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A BRIEF HISTORY OF LAMLASH GOLF CLUB.

In the years leading up to 1889 the paddle steamers were bringing an ever increasing number of holidaymakers to the Island of Arran, as there was no transport apart from boats and horses folks seldom ventured far from their chosen village. Many of the gents brought with them wooden shafted implements and feathery balls to practice their Gowff on the village green and fields, which had been harvested.

A group of Lamlash businessmen got together to found a proper gowff course including Mr Allan who farmed at Clauchlands and leased Blairmore from the Arran Estate. J.B.Sweet Banker, McKelvie manager of McNeish Grocers and propagator of Arran Potatoes. Bannatyne of the Lamlash Hotel [PHT} to name a few.

The Lamlash gents contacted the Arran Estate trustees who agreed for part of the arable lands leased by Mr Allan to found a nine-hole golf course at Blairmore Lamlash.
During the summer season of 1889 Captain Buchanan’s {who built Kinniel} paddle steamer Scotia was hired to organise a day cruise from which funds of £40.00 were gained to assist with funding the golf course.
In 1890 Willie Fernie Professional green keeper at Troon was invited to plan a nine-hole layout the following year he established a course record of 31 over the bogey 33 course. The first green a bogey four was in the area of the present practice putting green. Chairman was the Rev. T.Robertson, Treasurer J.B.Sweet and Secretary A.Davidson Schoolmaster.
The new layout was published in the evening times of 31.3.1892

In 1896 Willie Auchterlonie was invited to Lamlash to plan an 18-hole layout he made use of the ground surrounding the farmhouse, the present triangle and land beyond the cemetery access road. The new layout was published in a paper on February 12th 1897.
James Auld Jamieson estate commissioner and Lord Shand officially opened the new course on the 12th June.
A professional tournament was held on the 14th August the 8 professionals competing were Willie Fernie Troon, Willie Auchterlonie St Andrews, Ben Sayers North Berwick, Andrew Kirkaldy St Andrews, Alexander Herd St Andrews, [cousin of Sandy Herd] Kinnell of Prestwick, Scott of Ellie and Douglas of Polloe.
Kinnell set a new course record of 64 giving a score of 136 for 36 holes and winning the purse of £8.00.

With the new course starting by the Brodick road to a bogey 3 a clubhouse was sited using a wheelhouse from a schooner.
In 1903 a new clubhouse was constructed and officially opened in August 1904
1908 the course was extended beyond the existing 2nd as far as the sheep fanks and the holes surrounding the farmhouse were dropped.
During this period until after the First World War ended H.M.S. Battleships and light cruisers of the Atlantic fleet used Lamlash Bay as a base.

1930 Short bogey 3 1st hole ceased to create a bogey 5 1st hole and introduction of new hole existing 5th to link the far end of the course.

1959 –1963 Land forming the golf course purchased from Arran estate trustees.

1968 Formation of the existing white tees to create a par 64.