A History of Braemar Golf Club by Eve Soulsby

Braemar Golf Club was founded in 1902. Within two years a 9-hole course had been laid out and greenkeeper John MacDonald was cutting the fairways with a horse-drawn mower. Funds were raised by means of a Grand Bazaar organised by the four ministers of the Village, a quite remarkable example of ecumenical collaboration which still characterises Braemar today.

2011 marks the Centenary of the course enlargement to 18 holes with the building of a bridge across the River Clunie. This work was directed by the then Club Captain, Lord Pirrie, who was also a captain of industry, being Chairman of Harland and Wolff and a director of the White Star Line. Fortunately Braemar Golf Club has survived longer than the Titanic, Pirrie's other major creation in 1911 !

The transformation of the course to its present layout was supervised in the late 1920s by the Club Professional Joe Anderson, whose daughter Jessie (later Valentine) learned to play golf from the age of 5 during her summers at Braemar. In 1937, Jessie was ranked number 1 lady golfer in the world. Through out this period, the Club enjoyed the support of royal patrons .. first the Duke of Fife, followed by his wife and then by his daughter.

In the aftermath of World War 2, the Golf Club lurched from year to year, surviving only through the grit and determination of a few local folk until the 1960s. At that time not only did the Clubhouse acquire electricity and a telephone but in 1966 it became a licensed premises. This revitalised the Club and by 1983, an extension was built and opened by two of the "Scotland The What?" trio, Steve Robertson and Buff Hardie.

With the Millennium came a new Clubhouse which provided much improved facilities in which to celebrate the Centenary of Braemar Golf Club in 2002. It was also a fitting venue in which to welcome the Club's new Royal Patron, HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York.

A more detailed history of Braemar Golf Club's first hundred years is still available from the Club. The 100-page book in full colour, with a foreword by The Duke of York, costs only £10 post-free. Your cheque or postal order should be made payable to Braemar Golf Club or send your credit card details.