Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream. (1910

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Hirsel Golf Club, Coldstream. (1910 – 2024)

There is mention of the Hirsel Golf Course in the Edinburgh Evening News Thursday 14 July 1910 – “A fine specimen of the Osprey or Sea Hawk has been found on Hirsel Golf Course, Coldstream. It measured six feet from tip to tip of wing.”

The original Hirsel Golf Club became defunct in 1914, report below.

Berwickshire News Tuesday 25 October 1949. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

There was an earlier club in Coldstream called Lennel Golf Club (1910 – 1948). This club was wound up following WW2 (see separate entry on this website for the history of Lennel Golf Club).

The later Hiresl nine-hole course opened in May 1949; it was extended to eighteen-holes in May 1994; new clubhouse formally opened in September 1996.

The club and course suddenly and unexpectedly closed following the AGM in September 2024.

Report on the new course in February 1949.

Berwickshire News and General Advertiser Tuesday 15 February 1949. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 12 May 1949. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in 1951.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 5 April 1951. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Prize presentation took place in October 1951, prizes presented by Lady Bridget Douglas Home; Jackson Challenge Cup (Ladies); Mrs John Pamer, runner-up, Miss H Ford; John Palmer Challenge Cup (Boys); George Robson, runner-up, Gordon McRoberts; Archibald Cup; John Fulton, W Jackson; Williamson Cup; Andrew Stavert, John Fulton; Challenge Cup and Club Championship; John Nelson, Ronald McClure (Holder); Captain’s Prize (ladies); Mrs G Turnbull, Mrs W Jackson; Captain’s Prize (Gents); John Sloan, W FordFamily Foursome; Mrs W McClure and R McClure.

Mixed match on the Hirsel course against Magdalene Fields played in June 1952 resulted in a half; Hirsel team; Miss Duncan and J R M Moffat, 0; Mrs Ford and W T Ford, 0; Mrs McClure and R McClure, 0; Miss Thorburn and John Lillico, 1; Mrs Palmer and J W Nelson, 0; Miss Ford and W Jackson, 1; Mrs Gilchrist and J T Gilchrist, 1; Miss Whitelaw and A K Stavert, 1.

In May 1953 Eyemouth were the visitors in a four-ball match, the home teamwere the victors by 7 matches to 1; Hirsel team; J R M Moffat and J Lillico, 0; R McClure and W T Ford, 1; G R Turnbull and J E Sinclair,1; H Cameron and W Jacckson, 1;J T Gilchrist and D S Gibson, 1; A K Stavert and P Combe,1; M Penny and E J Harvey, 1; A G Calder and J Gardner, 1.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 1 October 1953. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1954.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 18 February 1954. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

At the annual meeting in February 1955 it was announced that the club had been successful in obtaining one of the huts at the course to be used as a clubhouse. This would prove a great benefit to all, and especially to visitors. The following officers were appointed; Hon. President, Earl of Home; President, J A Jameson; Vice-president, William Jackson; Captain, J R M Moffat; Vice-captain, M Penny; Secretary, P Combe; Treasurer, J Gardner; Ladies’ captain, J M Whitelaw; Ladies’ committee – Mrs J M Palmer

Prize presentation in 1955.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 6 October 1955. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 15 November 1956. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 3 July 1958. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Club officials for 1960; President, J A Jamieson; Vice-president, W Jackson; Captain, J E Sinclair; Vice-captain, M S Dagg; Hon. secretary, Peter Combe; Hon match secretary, James Gardner; Treasurer, G R Turnbull; Green ranger, Hugh Cameron; Ladies captain, Mrs J Gardner; Ladies’ match secretary, Mrs W McClure.

In July 1960 John Lillico won the club championship. Over three rounds he returned a gross score of 231. Ha had a three shot lead over the runner-up, W Ford.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 7 June 1962. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The first inter-club match of the season was played at Goswick in April 1963. The away team only halved one match. Hirsel team; J Lillico and R Reltie; M Boyle and J Fulton; M S Dagg and J Raeburn; W Common and J Gardner; W Martin and J Ridpeath; W Jackson and W Ford; E J Harvey; E J Harvey and R L Small.

