The Beginning
The formation of the club was first discussed
over a cup of
tea In Foster's fashionable tea shop in the centre of the city. The year was
1911and the meeting learnt that suitable land was available at Prehen 4 miles
south of the city. It was agreed 66 acres would be leased.
Willie Park Junior, son of the great Willie Parks of Musselburgh who won the first ever open championship in 1860, laid out the original 9 hole course. Young Willie himself won the open in 1887 and 1889 being piped by Varden in 1896 by just one single shot. The layout of the course was, according to Park ''a capable test of the skill of any player''. This was supported by Harry Colt the designer of Royal Portrush who said of our original second hole. ''I consider it one of the best drive and pitch holes I have ever seen.''
Over the years the course has been extended on a number of occasions to the present 27 hole complex. this comprises of an 18 hole championship course, A challenging 9 hole hillside course, a practise area and putting green.
The 18 hole course spans almost 6,000metres, variety being its main feature, with lush green fairways meandering through mature woods providing a protective habitat for many wild creatures. With impressive views of the wide sweep of the River Foyle with a back drop of distant hills this great course enjoys one of the most picturesque settings anywhere in the world.
Est. 1912
V
