click the above image to view a slideshow of some of our old photos

click the above image to view a slideshow of some of our old photos from the clubhouse

History of Killin Golf Club

Extracted from the minutes by Dr Mairi MacColl and published in the Killin News September 1995.

On the 5th of August 1913 a meeting was held in Killin to discuss the possibility of establishing a Golf Course. This was proposed by Mr Steen, the then tenant of Finlarig Farm, who had backing from the Marquis of Breadalbane to use part of the farm for this purpose. At that public meeting Killin Golf Club was formed with an initial membership of 37. Mr Steen was to undertake the laying out and maintenance of the course in return for which he would receive 98% of the takings! Mr John Duncan the professional at Stirling Golf Club advised on the layout and so the course with some later improvements was born.
The “house-letters” backed the scheme enthusiastically and agree to pay an annual levy to the club so that their guests could use the course. Perhaps unusually for those days the first lady members were welcomed at the third meeting of the club on 27th August 1913.
The course was eventually ready for play by 4th June 1914, and on that day an exhibition match was played by John Duncan from Stirling and James Burns the professional at Falkirk after the official opening by Mrs Steen, Finlarig. By this time there were 70 members of whom 12 were ladies. 1914 was an unfortunate time to open a new golf course and the original three secretaries as well as many members had to depart on War service. By 1917 it was impossible to keep the course open because of the shortage of labour to keep it in order and Mrs Steen and the Committee then fell out badly over the failure to maintain it.
In 1917 it was decided to close down for the duration of the War and grow hay! However, Mr Steen then went back on this and proposed to plough it up. The members appealed to Lord Breadalbane for permission to take over running and maintenance of the course and fortunately he agreed to this.
However, even as late as 1920 the Club was still trying to get hold of the horse mower and tools used for maintenance from Mr Steen. Another public meeting was called and the backing of the “house-letters” and hoteliers obtained for an attempt at reconstruction of the course. Following this meeting the equipment was bought from Mr Steen for £55 and also some more grass cutting equipment and in February 1920 John King was appointed green-keeper. In 1920 a bazaar was held which raised £785 – a huge sum for these days. With this the members decided to build a Clubhouse and this was duly opened in 1922.
By 1928 things had improved financially and in 1928 when Mr Steen’s lease of Finlarig expired the Club obtained a 20 year lease from Breadalbane Estate at an annual rental of £35. By 1931 the Club had made a profit of £4. The question of Sunday golf was first discussed in 1932 and came up at intervals until 1947 when it was finally allowed.
Despite the problems of the Second World War the course did stay open but financial problems developed and for many years the Club was dependent more on fund raising efforts than on membership fees. In 1950 it was decided that the members should try to buy the course if at all possible. As usual, finance was the problem. It was decided to offer £760, but the selling agents wanted £1,500. A special general meeting was held which turned out probably the most dramatic in the Club’s history.
One of the members then was the late Captain Stroyan of Boreland. After discussion of the situation he asked for a short adjournment of the meeting to let him make a phone call. He returned a short time later to inform the members that the Golf Course was not the property of Killin Golf Club. If they would pay the £760, he would make up the difference.
In 1950 there was a presentation to John King who had given 30 years devoted service to the Club as green keeper. In August 1951 the first Open Mixed Foursome Competition was held on an appallingly wet day! However, despite the rather inauspicious start the competition has continued without a break until the present day although now held in May.
Following John King’s resignation in 1951 a succession of green keepers came and went. Douglas Ireland came in 1955 and remained as part-time Professional as well as green keeper until 1960. Bill Mitchell held the same appointment from 1963-1965. In 1963 the Club celebrated its fiftieth anniversary with an exhibition match given by 4 professionals – 2 men and 2 women – John Panton, James Wilson, Jessie Valentine and Dorothea Somerville.
By 1969 it was obvious that the clubhouse built in 1922 was no longer adequate as living accommodation and a mobile home was purchased for the green keeper. In 1974 it was decided that as the Club now had a licence and catering was being expanded a Steward and Green keeper should be employed. Sandy MacLeod was appointed then and by 1995 had given 20 years of sterling service to the Club – firstly alone, and then assisted by an assistant green keeper and an apprentice.
Expansion has continued – a new tractor shed in 1980, water on the greens in 1979, and in 1992 the completion of the ambitious extension to the Clubhouse.
Despite all its financial problems over the years the Golf Club continues to flourish and still provides great enjoyment for members and for the hundreds of visitors who delight in the challenge, beauty and friendliness of this little course.
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Killin Golf Club was founded in 1911 by a group of dedicated farmers, tradesmen, merchants and professional people, to provide a golf course for the community and for summer visitors. They could not have chosen a more glorious setting for the course, resting as it does at the start of beautiful Glen Lochay with its river sweeping past the first fairway to end shortly in Loch Tay. Playing golf in the midst of such breathtaking scenery is a unique experience.The main structure of the present Clubhouse dates from 1922 and was build from money raised locally, one fund raising event of note being a concert given in Killin by singers from the famous Covent Garden Opera Company in London.Although now somewhat longer than the original course, as designed by the Stirling Golf Professional Mr. John Duncan, the original features still remain – four par 3′s, four par 4′s and a par 5 hole often described as the most scenic closing hole in Scotland.Killin offers the best excuse for not keeping the head down while playing golf.