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John o’Groats Golf Club, Highland. (1890 - WW1)
Although the foundation date in many golf reference books is given as 1901 there is evidence of a golf course and of golf being played at John o’Groats in 1890.
The report below implies that John O’ Groats had its own, probable, six-hole golf course.
The following report is from the John o’ Groats Journal Tuesday 10th June 1890. “THE WICK HOLIDAY - A party of golfers to the number of fifteen drove down to John o’ Groats, where they enjoyed a fair days sport. After going round the course three times, the party sat down to an excellent dinner at the Royal Hotel. Mr A W Henderson occupied the chair, while Mr W Paterson Smith acted as croupier. Late in the evening the golfers returned to town highly satisfied with their annual holiday.”
It seems as though a club had been formed at John o' Groats and had come to an agreement with Wick Golf Club to play on the “Reiss Links.” Report from the John o’ Groat Journal April 12th 1892. “A special meeting of the members of the club was held Nicol’s Station Hotel. A W Henderson of Bilbster presided. The secretary, Captain J H Henderson, Rosebank, intimated the terms upon which Mr Sinclair, the tenant of Reiss Links, was willing to allow the members of the club to play any day of the week the whole year through, intead of once a month as at present. The terms were cordially agreed to. The President, A W Henderson, presented the club with a very handsome trophy in the form of a large silver-mounted horn on a silver pedestal bearing the inscription John O’ Groat Golf Club – Presented by A W Henderson, Captain, 1892.”
The Wick Golf Club continued their annual visit to play golf at John O’ Groats in June in 1893, 1894 and 1895.
From the John o’ Groat Journal Friday 8th June 1894. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
This is the first mention found of the location of the earlier course. In August 1894 the members of the John o’ Groats club played a sweepstake competition on their links at Duncansbay, result; G T Mackenzie, 93; Andrew Munro, 100-6-94; John Baikie, 95.
Result of a competition played in December 1895. In the final tie for Mr Heddderwick’s medal Mr Joss (+3) beat Mr A W Henderson (8) by nine-holes.
Below is an extract from a report on the new course in 1902.
From the John o’ Groat Journal Friday 26th September 1902. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the John o’ Groat Journal Friday 10th October 1902. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook the professional was A Rosie, and the captain, Capt. Alexander Sinclair R.N. There was a membership of 18. There was no entrance fee, the subs were 2s/6d. "The nine-hole links lie along the Pentland. Splendid sea view of Pentland and Orkneys. Natural hazards and sand bunkers."
Layout of the John o'Groats course alongside the Pentland Firth.
In 1905 and 1914 the secretary was Geo T Mackenzie, Schoolhouse, John O’Groats. The professional in 1908-9 was J Rosie. A 9-hole course. Visitors required introduction unless they were resident at the John o’Groats House Hotel. The nearest station was at Wick 16 ½ miles away.
John o’Groats Golf Club disappeared following WW1.
The Google Map below pinpoints the John o'Groats House Hotel, possible location of the course.