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Cumbrae Golf Club, Millport, Ayrshire. (1888 - 1920s)

The club was founded 1n 1888.

In 1913 an additional 18-hole course was laid out by James Braid, this course was abandoned in the 1920s. 

The Cumbrae Golf Club was founded in 1888 by a group of golfers from Glasgow who originally used it as a 9-hole holiday course. The first trophy was presented by Sir Matthew Arthur in 1888. Another trophy donated in the early years was a silver cleek for matches between Cumbrae and Rothesay. It was presented by Andrew Graham Murray MP and is still played for annually between Millport and Rothesay. 

The following is taken from the Golfing Annual 1888/89; Instituted April 1888; No Entrance Fee; Annual Subscriptions, 10s/6d; Membership of 70; Patrons - Marquis of Bute, Earl of Glasgow; Lord Advocate (J P B Robertson, Esq., Q.C., M.P); Matthew Arthur, Esq., and John Clark, Esq.,; Captain - J Windsor Stuart; Vice-Captain - Rev F H Shearer; Committee - Provost Brown, W Barclay, A G Muir, J W Purves, A Sharp, W F B Buchannan, J Hutton, J R Motion, G Newton, A Raeside, R Scott and J Stevenson; Hon. Secretary - James Morgan, 15 Oswall Street, Glasgow; Local Secretary - William Martin, Freeland, Millport; Green-keeper - David Cuthbert. Prize winners in 1888 - Captain's Medal, William McFarlane 89 net; Local Secretary's Prize, J L W Watt 93 scratch; Vice-Captain's, D Robertson 94-9-85; Arthur Cup, A Mure Steele 103-12-91. The lowest scratch score in a club competition is 92, made by James R Motion, in two rounds of 45 and 47, at the autumn competition in 1888. "The new links are only 10 minutes' walk from the old pier, and in the experience of golfers, the ground is admirably suites. The situation is one of the finest in Scotland ."    

Below is the result of the March 1890 monthly medal.

From the Glasgow Evening Post Monday 10 March 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition results from November 1891.

Golf - Friday 27 November 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The half yearly competition for the Smart Medal was played on Thursday 19 May 1892. Two ballots were held, one at 2pm, the other at 5. The earlier players had much the better weather, those who set of at five had to contend with rain, making the greens heavy. Following are the leading scores; William McFarlane (3), 93; John Reid (15), 94; R F Watson (18), 95; J Waddell (12), 100; J Houston (6), 100; T McFarlane (6), 101; J C Sharpe (4), 103; W Ross (18), 104; A Cameron (8), 105; A Russell (14), 105; J Cunningham (18), 106. 

Below the result of a one club competition played in December 1895.

From the Glasgow Evening Post Tuesday 24 December 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

On Saturday 23 July 1898 a match for visitors took place on the Cumbrae course, the prize was given by Mr Fergus, photographer. Leadimg scores; R G Crawford, 87; P Barclay, 91; James Wylie 95; J J Gilchrist, 97; James Heggie, 99; J Gilchrist, 101. 

September 1898 saw the conclusion of a ladies competition that had been running for four months, the prize was a handsome silver dressing table set, donated by Miss Hendry. The three lowest scores counted, result; Miss McKean 76,83,80- 239; Miss Rose 78,76,90-244. 

The map below shows the Cumbrae Golf Course (prior to changing its name to Millport). This map is long before the Lower Cumbrae or Upper Cumbrae Reservoirs appeared. 

The above map is marked Cumbrae Golf Course, Mill Burn is to the bottom left. Reproduced from the {1896} Ordnance Survey Map.

The club changed its name from Cumbrae Golf Club to Millport in 1900. The Millport club continues to play its golf at this location.

Just prior to WW1 the game of golf was growing in popularity and Milltown opened another course to cope with the extra demand. Unfortunately this club only survived until the mid 1920s. 

International match played at Millport in July 1913.

Sports Argus Saturday 26 July 1913. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

James Braid was back at Millport in November 1913 to lay out the new 18-hole course.

Report on the additional 18-hole course at Millport from The Scotsman Thursday 6 November 1913 - "NEW COURSE FOR MILLPORT - For some time Millport Golf Club have been negotiating with Lord Bute for an additional 18-hole course, as the present one has proven inadequate for the demands put upon it. The negotiations have terminated successfully, and the new course, which is to the east and south of the present one is expected to be ready for use next summer. The club intend also to extend the golf house, which has not sufficient accommodation for the increasing number of visitors. It is expected that the club will have the assistance of James Braid in the laying out the new course." 

From James Braid and his 400 Four Hundred Golf Courses written by John F Moreton and Iain Cumming - "It was decided to build a second course at Cumbrae. Ambitious, indeed, and it was Braid that the club turned. In a map in a local paper we can see the relationship of the old course to the new, the old course shorter and resembling a figure of eight on its side, the new course longer, more compact, and more imaginatively laid out.  The turf for both was "old and of the best quality". Hazards abounded naturally, hillocks, stone walls, streams, and the scenery and views were magnificent. The new course had a stern finish, four of the last five holes being 400 yards or over. It was built over the winter months and was ready in early summer 1914." 

If anyone has any information on the demise of the second course please get in touch via the "Contact Us" facility on the website homepage.