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Eyemouth Golf Club, Borders. (1880 - 1997) 

Archie Baird, renowned golf historian, who has been a great help with my research into defunct Scottish clubs and courses, writes – “Golf was played at Eyemouth as far back as 1880. A five-hole course with holes varying from 100 to 160 yards was laid out near the remains of Eyemouth Fort. The holes were saucer shaped, nine inches in diameter, scraped in the earth. The club was made out of an iron hoop from a herring barrel. It was straightened out and the bottom six inches bent to make a club head. The top foot was rounded and wound with some packing for a grip. The ball was made from a cork float from the herring net. The ball had chamfered edges and had a stone embedded in the centre. The golf ground was also used for football, cricket and quoits. W G Grace and his two brothers played two seasons for the Eyemouth Cricket Club”

Above is the layout of the early five-hole Eyemouth course at Fort Point. Sketch by Danny Stott and courtesy of Archie Baird.

The above image shows Archie Baird in the 1990s with the early “home made” club and ball that was used at Eyemouth.

Sadly, Archie Baird, the much admired golf historian, and willing helper, passed away on the 7 December 2019 aged 95.

The Eyemouth Golf Club was established in 1894 and originally played on a nine-hole course to the south side of the harbour. Archie Baird continues – “On the south side of the harbour Eyemouth Golf Club was founded in 1894 but most of the fishermen were still happy to play “Eyemouth Golf” on the Fort or on the beach. This information came mostly from Jimmie Aitchison, who, in 1995, can still remember playing with a “club” and a “ball” made by his grandfather. Danny Stott also played on the “Fort” five-hole course and made the sketch (above) of the links”   

I would also like to thank Jim Martin, former vice-president of the Eyemouth club for his valuable contribution regarding the earlier Eyemouth courses. 

In May 1894 that Sir Walter G Simpson, Bart., opened the new Eyemouth golf links. The nine-hole course with holes varying in length from 139 to 239 yards was located “along the cliffs south of the town with commanding views of the rocky coastline from St Abb’s Head to near the Holy Island,” report below.

Edinburgh Evening Dispatch Saturday 12 May 1894. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Illustrated Berwick Journal Thursday 17 May 1894. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was announced by the secretary, W McDougall, in December 1894, that an Open Handicap Competition would be played on New Year’s Day. 

Illustrated Berwick Journal Thursday 13 June 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The general meeting was held in March 1896. The following officers were appointed; Hon President, Sir Walter G Simpson (re-elected); president, Bailie Robertson; captain, David Fairburn. The Balabraes scratch trophy was won by D Hume, 94. He was also winner of the handicap badge, 94-7-87.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the Golf Links.

O.S. Map Revised 1906; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1909}.

The annual general meeting was held in the Library on the 1 March 1902, Bailie McIvor presided. Owing to an increase in expenditure it was decided to raise the annual subscriptions from 5/- to 7/6. Office bearers for the year; captain, Joseph Wood; secretary, T D Prentice, assistant, James Miller; treasurer, William McDougal, assistant, J Halliburton; Committee – Bailie McIvor, William Scott, G B Sinclair, Leonard D Robertson and A Donaldson.

The first match of the season was played on Thursday 7 March 1902 between sides chosen by the secretary and captain, result below. 

Eyemouth harbour from the golf course in the early 1900s.

The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Membership of 60; Hon. Treasurer - W McDougall, Commercial Bank, Eyemouth; Captain - D C Stephen; Entrance fee nil and subs 7s/6d; 9-holes; Bogey about 70-72; Terms for visitors - 1s a day, 2s a week and 5s per month. Pleasantly situated on Gunsgreen braes, on the bracing Berwickshire coast. Hazards are dykes, braes and gullies. 

Report on the annual meeting in 1908.

Berwick Advertiser Friday 6 March 1908. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Berwick Advertiser Friday 23 July 1909. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Presentation to Mr Halliburton in 1912,

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 30 January 1912. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in 1915.

Berwick Advertiser Friday 2 April 1915. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was decided in March 1916 that the club would suspend play for the year due to the war. 

After eight years golf returns to Eyemouth.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 9 May 1922. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was reported in July 1923 that "Eyemouth Golf Course has proved a great attraction to visitors this year. It has been so much improved during the winter months that now it is quite an ideal course. Competitions are played almost every week both for members and for visitors."  

Ayton Golf Club to be allowed to play on the Eyemouth course in 1924.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 29 July 1924. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1928; (1880); Membership 120; Secretary; Alex Carnegie, Church Street, Eyemouth; Green-keeper, G Patterson; Amateur course record; T Prentice, 69; 9-holes; Visitors, 1s/6d a day; No Sunday play.

