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Moniaive Golf Club, Crichen Course. (1905 - WW2)

Founded 1905.

A nine-hole inland hilly course of 2,329yds and a Par of 36. The clubhouse was half mile from town; it was not licensed and there was no catering. Membership was 50 in the early years, increasing to 80 by closure. The entry fee just before WW1 was £1 and subs £1. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 3/- a week and 5/- a month. There was no Sunday play and the station was ¼ mile away.

From the Dumfries and Galloway Standard 5 April 1905 - "We understand steps are being taken to provide a golf course for Moniaive. The site which meets the most favour is on the lands of Crichen, and it could be approached by the footbridge over the Craigdarroch Water at Ewanstone."

The Golf Course footbridge at Moniaive.

From St Andrews Citizen Saturday 15 April 1905 - "The course may be considered a product of the recently opened Cairn Valley Railway. The Moniaive folk are having a course laid out by the side of Craigdarroch Water." The line closed for passengers in 1943.

Extract from a report in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard Wednesday 19 April 1905 - "A meeting of those interested in the formation of a golf club in Glencairn was held in the public hall, Moniaive, on Friday evening last. On the motion of Mr Gourlay, Broomfield, Mr Barber of Tererran was called to the chair. The chairman stated that a movement had been afloat for some time to form a golf club in the district. He concluded by suggesting that this meeting, if it were considered advisable, pass a resolution to form a golf club, and appoint a committee to go fully into the matter, and afterwards report to a subsequent committee to go fully into the matter. A resolution to the above effect was unanimously passed. It is understood that the committee have asked Ben Sayers, the North Berwick professional, to come down and advise them on the laying out of the course. The ground looked at which will be probably selected is on the lands of Crichen, comprising of the lower fields, next to Craigdarroch Water and west of the farmhouse. It will be approached by a wooden bridge over Craigdarroch Water, opposite Ewanston."   

The course opened in July 1905. The president of the club, Lieut. Col. Cecil Laurie of Maxwelton, driving off the first ball. David Corson, solicitor, was secretary of the club.

In May 1909 Moniaive Ladies' team played a match against Dumfries Ladies at Moniaive. The visitors won by seven matches a  to one.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard Wednesday 2 June 1909. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard Wednesday 6 October 1909. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1915 the Queen's Work For Women Fund - The Moniaive Golf Club paid an entrance fee of £2 to Lady Johnson Ferguson  for the "Lady George Nevill's Original Queens Work for Women Golf Medals."

Above image courtesy of Frank Accleton.

Craigdarroch  Estate up for sale in 1923, including the golf course.

Dundee Courier Tuesday 6 March 1923. Image © D.C.Thomson & Co. Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1933; Membership 80; Secretary, R Orr, Union Bank of Scotland, Moniaive; Green-keeper, G Glencross; Nine-holes; Course record, 37; Station, half mile; Visitors; 1s a day, 4s a week, 10s a month; No Sunday play.

Golfer's Handbook 1937 - 1940; Membership 80; Secretary, R Orr, Union Bank of Scotland, Moniaive; Green-keeper, W McVittie; Nine-holes; Course record, 35; Station, half mile; Visitors; 1s a day, 4s a week, 10s a month; No Sunday play.

The annual meeting was held in the Memorial Institute on Thursday 23 March 1939.

An advert in the Dumfries and Galloway Standard in May 1940 stated that "A meeting of members will be held in the clubhouse on Tuesday 14 May at 8pm. Business Important." 

Play was suspended at the time of WW2. The club did not appear after the war.

Ordnance Survey Map showing Crichen.

O.S. Map Revised 1898; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}.