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The
following article appeared in the Berwickshire News on 10th
November 1891.
We
are indebted to the courtesy of the editor of The Edinburgh Evening
News for the above sketch of Ayton Golf Course.
The
course has been laid out along the haughs enclosed between the Eye
Water and what is known as the "back road" to Reston. As the ground
slopes on either side down to the river in the centre and, as the
water is an ever present hazard, it may be assumed that the course
is an exceedingly sporting one.
Nine
holes have been laid out. Starting from the first tee close beside
the road, a stretch of gorse and the river are hazard enough to the
first hole, over 250 yards in front. Immediately behind the hole is
an expansive tract of bog known as "Collar Well". The second hole is
uphill 150 yards and the third, 200 yards along the brow of the
slope where a ball not absolutely in line will roll a considerable
distance. Facing the fourth hole, the player has to once more cross
the river and the putting green, a very good one, is in front of
Hairy Craig Quarry, the distance being 200 yards. The fifth hole is
back across the river 100 yards, the sixth uphill to the very corner
of East Reston Haugh and the seventh back again to the water's edge.
Then comes the most peculiar and most sporting hole of the course,
in which the river is crossed three times, as a very steep bank
between the quarry and the mill lade prevents a straight course.
From the teeing ground a good drive takes the ball to the green
below the quarry, then, turning towards the river and, if a good lie
has been secured, the ball is pretty well uphill, in order that the
player turns toward the distant hole, the dangerous proximity of the
large damhead pool on the left may be avoided. The length of the
hole is 500 yards and the green is between the river and the mill
lade. The home hole is easily negotiated, the distance being 300
yards. The length of the whole course is nearly a mile. Footbridges
will be erected at several places. The course has been laid out by
Bob Ferguson of Musselburgh.
Once
the green has been brought into form by play, golfers may patronise
with the assurance of getting a game to put them on their mettle.
The club already has over 40 members, with a ladies' section.
The
Office Bearers and Patrons.
Partons:
A H Mitchell Innes Esq of Ayton and Whithall; Sir Walter Grindlay
Simpson, Baronet, of Balabraes; Colonel David Milne Home of
Wedderburn; John Allan Esq of Peelwalls; Charles K Galbraith Esq,
Ayton Castle; Major Grant, Stoneshiel House; Alexander Gibson Esq of
Netherbyres.
President: Mr K C White, Ayton Law; Vice President: Mr John Allan,
East Reston; Captain: Sir Walter G Simpson, Baronet, of Balabraes;
Vice Captain: The Rev J J Marshall I Aitken. Committee: Mr A
Thomson, Dr Jeffrey, Messrs Geddes, Stothart, Morison, T P Doughty
and Office Bearers. Secretary: G Wood, Postmaster, Ayton.
.............................................................................................................
The following article about the
opening of the "Ayton Club Golf-House" appeared in the
Berwickshire News a few years later on
24th April 1894.
AYTON
CLUB HEADQUARTERS
On Thursday last, an important event in connection
with this club took place, when the Club House, which has been in
the course of erection for some time past, was formally opened. It
was on October last that the Club decided to build such a house, and
in the following month a successful concert made a substantial
beginning for the Club House Fund. After careful consideration, by a
special committee appointed to carry out the work of building the
house etc, on a site chosen on the bank of the mill lade, on the
opposite side of the haugh and parallel with the “home” hole.
Considerable expense was incurred in getting the bank excavated and
built round by a substantial retaining wall, but the admirable
situation amply repays the extra expenditure. The neat bridge spans
the mill lade and along the front of the house runs a gangway where
members can gather and watch the play. As now finished the house
presents a very pretty appearance, and reflects great credit on the
builder, Mr John Heron, joiner, Ayton, who has certainly spared no
pains in the workmanship. The house is still to be furnished with
lockers and other conveniences, and by the time it is fully equipped
will cost upwards of £40. Great thanks are due to those gentlemen
both in the club, and outside of it, who have so generously
subscribed to the fund and contributed so largely to the success of
the undertaking. The ceremony of opening the House was performed by
Sir W. G. Simpson, Bart., of Balabraes, the captain of the Club,
who, in the course of his remarks, advised the clubs not the call it
“The Club-House”, but “The Ayton Club Golf-House”. Three cheers were
given as the Captain turned the key and declared the Golf-House
open.
(Note £40 in 1894 was worth £3,3390 in 2008 based on
the retail price index and £19,300 based on average earnings.)
