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Pumpherston Golf Club, West Lothian. (1895 – 1931)

The first Pumpherston golf course opened on Saturday 9 May 1896.

The club website states that the first course was located at Harrysmuir (Harry’s Muir). A new course came into being in 1908 – location still to be confirmed.

The club moved to its new course in 1931.

Report on a “famous victory” in October 1898.

West Lothian Courier Saturday 15 October 1898. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In unfavourable weather in May 1899 the members opened their course for the season with a match between teams representing the captain, G Gardiner Smith, and the vice-captain, J S Saunders. The match resulted – Captain, 6 holes; vice-captain, 7 holes.

The Ordnance Survey Map below from the 1890s shows Harry’s Muir.

O.S. Map Revised 1895 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1897}.

Little could be found on the early club prior to the following report which appeared in the West Lothian Courier Friday 21 May 1909 – “The Pumpherston golf course was formally opened last Saturday, in presence of a large turnout of members.  The greens have improved greatly under the care bestowed on them during the spring.”

Match and competition result from June 1910.

Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 24 June 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match against Winchburgh Golf Club played in June 1911.

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 16 June 1911. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Meeting held in December 1911.

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 22 December 1911. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the first Annual Ball in March 1912.

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 22 March 1912. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Midlothian Advertiser Friday 19 April 1912 –“The Pumpherston golf course will be opened on Saturday first, when a game will be played by teams representing the President and Vice-President. The course is in splendid condition.”

From the West Lothian Courier Friday 11 July 1919 – “The local golf club carried through another successful stroke competition for youths under 18 years of age, on Wednesday evening, in splendid weather. The prize winners were; James McMaster, 88; Robert Bennett, 89.”

Result of a match against Livingston in September 1922.

West Lothian Courier Friday 22 September 1922. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the May 1923 monthly medal.

West Lothian Courier Friday 25 May 1923. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1924.

West Lothian Courier Friday 15 February 1924. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1929.

West Lothian Courier Friday 22 February 1929. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the opening of the new course at Letham Park in April 1931.

West Lothian Courier Friday 17 April 1931. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.