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Tomatin Golf Club, Highland. (1905 - 1950s)

The club was founded in 1905.

The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Inverness Courier on Tuesday 18th July 1905:-

“On Saturday the new golf course at Tomatin was declared open. The proceedings commenced with an excellent speech by Mr Macdougall, Tomatin, who referred to the growing reputation of the place as a health resort, and to the necessity of providing a golf course. In introducing Mrs Macbean, of Tomatin, who had kindly consented to open the course, he handed her a presentation golf club and ball, the former bearing a suitable inscription engraved on a silver band. The president then called on Mrs Macbean to drive of the first tee, which was successfully accomplished amid the cheers of numerous spectators. Mrs Macbean was heartily thanked for her services. Mr Macbean, in responding on her behalf, expressed the pleasure it afforded them both in being present at the inauguration of the Tomatin golf course. He described the beauties of the course the splendid views from the top, the bracing air, the varied flower and bird life. He wished the club great success in its new venture.

Mr A Noble, Woodville, on behalf of the committee, thanked the president and visitors who had all contributed to the success of the occasion, particularly to Mr Machardy, of Inverness, whose advise on the selection of the site and the placing of the greens had been of the greatest assistance. At present the course consists of only six-holes, but it is intended to extend it as soon as the necessary funds are provided, there being ample space for enlargement. The sporting nature of the course affords scope for great variety of play, and, being situated about eleven hundred feet above sea level, it is probably the highest golf ground in Scotland.”

From the Inverness Courier 28 July 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

A meeting of the golf club was held in the Public Hall in June 1908, Rev. Mr Morrison presiding. The following would be the officers for the season; honorary president, L Macbean; president, F Macleod Freeburn; vice president - John Macgillivray, Morile; captain - J D Macgregor, Tomatinard; secretary – Rev. A J Morrison, The Manse; treasurer, Mr Noble.

Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 5 August 1908. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on a meeting held in April 1909.

Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 28 April 1909. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the spring meeting in April 1910.

Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 20 April 1910. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Spring meeting held in May 1913.

Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 21 May 1913. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The winner of the Mackay Cup played in July 1937 was Mr J Parker; Runner-up, J Noble. 

Report on the annual meeting in May 1942.

Inverness Courier Tuesday 12 May 1942. Image © Highland News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in May 1947.

Inverness Courier Friday 23 May 1947. Image © Highland News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Competition result from August 1953.

Inverness Courier Tuesday 25 August 1953. Image © Highland News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Inverness Courier Tuesday 27 July 1954. Image © Highland News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting in 1955; President; Mrs M D Noble; Vice-president, D Mackenzie, Morile; Secretary and treasurer, Alex Smith.

In the final of the Mackay Cup in June 1955 the winner was John MacLeod with Alex Smith runner-up.

Hopes of a revival in 1960.

Inverness Courier Friday 1 July 1960. Image © Highland News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Thanks to Mrs J Philpott for the following memories:

“My mother-in-law won the Tomatin Challenge Trophy for the first time in 1923 as Miss A Farquhar when she was 15 years old. She won it several more times as Mrs A Philpott until 1941. Her sister, Margaret Noble won the cup in 1947 and 1951. It was presented to my mother-in-law when the club finished as she had won it most frequently.

The first winner was in 1914, last winner of the cup was in 1953. I remember that the last time I walked the course it was very much overgrown with heather and the greens were all but lost. That was probably in the late 1960s or early 70s. The course was approached from the old A9 (now the scenic route through Tomatin). I imagine that it is now so absorbed into the surroundings that it is probably totally unrecognisable as a golf course”

The inscription on the above trophy reads. Noble MacPherson Challenge Trophy presented to Tomatin Golf Club for the Ladies Annual Handicap Competition.

Bartholomew Map from the time of WW2 showing the Golf Course.

Sheet 55 - Moray Firth; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1945}.