AYTON CLUB AND THE
“WOOD” MEDAL
Immediately after the above ceremony another
important item in the Club’s programme began with the competition
for the “Wood” medal. This Medal was presented to the Club by Mr
Alex. Wood, formerly of Ayton, now in Dunbar, and is competed for
annually, the winner on each occasion receiving a small charm. The
competition is a handicap one and therefore is largely taken part in
by members of the Club. This medal has already been won by Mr W.
Wilson in 1892 and Mr Joseph Stoddart in 1893, but neither of the
gentlemen succeeded in carrying it off on this occasion. The winner
this year was Mr Alex. Martin of Burnmouth, who won it with a nett
score of 103. Some ten couples started and the weather was very
favourable. The scores were not quite so good as was expected, but
probably the excitement connected with the competition would account
for a few points. Quite a new departure was made by getting several
lady members of the Club to act as special markers, and the result
was so satisfactory that it is hoped that this will not be their
last appearance in that capacity. The following were the best cards
returned:-
Alex. Martin……………………………. 129 less 26 - 103
D. R. Cameron……………………….. 107 less 2 - 105
Andrew Mcvie………………………….
105 plus 2 -
107
A. Nisbet…………………………………. 123 less 16 - 107
J. K Livingstone………………………. 107 plus 2 – 109
Thos. Morrison………………………… 131 less 22 – 109
Ralph T. Smith……………………….. 129 less 18 – 111
Jas Walker………………………………. 136 less 22 – 114
G. A. Wilson…………………………….. 113 plus 2 – 115
Rev. J. J. M. L. Aitken............. 127 less 8
– 119
W. J. Wison……………………………… 117 plus 2 – 119
Jas. B. Sinclair…………………………. 132 less 10 – 122
David Hume…………………………….. 135 less 12 – 123
Joseph Stothart……………………… 135 less 10 – 125
George Wood…………………………… 138 less 12 – 126
John Spratt………………………………. 141 less 12 – 129
AYTON CLUB “HERON” COMPETITION
The final of “Heron” Competition for the club was
presented by Mr John Heron, was decided when Mr J.K. Livingstone
beat Mr W. J. Wilson by 4 holes. Mr Livingstone therefore carries
off the first prize of a clock and a lofter, and Mr Wilson follows
with putter.
AYTON CLUB “CHARM” COMPETITION
On
Saturday last, the fourth of the “Charm” Competitions was played.
The scores returned were very good, considering the high wind which
prevailed; and the closeness of the figures shows that the Green
Committee are very successful in their handicapping.
Scores:-
Joseph Stothart……………………… 114 less 10 – 104
George A. Wilson…………………….106 plus 2 – 108
Ralph T. Smith..................... 129 less 20 – 109
W. J. Wilson…………………………… 107 plus 4 – 111
Andrew Fairbairn…………………… 122 less 10 – 112
Andrew Macvie………………………. 111 plus 2 - 113
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The
Trophies
A number of the
original trophies and prizes are still held in the bank vaults at
Ayton – these include the Balabraes Cup, the Ladies Bowl and the
Handicap Challenge Medal.
The Cup was
presented by the Club Captain in 1893, Sir WG Simpson and sits in a
magnificent wooden box with the club’s initials embossed in a brass
logo on the lid. The Cup itself is ornately engraved with the
centrepiece being a relief of Balabraes House itself. The handles
have two witty puns, being a play on words about the skills no doubt
required to play the game well and either the proximity of the River
Eye or the potential use of the Cup! One handle states … Eye Handy….
Whilst the other exhorts …. Hand an Eye
Around the rim
of the Cup is the reference to the gift itself as well as the advice
…. Many a slip twixt cup and lip… again no doubt a mixed metaphor!
The base for the
Cup is a square plinth with a shield on each side recording : Ayton
Course Record Scores, Handicap winners, Balabraes Challenge Shield &
Badge Winners and Ladies Handicap.
The Ayton Ladies
GC Berrybank Rose Bowl was presented by Joseph Mack in 1921.
The winners are
listed on the reverse of the Bowl.
The other
surviving item is the Ayton Golf Club Handicap Challenge Medal.
The Medal is
still in its original box and was presented to the Club in 1892 by
Alexander Wood of Dunbar – the year he won it! Other winners are
also listed but due to the size of the piece there are very few
names recorded.
Disappointingly,
the silver ink stand which was presented to the club by Mr John
Allan of East Reston is not amongst the items held by the bank. Does
someone have it sitting on their desk still today?
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