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Leith Links Golf, City of Edinburgh. (1724 - 1897)
Below a report on golf on Leith Links in April 1724.
From the Caledonian Mercury Monday 6th April 1724. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Many clubs played on Leith Links but the more notable are as follows:-
In 1744 the members of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers played on the links. They moved to Musselburgh in 1836, and finally to Muirfield in 1891.
Leith Thistle, founded in 1815, also played on Leith Links.
On New Years Day 1885 a competition was played by Leith Golf Club on the Links, this club continued until at least 1897.
Below is a report of a match played on Leith Links in April 1744.
From the Caledonian Mercury Tuesday 3rd April 1744. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Image courtesy of Scottish Golf History www.scottishgolfhistory.org
Below the competition for the Silver Club in 1750. The article gives a date of Dec 3rd, this must be October.
From The Scots Magazine Friday 2nd November 1750. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The competition for the Edinburgh Silver Club was played on the 25th June 1752 and was won by Lord Drummore "at fewer strokes than it was ever won before."
On Saturday 17th February 1776 "the long contested golf match betwixt Edinburgh and Leith, was played for on Leith Links, and won by the former." Also in February the Silver Cups, given by the Society of Golfers was played for and won by Robert Allan, merchant in Edinburgh.
In January 1777 the Silver Cups were won by James Dalrymple.
In March 1778 the Silver Cups were won by Thomas Stoddart, merchant in Leith.
In February 1789 the Silver Club was won by Thomas Mure, of Warrilton.
Below is a report on the Leith Thistle Golf Club from June 1820.
From the Globe Wednesday 14th June 1820. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Below a professional match in March 1879.
From the Glasgow Evening Post Thursday 20th March 1879. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of a competition played by the Leith Golf Club on Leith Links on New Year's Day 1885. The following were the prize winners; W Archibald, R Dunn, R Robinson, C Gibson, J Paterson, A Roger, W Mackie, J Doig, G Millar, D Rolland, W K Smith, J Darney, A J Wilson, D Coutts and R Hutchison. A Foursome was played between D Rolland and J Darney against J Simpson (prof.) and W Dowie, the latter couple had an easy victory.
Below is the entry from the Golfing Annual 1888/89.
Below the Honorable Company announce the move to the new course in 1890.
From the Glasgow Evening Post Wednesday 15th October 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The following is an extract from a letter that appeared in the Shield Daily News in July 1891. "It was my custom to proceed to Leith for a quite game of golf on Leith Links, now, alas, no longer devoted to the Royal and Ancient game.
Below evidence of golf being played after 1891.
The competition for the monthly medals was played over the Leith Links on Saturday 5th December 1891; A Strath won the scratch medal with 76; P Stoddart the handicap medal, 78-12-76.
October 1894; Leith Club - The Archibald Cup competition took place over Leith Links on Saturday. Mr Kummerer won the cup with a score of 85-16-69. The next scores were; James Drysdale, 95-12-83; David Reid, 98-12-86; Alex Aitchinson, 102-10-92.
November 1897; Leith Club - This club held their first monthly competition over the Leith course On Saturday. The best scores handed in were by J Johnston and C Lumsden, who therefore tied for the medal.
Full history of Leith Links on Scottish Golf History:-
http://www.scottishgolfhistory.org/oldest-golf-sites/1619-leith-links/
Thanks to Peter Stubbs for allowing us to reproduce the above, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.