Report on the annual meeting in 1929.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 26 March 1929. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The death of  Peter Gibson was announced in January 1931. He was Hon. secretary of Eyemouth Golf Club from its inception and for several years.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 6 October 1931. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1933; Membership 70; Secretary; E A Pressley, 2 St Ebba Road, Eyemouth; Green-keeper, A Walinck; Amateur course record; A R B Wood, 66; 9-holes; 1s/6d a day, 4s/6d a week; No Sunday play.

Result of a stroke competition played in May 1933; Peter Frew, 80-10-70; W J Lough, 83-10-73.

Troubled times in 1935.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 15 January 1935. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting in April 1935; President; J Burgess, Somerhill; Vice-president, G C Scott; Captain; A R B Wood; Vice-captain; G Collin; Secretary, R Wilson Philip; Treasurer; V J Grieve. 

Golfer's Handbook 1937; Membership 130; Secretary; R Wilson Philip, Reach Villa, Eyemouth; Green-keeper, A Walinck; Amateur course record; A R B Wood, 66; 9-holes, SSS 66; 1s/6d a day, 4s/6d a week; No Sunday play.

Report on the annual meeting in 1939.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 14 February 1939. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Match against Coldingham and St Abbs in June 1939.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 20 June 1939. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in July 1940 that "Eyemouth Golf Club, owing to present conditions, have not arranged for any competitions this season."

After nine years golf returns to Eyemouth following the war.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 11 October 1949. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1951;  Membership 45; Secretary; R P Maltman, Lily Bank, Eyemouth; Green-keeper was D Meek. The nine-hole course had a SSS of 70 and a par of 72. Amateur course record A R B Wood, 66. Visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day and 4/6 a week. Sunday play not allowed. 

Below is the result of a match played at Eyemouth against Duns Golf Club on Thursday evening 5 June 1952. Following the match the visitors were entertained at the Whale Hotel.

Report on the annual meeting in November 1953.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 24 November 1953. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1956/7; Membership 80; Secretary; D Meek, 15 Church Street, Eyemouth; Green-keeper, W Crombie; 9-holes, 4,252 yards, Par and SSS, 72; Visitors, 2s/6 a day, 10s a week; No Sunday Play. 

Result of a match played in June 1958.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 12 June 1958. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1961 - 1964; (1880); Membership 80; Secretary; C Dougal; Green-keeper, W Crombie; 9-holes, 4,400 yards, SSS 64; Visitors, 2s/6d a round, 10s a week, 17s/6d a fortnight, 25s a month; No Sunday play.

Golfer's Handbook 1966; (1880); Membership 80; Secretary; S Aitchison, 27 Queens Road, Eyemouth; Green-keeper, J Paxton; Amateur course record; A and J Aitchison, 65; 9-holes, 4,424 yards, SSS 64; Visitors, 2s/6d a day, 10s a week, 17s/6d fortnight, 25s a month; Sunday play allowed.

Alterations were made to the course in about 1970 when the deep water harbour was opened. In 1995 a new road was built across the course to the basin. (Jim Martin)  

The revised 1970 ten-hole course at Eyemouth. Image courtesy of Jim Martin.

Below is the scorecard for the Eyemouth ten-hole course. Eight holes were played twice, the sixth and fifteenth once (Jim Martin).

Golfer's Handbook 1972 - 1975; (1880); Private; Mansion House; Membership 150; Secretary, J Drysdale; 9-holes, 4,424 yards, SSS 62; Amateur course record; James Aitchison, 60; Visitors 25p a day (75p weekend).

Result of a match played at Goswick in May 1973.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 10 May 1973. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Centenary competition in 1980.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 29 May 1980. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1982; (1880); Private; Membership 250; Secretary, I Fairburn; Professional, C Maltman; 9-holes, 5,500 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record; Ian Aitchison, 67; Visitors, £2 (£5 weekend).

Playing in the Ford Tournament in April 1983 Alan Black equalled the course record with a score of 62.

Golfer's Handbook 1985 - 1988; (1880); Membership 250; Secretary, J W Fleming; Professional, C Maltman; 9-holes, 5,500 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record; James Patterson, 60; Visitors, £3 (£4).

Golfer's Handbook 1991; (1880); Membership 240; Secretary, C Jeffries; Professional, C Maltman; 9-holes, 4,608 metres, SSS 65; Amateur course record: J Patterson, 61; Visitors, £7.

It was reported in July 1992 that the Eyemouth professional, Craig Maltman, had been named in the European PGA team to meet the US later in the year.

Golfer's Handbook 1994/95; (1880); Membership 310; Secretary, M Hope; Professional, C Maltman; 9-holes, 4,608 metres, SSS 65; Amateur course record; J Patterson, 61 (1991); Visitors, £9.

The current Eyemouth 18-hole course was laid out in 1997.