. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Competitions played in June 1928; "Loretto" Rose Bowl presented to the ladies' section by Low, Robertson, Ltd, Leith; Miss Marie Gardner, winner; Miss Sybil Menzies, runner-up. Mixed foursome competition; Miss Kirkwood and Angus Macdonald defeated Miss MacDonald and Arch. MacCallum. 

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 10 May 1930. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the competition for the Dunstaffnage Trophy played in September 1930; Duncan Munn, 78-20-58; R J MacDonald, 74-8-66.

Result of the 1930 Christmas Day competition; T A Paterson, 85-20-65; R J MacDonald, 75-8-67; H Skinner, 74-7-67; D L Cumming, 89-20-69; A MacDonald, 75-3-72; J A Campbell, 74-2-72; D Smith, 79-6-73; D Munn, 85-12-73. 

The annual competition for the Club Shield was played in May 1931; Dugald L Cumming, 83-20-63; Hugh Cameron, 77-12-65.

Result of the Dunstaffnage Trophy played in September 1931; Duncan L Cumming, 88-24-64; James Ferguson, 75-8-67.

Report on the annual meeting and the retirement of R A MacVicar in January 1932.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 30 January 1932. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In April 1933 twenty-four competitors took part in the annual competition for the Gray Trophy. There was a tie for first place between J MacTaggart, 75-12-63 and D J Scott, 87-24-63. In the replay Mr MacTaggart scored, 73-12-61.

The annual competition for the Oban Golf Club Shield was played in May 1933; H Halton, 72-16-56; W Calderwood, 81-21-60. There were 22 competitors.

Result of the MacVitie and Price Cup (mixed foursome) played in July 1933; Winners - Miss Ella MacDougall and R A MacVicar; Runners-up - Miss Calderwood and Colin Menzies. 

Result of the annual Christmas Day competition in 1933; G Kirkpatrick, Burnbank Terrace, 77-11-66; T H Paterson, Burnbank Terrace, 77-11-66; A MacTaggart, Dalry Villa, 79-10-69; D Smith, Burnbank Terrace, 76-6-70 (best scratch prize). 

Result of the competition for the Isis Cup played in March 1934. The winner of the cup was Colin Menzies, 73 scratch; Runner-up, Alex MacTaggart, 77. The winner of the handicap prize were Colin Menzies and William Calderwood.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 11 August 1934. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 25 August 1934. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the 1934 annual Christmas Day competition; A MacTaggart, 76-12-64; T H Paterson, 80-11-69; T C Corson, 80-10-70; D S MacDonald, 83-12-71; S A MacTaggart, 84-10-74; A Skinner, 94-20-74. Best scratch, A MacTaggart, 76.

Results of a matches against Torosay Golf Club played in July 1936.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 11 July 1936. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 18 July 1936. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1938

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 5 February 1938. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 13 May 1939. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Competition results from June 1940; Dungorm Cup; D S MacDonald, 74-9-65; Runner-up, A MacFarlane, 80-14-66; Ladies' Rose Bowl (36-holes); Mrs G Davidson, 88-6-82 and 89-6-83, total of 165; Mrs Lees, 90-4-86 and 100-4-86, total of 182.   

From the Golfer's Handbook 1928 - 1947; Membership, 160; Secretary - R A MacVicar, 73 George Street, Oban; Green-keeper, J D McCallum; Nine-holes; Amateur course record; J McCulloch, 67; Visitors, 1s/6d a day, 6s a week, 10s a fortnight, 15s a month; Motor car service from the esplanade to the Ganavan links; No Sunday play. 

View of the course at Ganavan on a Valentines postcard.

The Scotsman Friday 19 December 1947. Image © National World Publishing Ltd

The hon. secretary in 1948 was W R Ford.

The result of the Gray Cup played in June 1948; A MacKenzie (14), 62; D MacFarlane (12), 67

Result of the Dunstaffnage Trophy played over 18-holes on 30 August 1949; D MacFarlane (12), 59; W Whyte (10) and A Carmichael (14), 64.

It was reported in February 1953 that a special meeting would be held in the Burgh Court Room to discuss the future of the club. All members interested in the survival of the club were asked to attend.

Results of competitions played in August 1954. The winner of the Isis Cup and Club Championship; J MacQueen, 135; Runner-up, A MacTaggart, 138; Dungorm Cup (replay); D L Cummings beat D MacFarlane; Dunstaffnage Trophy; D Kilcullen, 62; Runner-up, A MacTaggart, 64. The final of the Gent's Foursomes; J MacQueen and A Stewart beat D Kilcullen and A MacKenzie on the 20th green. The Boys' competition was won by D Reid with D Skinner runner-up.

Report on the closure of the course November 1955.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 26 November 1955. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Map below shows the Ganavan golf course in the centre.

Bartholomew Map Sheet 11 - Argyll; Publication date; 1934.

Oban, Ganavan Golf Course disappeared at the time of WW2.