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Did you know that Ayton used to have a very well supported golf
club until the 1930s? It was in the haugh on the north side of the
Jubilee Bridge, from the bridge right up to the East Reston farm
boundary. It was a nine hole course, described as being in a 'very
picturesque' setting.
There was a small clubhouse at the Jubilee bridge end (see
below. .At that time, the haugh had lovely deciduous trees growing in
it up the sides of the Eye water. Those who can remember it recall
the tree branches hanging over the river. The course criss-crossed
the river with players able to cross on several footbridges. The
mill lade from the cauld further up the river to Bleachfield mill
which still operated then. The remains of the lade can still be seen
on the east side of the haugh.
During the great flood of 1948 fallen trees caused many problems
on the Eye Water where they created dams at the bridges. To lessen
the chance of this happening in future floods the lovely trees all
along the river were felled. The Ayton Golf Club trophies are still
held in the vault in the Royal Bank of Scotland. Perhaps the golf
club will be resurrected in the future and the trophies can be used
again.
This is the only known picture of the clubhouse at Ayton Golf
Club. The small bridge may have been to cross the mill lade which
ran down the side of the course. If anyone has any idea when this
sketch may have been drawn we would be interested to know.
September 2010. New Notes on
Ayton Golf Club - Click here
to see them.
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