The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Stromness Golf Club, Warbeth Course, Orkney. (1890 – 1925)

Founded in 1890.

The first nine-hole course was located at Warbeth.

The club moved to its current location in 1925.

In his speech at the opening of the present course in 1925 Dr. Macnish reflected on the old course and said - “He was very pleased to be there that day to take part in the opening of the new Stromness golf course. He had been a visitor to Stromness for many years, and he had always enjoyed a game on the old golf links. It was on the 11 April 1890 that a meeting was held in the Town Hall when it was decided to form a Stromness Golf Club. The minutes in the next year showed that a number of people from Kirkwall wanted to join. They did so, and paid their subscription of 10 shillings a year. In 1894 it was decided to admit ladies at the annual subscription of 2s/6d, and a committee was appointed to lay out the course for them.”

Mr Mackay, president of the club in 1925, also shared his memories of the old course; “During the past 35 years Stromness had a golf course, and a very good one too. The old course had a certain draw back, and that was that it was too far from the town. Another thing was that they were only tenants from year to year, and therefore could do very few improvements."

Report on the annual meeting held in December 1895.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 18 December 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

On Saturday 11 December 1897 the monthly medal was won by E Cheesman, 77-12-65. The round was one of 15-holes. 

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting held in November 1898; Hon. presidents – Sheriff Thomas and James Spence; president, D Hepburn; vice-president, John Mackay; secretary and treasurer, James Corrigall; committee – A T Dall, D Macpherson, Capt. Baillie and Capt. Ewing.

Golf Club Dinner in January 1899.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 18 January 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Opening of the new clubhouse in July 1904.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 27 July 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearboo; Instituted 1890; Membership of 50; Hon. secretary – J W Stove, Stromness; Captain, Charles H Akroyd; Entrance fee, nil and subs 10 shillings; 9-holes; Terms for visitors, 1 shilling a day and 6s/6d a month.

Leading scores for the monthly medal presented by James Matches played in January 1905; Alex Milne, 94-9-85; W S Spence, 96-9-87; James Clouston, 97-9-88; R W Clouston, 95-6-89.

Result of a match against Orkney played in August 1906.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 29 August 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition results from August 1908.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 26 August 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition result and course record in August 1910.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 31 August 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The following report appeared in The Orcadian Saturday 27 July 1912 – “Stromness Golf Links are in rare condition, and are being taken advantage of to the full. The turf was never better, and visitors are loud in praise of the course.”

The final of the Akroyd Cup played in August 1913.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 27 August 1913. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting held in September 1917.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 3 October 1917.

Competition result from September 1922. 

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 27 September 1922.

The annual general meeting was held in the Stromness Hotel in November 1923, John Mackay in the chair. The secretary and treasurer T R Mowat, read the annual report and financial statement, which was passed and considered highly satisfactory. The following office bearers were elected; Honorary presidents – Sir Robert Hamilton, Charles Akroyd, Mr Martin, James Garson, Captain John Sinclair, Colonel Scott, Mr Thornley; captain of the club, John Mackay, Hotel; vice-captain, D L Drever; Honorary secretary and treasurer, T R Mowat; general committee – F C Kelly, John Gowans, John Spence, R W Corse, N Anderson, A S Johnston and James Matches. The monthly medal was won by Dr. Kirton; Mr Fiddler’s Vases were won by William Brough, jun. Wilfred Sinclair was congratulated on his triple victory winning the Akroyd Cup, Ladies’ Cup and the Hamilton Cup, the latter of which carried with it The Orkney Championship.

Report on the purchase of new course at Ness Farm in January 1924.

Orkney Herald and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney & Zetland Islands Wednesday 9 January 1924.

The current 18-hole course on Ness Farm opened in July 1925.

The Google Map below shows Warbeth Road, location of the earlier course.