Result of the Captain’s Prize played in August 1965; W J Young, 84-19-65; J Dickson, 88-21-67.

In June 1966 the competition for the Palmer Cup was played. The winner was Neil R Mitchell, 90 -24-66; Colin Johnstone, 105-32-73. The cup was presented by George A Robson, the first winner of the cup in 1950.

In May 1967 the annual jumble, cake and candy sale organised by the committee and members was held in the Town Hall. It proved to be a great success raising over £84.

In the Sloan Trophy played in July 1967 the winner was Leslie Dalgleish five up on bogey; runner-up, Michael Boyle, 3 up.

In August 1967 sixteen year old J T Martin, Hirsel Golf Club, was invited to play in a Scottish junior international trial; in the afternoon he won the Daily Telegraph Cup in the holiday competition at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Martin, a three handicap player, had only one other single single figure challenger in a large field. He went round in 72 and won by 6 strokes.

In May 1969 a competition for prizes given by Mr James Rutherford was played. The winner was John Fulton, 39 scratch; runner-up, David Gardner, 40. The youngest competitor was Martin Rutherford, 47 net.

Ladies’ results from August 1969; August medal; Miss R Thorburn (20), 67; August medal (extra), Mrs J Gardiner (18), 64; Henderson Trophy; Mrs J Law; runners-up, Mrs R Lillico and Mrs J Murray.

In April 1970 there was a good turnout to see the captain, Dennis Stother, drive off the first ball of the season. It was followed by the usual mixed foursome; Winners, Mrs J A Janieson and Ian Raeburn; Runners-up, Mrs G Smith and vice-captain Jim Patterson.

Postcard from the 1970s.

In June 1971 the Palmer Cup for the Boys’ club was won by Malcolm Simpson, 90-26-64; Runner-up was Billy Rutherford, 83-10-73; Third place, David Williamson, 103-28-75.

From the Golfer’s Handbook 1972 -1975; Membership, 170; Secretary, W J McConnell; 9-holes, 5,680 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record, 69; Visitors, 30p (50p at weekend).

In May 1973 a new course record of 68 was set in the Jackson Cup by 17 year old James D Gardner. The previous record of 69 was set five years previously by W Martin.

Result of the May 1974 monthly medal; Eric Tait, 76-14-62; Michael Brydon, 87-24-63; Richard Tait, 70-6-64. The following qualified for the club championship; Ronnie Turnbull, Richard Tait, Eric Tait, Jimmie Sinclair,

David Gardner, George A Rutherford, Billy Rutherford, James Allan and Neil Mitchell.

Golfers’ Handbook 1982 – 1985; The Hirsel; Membership, 350; Secretary, R C Sturrock; 9-holes, 5,680 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record, N Smith and J McDonald, 67; Visitors, £2.20p (£3); in 1985 £3 (£5).

Golfer’s Handbook 1988; Membership, 175; Secretary, I F Sproule; 9-holes, 5,680 yards, SSS68; Amateur course record, J Martin, 66 (1987); Visitors, £3.50 (£4.50).

In June 1988 Ian Sproule won the club championship, beating the defending champion Bruce Lunn 6 and 5. Alice Raeburn retained the ladies championship defeating Jean Quarry 3 and 2.

It was reported in December 1990 that work had started on extending the course to 18-holes, it was likely to take two years.

Golfer’s Handbook 1991; Membership, 270; Secretary, G H Toyne; 9-holes 5,680 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record, M Ledgerwood, 64 (1990); Visitors, £6 (£8).

Edinburgh Evening News Friday 11 February 1994. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the opening of the 18-hole course in 1994.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 5 May 1994. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1994 – 1998; Membership, 500; Secretary, J C Balfour; 18-holes, 6,092 yards, SSS 69; Amateur course record, M Ledgerwood, , 64 (1993); Visitors, £10 (£15); in 1998, £15 (£20).

