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Ardersier/Fort George Golf Club, Inverness. (1907 - 1920s)
The course first appeared in 1907.
The club was sometimes called Ardersier and Fort George Golf Club.
It was reported in October 1907 that a competition took place on the newly opened course, results as follows; Ladies; Miss J Campbell, Nairn, 52; Miss B Young, Ardersier, 54; Miss C Young, Ardersier, 59; Gentlemen's Competition; William McIntosh, Ardersier, 48; James Russell, Treeton, 50; John Smith, Fort George, 52. The nine-hole course was stated as "being exceedingly rough and very difficult to play on."
Below the announcement of the opening of the course in July 1908.
From the Inverness Courier Tuesday 7 July 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The annual general meeting was held in the Public School on Friday 2 April 1909. Major A B Ritchie, Seaforth Highlanders, president of the club, occupied the chair. The accounts for the year were considered highly satisfactory. Dr. Lindsay, captain of the club, reported on the work of the club during the season, and on leaving office nominated Captain Campion, Seaforth Highlanders, as his successor. Colonel Russell, Treeton, vice-president, thanked Major Ritchie for presiding, and he, in replying, said that he would like to present the club with a prize for competition.
Nairnshire Telegraph and General Advertiser for the Northern Counties Tuesday 11 May 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Below are reports on the opening of the new clubhouse and course in July 1909.
From the Inverness Courier Tuesday 6 July 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 22 July 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In September 1909 the annual competition for the Colonel Russell's Challenge Cup and badges took place. The winner of the cup and gold badge was Mr D Macbean with a score of 173; Second place was Mr J Maclean, 177; Third place Mr J Smith, 179.
Above postcards franked Ardersier 1910. Images courtesy of David S Low.
Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 30 March 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 11 May 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In July 1911 the Ardersier club played a match at Rosemarkie against the Fortrose and Rosemarkie Golf Club, the home team won by 8 matches to 4. The visitors were entertained to tea in the clubhouse.
Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland Wednesday 5 March 1913. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Prior to WWI Frederick Joseph Rickets (also known as Kenneth J Alford) wrote the famous “Colonel Bogey” march while stationed at Fort George with the 2nd Battalion of the Argylls. Ricketts’ widow later wrote “While playing golf on the Fort George course, one of the members whistled the first two notes (B flat and G) instead of calling fore!! and with impish spontaneity was answered by my husband with the next few notes. There was little sauntering and Moray Firth’s stiff breezes encouraged a good crisp stride. These little scraps of of whistling appeared to “catch on” with the golfers, from that beginning the Quick March was built up”
The course was taken over in WW1 to aid the war effort.
The clubs final appearance was in the late 1920s; the secretary at the time was H Brooks of Fort George Station House, Ardersier and the professional W Macintosh, who joined the club in 1915, remaining there until 1927. It was a 9-hole course with a membership of 60. Course record was held by J Forrest with a score of 33. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 2/6d a week and 5/- a month. The railway station at Fort George was 1 ¼ miles away.
Fort George Railway Station (Terminus).
Map showing the location of Ardersier Golf Club at Fort George.