The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Winchburgh Golf Club, West Lothian. (1907 - WW2)

The original club in Winchburgh was at Faucheldean and continued to the outbreak of WW1.

In the 1920s a 9-hole course was laid out at Niddry Castle and continued until WW2.

The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 24 May 1907. “WINCHBURGH GOLF CLUB – Opening of New Course – Since it was announced some three months ago that a club had been formed at Winchburgh, and ground secured for a course at Tippet Knowes, no time has been lost in laying out the ground. Play has been going on for a few weeks, and the course was formally opened on Saturday.

Mr Agnew Ralston, Philipstoun House, hon. president of the club, was abroad and unable to attend. Members and friends numbering about 60 were present when Mr P Somervail of Glendevon, declared the course open. Mrs H Armour of Niddry Mains was called on to drive the first ball. Mrs Armour was presented with a handsome cleek by Dr Bartholomew, on behalf of the club, and with it she gracefully struck the first ball.

Description of the Course – As the name Tippet Knowes implies, the ground of the course is on a series of knows (knoll,) four of which are tipped with trees, hence probably the name. The ground extending to some 42 acres of meadowland has been laid out by Mr. D Anderson, of the Edinburgh Braid Hills Club. Excellent use has been made of the many natural hazards, which the clump of trees, the grassy ridges and banks, the small quarry, the general undulating nature of the ground, the Gelendevon Burn, which bounds the course on the north for its entire length, provide.The whole result is a course measurement of over three miles for the double round. Only two of the greens have required making up, and for the others rolling and dressing are being effectively carried on.

The tee for the first hole of 230 yards is near the eastern entrance gate, which is within 12 minutes walk of Winchburgh station. In this hole no difficulty is encountered until the player approaches the green, which is placed ona saddle between two of the patches of trees and near the highest point of the course. Hole two, the short hole of 167 yards, to the foot of the brae at the east end of the course, is most deceptive in appearance. Most players fancy it is an easy cleek shot, but find it requires a bit of doing with an iron club. Hole three, the long hole of 526 yards, starts with a drive up a fairly steep and rounded hill and a carelessly placed drive suffers badly, the first taste of the burn being occasionally obtained. Good brassey play may now be had, but the sloping nature of the ground when the burn, which introduces a dog-leg variety to this hole, is too closely approached, lands many a sliced shot in trouble. Hole four, 292 yards long, is over a fine open stretch to the saddle, wher a double green is formed with number one, and involves a careful approach, owing to the sudden drop of the ground just over the green. Hole five, 372 yards, the tee is in a clearing amongst th trees of the second knowe. The first 50 yards, though quite open, is boulder strewn, and a foozled or topped shot is usually severely penalised. More brassey play brings the player to the first of the made greens, near Glendevon House. Hole six, 313 yards, is over more knowes, and in this instance the green is protecte by an outstanding tree of the western clump, and a small quarry hole. Hole seven, 220 yards, the drive to which is is through a sufficient clearing amongst the trees, which are here growing on a high grassy bank, also requires to be well taken. Hole eight, 242 yards, is played at an angle through a glade and over another double grassy ridge between two of the clumps of trees, forms another testing line. By a short walk of about seventy yards up to the side of the woode nicely placed teing ground for the ninth-hole of 306 yards is reaced. In this hole the boundary introduces itself at a point where a long drive slightly sliced is penalised. The approach to the home green, which, like five others, is hidden from the tee, is somewhat difficult to find on account of the rounded knowe in front, many shots rolling to the right or left on that account, but the green, which is one of the made-upbowling green order, is easily negotiated.

The Winchburgh club are to be congratulated on having such an interesting cours, and having it so well laid out. They are also fortunate in having been so early presented with a handsome medal for competition, the donor, Mr. D F Mackenzie, one of the originators of the now famous Norton Hall course. With a membership of 60 ladies and gentlemen, success is already assured.”

Match against Broxburn in June 1908.

West Lothian Courier Friday 12 June 1908. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played at Winchburgh against Broxburn in June 1910.