From the Berwickshire Advertiser Thursday 6 April 1995 – “John Thompson won the Hirsel Golf Club Match Secretary’s Cup on Sunday with an excellent 65 net. Played in sunny but blustery conditions, the competition was a keenly contested affair. Runner-up was John Leifer with 70 net, and third place went to Terry Frame, 71 net.

The death was announced in October 1995 of Sir Alec Douglas-Home. Right up to the time of his death he remained the Honorary President of the Hirsel Golf Club whose development he had followed closely and he was thrilled when the club extended the course to 18-holes, taking it right up to the walled garden of his home.

Prize presentation in November 1996.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 14 November 1996. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in 1997 that the Hirsel Golf Club, which had flourished in recent years, was voted the most friendly club in the Borders.

Berwick Advertiser Thursday 25 December 1997. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 2002 P Campbell won the Hirsel Golf Club’s Swans of Kelso Winter League with J Minto runner-up. J Abercrombie was third, S Cockburn fourth, D Mole fifth and M Atkin sixth.

In September 2002 teenager Louise Fleming from the Hirsel club won the South Division women’s championship scoring 76 and 75 over the Stranraer course. She won the Sophie Gifford trophy that goes with the title by three strokes from Christina Meldrum (Stranraer).

Golfer’s Handbook 2002; Membership, 800; Secretary and professional, K M Lobban; 18-holes, 6,111 yards, SSS 70; Visitors, £20 (£27).

Golfer’s Handbook 2004; Membership, 800; Secretary, S A Galbraith; 18-holes, 6,111 yards, SSS 70; Visitors, £24 (£30).

Golfer’s Handbook 2006; Membership, 800; Secretary, Mrs Diane Nichol; 18-holes, 6,111 yards, SSS 70; Visitors, £28 (£30).

Golfer’s Handbook 2007; ; Membership, 700; Secretary, Mrs Diane Nichol; 18-holes, 6,024 yards, SSS 70; Visitors, £30 (£36).

Golfer’s Handbook 2008; Membership, 700; Secretary, Mrs Diane Nichol; 18-holes, 6,024 yards, SSS 70; Visitors, £32 (£38).

Golfer’s Handbook 2009; Membership, 500; Secretary, Mrs Diane Nichol; 18-holes, 6,024 yards, SSS 70; Visitors, £33 (£39).

The secretary from 2010 to 2014 was Allan Rodger.

The Golfer’s Handbook ceased publication in 2015.

The following unexpected statement appeared on the club facebook page on 14 September 2024; “The Management Committee of the Hirsel Golf Club would like to thank everyone for the kind words and messages we have received over the last three days following our AGM on Wednesday 11 September when a vote was passed to enter bankruptcy proceedings. Very sadly we can no longer survive as the expenditure to run our course and clubhouse exceeds the income we are generating.

The Hirsel Golf Club was founded in 1948 and we would like to start by thanking all our members for the support over the many years. There will be so many memories for everyone to take away and share following their time as a very valued member of our club.

To all our staff, thank you for looking after the course and clubhouse often working very long hours to ensure members and golfing visitors had a wonderful experience on and off the course. So many volunteers help and do so much behind the scenes often unnoticed and their help is very much appreciated.

Our Open competitions were always so well supported by both members and golfers who travelled from the Scottish Borders, Northumberland, the Lothians, the West and further afield. Thank you and I hope you will all have happy memories of your time playing our course and enjoying our fabulous facilities.

To all our visiting and society parties, thank you for choosing our course. So many of you came year after year and we certainly appreciated that. We hope you too have happy memories of time spent at the Hirsel.

Our Sponsors, your support has allowed us to run competitions and events for both members and visiting party golfers to enjoy. Thank you very much.

To all our contractors and suppliers, thank you for working with us. Many of you have been suppliers for decades and we appreciate the great working relationships we have had over the years.

Finally, thank you to Douglas and Angus Estates for their support over the years, particularly during some financially challenging times.

Thank you all, we are going to miss the friendship, comradeship and wonderful golfing fun we have all had over the many decades.”

Nine and eighteen hole course scorecards.