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North Berwick Ladies’ Golf Club, East Lothian. (1888 – 1935)
The Ladies’ course was located were the present “Wee Course" is nowadays.
The Ladies club was formed in 1888. The ladies’ had a wooden pavilion in the grounds of the Marine Hotel.
During the 1920s the ladies eventually played more competitions on the East and West Courses.
In 1935 the ladies began playing permanently on the West Course and shared the main clubhouse facilities with the parent club.
Also included in this article is a mention for the Angus Golf Club, North Berwick, that appeared in the 1920s.
From the 1888 Golfing Annual.
Report on the opening of the course in July 1888.
Haddingtonshire Courier Friday 6 July 1888. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Below is the result of the first monthly competition played by The Ladies’ Club.
Sporting Gazette Saturday 4 August 1888. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch Wednesday 29 August 1888; “North Berwick, 1.50 P.M. – This afternoon the most popular, if not the the most important competition since the institution of the Ladies’ Golf Club at North Berwick, takes place over the links in front of the Marine Hotel. The club, it will be remembered, was only formed on the 1 June last, and already it possesses a membership of 70. It receives support not only from residents, but from the many summer visitors who every year spend a month or two at this fashionable watering place. Today’s handicap competition is for a beautiful gold bangle set with pearls presented by the Marchioness of Tweeddale, who takes a great interest in the success of the club. Her Ladyship had intended to be present to hand over the bracelet to the winner, but Mr Dunnn, the green-keeper, has received a letter the Marquis regretting that, owing to family bereavement, she will not be able to attend. There are four other prizes to be competed for, the second in order of merit being presented by Mr Vogel, Marine Hotel. The entries are the most numerous of any competition yet held.”
There was much interest and a great following for the above competition. Miss Gillies Smith, the champion of East Lothian, was not in form and was easily beaten by Miss Thomas.
In September 1888 the monthly competition for the gold mdeal was won by Miss Gillies Smith with a scratch score of 69. The prizes were presented by the Right Hon. A J Balfour.
Results on the summer meeting in 1890.
Field Saturday 2 August 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From “Golf” Friday 10 July 1891 – “The Ladies’ fine course was pretty busily occupied last week, the summer competitions of the North Berwick Ladies’ Club being now in full swing, and over the long course also the fair votaries of the Royal game were by no means conspicuous by their absence,”
The Gentlewoman Saturday 1 October 1892. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 31 August 1895. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Golf Friday 25 June 1897. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The Queen Saturday 28 September 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In June 1904 the Scratch Medal was won by Mrs Coupar with a score of 59.
From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Number of members, 270; 66 gentlemen (life); 32 Hon. Associates; Hon. secretary – C L Blaikie, St Catherine’s, North Berwick; Entrance fee, 10s, Subs, 10s; Nine-holes; Amateur record; Miss B Anderson, 26; Fixtures – Competitions are held in June, July, August and September (one each month); Terms for visitors, 1s a day, 5s a week, 10s a month, £1 four months, £2 a year.
Postcard from the 1900s.
From the 1912 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; North Berwick Ladies' Golf Club; Instituted 1889; Members; Ladies, 335; Gentlemen (life), 59; Hon. Associates, 19; Hon. secretary - R M McKechnie, Clydesdale Bank, North Berwick; Entrance Fee, 10s and Subs, 10s; 9-holes; Visitors, 1s a day, 5s a week, 10s a month, £1 four months, £2 a year; No Sunday play.
The ladies’ club to play competitions for the first time on the West and East Links.
Edinburgh Evening News Tuesday 15 July 1913. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Tatler Wednesday 29 April 1914. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The Queen Saturday 4 July 1914. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
It was reported in May 1916 that Thomas Smail, green-keeper at the ladies club, was relinquishing his position. He had been at the club for nearly fifteen years.
Competition result from April 1922, and scorecard for the Angus Golf Club, North Berwick, in the 1920s.
Campbeltown Courier Saturday 22 April 1922. Image © Wyvex Media Land td. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Course scorecard for the Angus Golf Club, North Berwick.
From the 1928 Golfer’s Handbook; There are two 18-hole courses at North Berwick and a private nine-hole course belonging to the ladies’ club at the west end of the town.
Miss M J Couper, North Berwick, Scottish Ladies' Golf Champion in 1933.
The Scotsman Friday 16 June 1933. Image © National World Publishing Ltd.
Thanks to Tony Muldoon who sent us a copy of the current "Wee Course" scorecard below. It's thought the course may have had a few changes from the original Ladies' course. The current ninth would have been the first, they would have finished on the current eighth hole.
