A Short History...

In 1905 and 1906 two new courses were laid out in the southern suburbs of Glasgow - one at Whitecraigs and the other at Cowglen. It was felt, however, that there was room for yet another and  on 28th December  1906 “The Williamwood Golf Club” was founded by 16 City business men.  Land was leased from Drumby Farm, part of the Estate of Williamwood, where a nine hole course of 2527 yards was constructed.  The course was designed and the work supervised by the Head Greenkeeper, Hugh Morris. The course and a small clubhouse were officially opened on 4th May 1907.

By this time, the club had become the tenants of the whole of Drumby Farm and arrangements were put in hand for the formation of an eighteen hole course east of the nine hole course.  This, too, was designed by Hugh Morris and the work supervised by him.  It extended to 5958 yards with eight holes on the south side of Eastwoodmains Road - a main thoroughfare - and ten on the north side.  It was decided that this course should be reserved for gentlemen members, then numbering 290, while the play of lady and junior members was confined to the original nine hole course.  Part of Golf Road and a substantial Clubhouse were built and these exist to this day.  The official opening of the course and clubhouse took place on Saturday 5th June 1909.

One of the highlights in the history of Williamwood was a visit  on 10th September 1910 of the two most famous golfers in the world at that time, Harry Vardon and James Braid, who gave an exhibition of their skill. Vardon had won  The Open Championship in 1896, 1898, 1899, and 1903.  and had subsequent wins in 1911 and 1914.  Braid was the Open Champion in 1905, 1906, 1908 and 1910 and was the current holder of the title.  In the forenoon Vardon won a match play round 3 and 2 and after lunch, in atrocious conditions, both broke the course record of 79.  Braid scored 75 and Vardon 72 which became the new record.

Over the years the Estate began to feu land occupied by the club for house building and it was becoming obvious that to have permanent security it would be necessary to find and purchase land on which to form a new eighteen hole course.  By this time, James Braid had become one of the foremost golf course designers and it was arranged that he should inspect the ground north of the Busby Railway line and indicate the layout of an eighteen hole course there which the Estate was willing to lease or sell. His first of a number of visits was on 7th May 1924 and he subsequently prepared a specification and plan with the rider that, if both were accepted, the course would compare favourably with any of the better class inland courses.  The course - basically what we have today - was built and completed in July 1926 and the Clubhouse in 1931/32.  House building had by then commenced on the site of the nine hole course and it was closed finally on 3th September 1933. There are now no signs that it and the holes which straddled Eastwoodmains Road ever existed.

The death of Mrs Elizabeth Stewart, Widow of James Stewart of Williamwood,  set off a chain of worrying events concerning the leases of the grounds occupied by the Club as the surviving trustees of the Estate made it known it was their intention to sell the Estate, as early as possible, to the highest bidder.  The Club was now faced with a dilemma of substantial proportions.  Contracts had been signed for work on the two courses, membership was falling and it seemed it would be necessary, if the club was to survive, to go the whole hog and purchase.  This was subsequently done by loans and debentures which were finally paid off in 1981.

The Club has had nine professionals: Course records:

1919 - John Noon Professional 61 - Bernard Gallagher
1921 - James McDowell
1921 - Robert Turner Amateur 61       - Hamish Kemp (Cawder G.C.)
1930 - Malcolm Thomson
1971 - Jack Gardner
1996 - John McTear
1997 - Stewart Marshall

Alex Morrison

 

THE COURSE

Click here to learn more about the course at the Club