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

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

The first short lived course was located at Harrysmuir (Harry’s Muir).

A new course came into being in 1908. This course was located south of the Oil Works.

The club moved to its new course in 1931.

Layout of the course at Harry's Muir in 1896.

Edinburgh Evening Dispatch Tuesday 12 May 1896. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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}.

Nothing further was found on the earlier club and course.

Report below on the opening of the new course in 1908. The report mentions the course was located south of the Oil Works. The club played on this course for over 20 years. 

West Lothian Courier Friday 24 July 1908. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Next mention found was 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.” 

Report on the annual meeting in April 1910.

West Lothian Courier Friday 22 April 1910. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Match and competition result from June 1910.

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

Results of matches played in June 1911.

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

West Lothian Courier Friday 23 June 1911. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

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.”

Opening of the 1913 season.

West Lothian Courier Friday 25 April 1913. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Play resumes following WW1.

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.

Result of a match played in May 1924.

West Lothian Courier Friday 16 May 1924. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1925.

West Lothian Courier Friday 20 February 1925. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1926.

West Lothian Courier Friday 26 March 1926. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

West Lothian Courier Friday 16 July 1926. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1927.

West Lothian Courier Friday 11 March 1927. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in April 1928.

West Lothian Courier Friday 20 April 1928. 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.

West Lothian Courier Friday 21 November 1930. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

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

Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 17 April 1931 - "Pumpherston Golf Club open their new course at Letham Park at an early date. The clubhouse has been removed from the old course and re-erected on the new site."

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

Ordnance Survey Map below from the time of WW1 shows the Oil Works. The course (not marked) was located south of the Works.

O.S. Map Revised 1913; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1922).