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

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

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

The annual meeting was held in the Public School on Thursday 14 March 1912. The treasurer read the financial report which showed that the club was in a healthy position. The following office-bearers were appointed; Hon. president, A Agnew Ralston; hon. vice-presidents, A D Maclagan, H Armour, J Black; captain, H C Weir; vice-captain, William Scott; hon. secretary, P Munnoch; hon. treasurer, H C Weir.

Opening of the season in April 1912.

Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 26 April 1912. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the course in May 1912.

Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 17 May 1912. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

West Lothian Courier Friday 14 February 1913. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1913.

West Lothian Courier Friday 21 March 1913. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The club went into abeyance at the time of WW1.

Ordnance Survey Map from the time of WW1 showing the Winchburgh Golf Course,

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

The Winchburgn Golf Club course at Niddry Castle opened in 1924. It was sometimes called Niddry Castle Golf.

Below is a report on a meeting held in April 1924. 

From the Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 18 April 1924. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Opening of the new course in April 1924.

From the Linlithgowshire Gazette Friday 2 May 1924. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1926 an advert appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News for Winchburgh Golf Club. It was listed as a nine-hole course and there were a “few vacancies” for membership. Gent’s entrance fee was 5/- and subscriptions 15/- Ladies, 2/6 and 10/- visitors paid 1/- a day.

A mixed foursome played on the Niddry Castle course on Tuesday 13 July 1926 was won by Miss A Scott and William Neil.

On Tuesday 21 September 1926 the final of the championship of Niddry Castle Golf Club was played between Alan Steedman and William Johnston. Steedman won by 5 and 3. 

The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse in March 1927. The secretary, Tom Rutherford, read the minutes of the last meeting and submitted the financial statement, both were approved. The president, Mr Peutherer, referred to the impending departure of the secretary, who was leaving shortly for Canada along with his parents. He was sure he was voicing the opinion of the members when he said that their loss would be some others' gain. The following officers were elected; Hon. president, Dr. J Fraser Orr; president, J F Peutherer; vice-president, R D Thomson; secretary, James Johnston; treasurer, Charles Boag; match secretary, R Dickson; captain, James Wilson; vice-captain, Robert Scott; green-keeper, William Neil.

Further report.

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

Linlithgowshire Gazettet Friday 19 December 1930. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1931.

Linlithgowshire Gazettet Friday 3 April 1931. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

West Lothian Courier Friday 3 July 1931. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The annual meeting was held in April 1932 when the following officers were elected; President, Mr. J Peutherer; secretary - J Wilson, 60 Abercorn Place, Winchburgh; treasurer, James Johnston.

Broxburn Golf Club held their annual open meeting on the Drumshoreland course on Saturday 21 May 1932. About 40 golfers competed for the silver rose bowl. The winner was J Wilson (Winchburgh), 84-18-66; runner-up, R Sinclair (Winchburgh), 90-18-72.

In August 1935 J McEwan won the Maclagan Cup. Mr McEwan previously won the Marquis Cup partnered by Mrs Jas. Duncan

Result of a Gent's foursome played in May 1936; A Johnstone and C Borthwick (18,) 66; J L Wilson and P McLean (19,) 71; R Wilson and James Mackie (20,) 73. Singles competition, leading scores; James Mackie (23,) 64; A Wilson (21,) 66; James Wilson (14,) 66; Robert Wilson (66,); Thomas Archibald (14,) 68; A Johnston (11,) 71;  B Duffin (18,) 74.

Result of the August 1936 monthly medal; J Wilson (13,) 72; B Duffin (18,) 74.

In the final of the club championship played on the Niddry Castle course in August 1937 R Wilson defeated J M Wilson 3 and 1.

Midlothian Advertiser Friday 3 September 1937. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Social and prize presentation in December 1937.

West Lothian Courier Friday 17 December 1937. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The opening game of the season took place on Saturday 16 April 1938 with a Captain's versus Vice-Captain's match.

Linlithgowshire Gazettet Friday 22 April 1938. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the monthly medal June 1938; J M Wilson (7,) 69; James L Wilson (13,) 74; Robert McLean (24,) 76; A Wilson (11,) 76; A Youngson (17,) 78.

Location of the Winchburgh course on Tippet Knowes.