Tobermory/Western Isles Golf Club, Argyll & Bute. (1896 - 1990)

Founded in 1896.

The first course was at Erray Farm. This club and course went into abeyance in the early 1900s.

The club opened a new course in July 1907.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1890s showing the golf course.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Afrgyll. O.S. Map from the 1890s showing the golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1897; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}.

 

A committee meeting was held in the public reading room in the late 1890s to discuss the proposal of a 9-hole golf course at Tobermory. The following is a local press report of the meeting. “The provisional committee elected at a previous meeting to prospect, make terms, and if need be employ an expert, reported their diligence on the matter. Bailie Fletcher presided, and both Colonel Caldewell of Mishnish, the proprietor, and Mr Graham, who holds the extensive farm of Erray, the tenant, within whose bounds the proposed golf course is to be formed, expressed their willingness to grant every facility. The ground decided upon is situated on the outskirts of the sheep farm of Erray, starting from the wood skirting the farmhouse and extending for about three quarters of a mile in a northerly direction. At a point overlooking Rubha nan Gall Lighthouse, it turns south along the high ground (chiefly moorland) commanding at various points a magnificent view of the Sound of Mull, Loch Sunart and the surrounding heights. The distance round the course is about a mile and three-quarters, and there are several natural hazards and bunkers” The following officers were elected; Colonel Caldwell of Mishnish, president; Bailie Fletcher, captain; Mr Berry, vice-captain; Mr Robert Brown, treasurer; D S MacColl and R Simpson were the joint secretaries. Subs were to be 10/6 for gentlemen and 5/- for ladies.

Thanks to Melvin Morrow for providing the above information on the Erray course.

Competition results from November 1897.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Arrgyll. Competition results from November 1897.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 20 November 1897. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Competition played in April 1898.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Arrgyll. Competition result from November 1898.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 30 April 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Report on the annual meeting in May 1900.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Arrgyll. Report on the annual meeting in May 1900.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 26 May 1900. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Report on the new course from the Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 27 July 1907; "The Tobermory Golf Course was formally opened on Monday of this week. A large crowd of interested spectators gathered round the teeing ground, where Mr Bryce Allan, in a neat speech pronounced the course open, and called upon Miss Sheila Allen, Aros House, to drive off the first ball. After much applause, Mr Fletcher addressed the ladies and gentlemen present, asking them to add their names to the list of forty members already enrolled. He also proposed votes of thanks to the Green Committee, and especially to Mr A H MacDonald, the energetic secretary. Afterwards an exhibition game was played between John Wilson and R Crabbe. The course is a nine-hole one and Mr Wilson's scored 39, Mr Crabbe, 49."

It was stated in another report that the course was associated with the Mishnish Hotel.

Result of the competition for the Simpson Prize played in March 1911; A J Fraser, 87-7-80; H Cameron, 92-10-82; A H MacDonald, 91-5-86; D Cameron, 102-15-87; J Wilson, 86+3-89; R J Brown, 106-15-91.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Argyllshire. Results from monthly competitions in November 1913.

From the Scotsman Wednesday 12 November 1913. Image © Johnston Press plc.

 

Report on the annual meeting in June 1920.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Arrgyll. Report on the annual meeting in June 1920.

Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser Saturday 19 June 1920. Image © Wyvex Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

A group of locals were keen on a reinstatement of the club and they succeeded in finding land between Sgriobruadh and Achafraoich about one mile from Tobermory. This course continued until the mid 1930s (see map below for course location.)

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Arrgyll. O.S. Map showing the location of the course in the 1930s.

 

In 1935 the club moved to a site owned by the Western Isles Hotel and the name was changed to the Western Isles Golf Club.

It was listed as the Western Isles Golf Club into the 1980s.

As can be seen from the advert below from June 1936 the Western Isles Hotel is offering a "new sporting golf course adjacent to the hotel."

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Argyllshire. Advert for the Western Isles Hotel with golf course.

From the Aberdeen Press & Journal June 1936. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

During the 1940s the secretary at the Western Isles Golf Club was V S Mowat and the green-keeper A MacDougall. Amateur course record - G Tucker, 67. Eighteen-holes with a SSS of 67. Visitors, 1s/6d a round, 2s/6d a day. 

In the early 1950s the secretary was Hugh Gillies, "Dunara," Tobermory, and the green-keeper W Christie. Station at Tobermory quarter of a mile.  The club had a membership of 41. No Sunday play.

In the 1960s the secretary was J T Watson, and the green-keeper W MacLean. The nine-holes measured 2,339 yards with a SSS of 68. Visitors' fees were 4s/6d a day.

In 1975 the secretary was J K Backus. Membership of 80. Visitors 30p a day.

In 1988 the secretary was A D Brown. Membership of 95.  The nine-holes measured 2,460 yards with a SSS of 64. Visitors £3 a day.

It reverted to “Tobermory Golf Club” in about 1990.

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Argyll & Bute. Location of the Erray course in the 1900s.

Grid reference for the Eraay course NM50245,56270, co-ordinates 150245,756270. Current course bottom right.

 

 

Tobermory Golf Club, Argyll & Bute. Location of the golf course 1920s.

Location of the second course in 1925. Grid reference NM49150,54650, co-ordinates 149150,754650.