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THE MERCHANTS' STORY (1907 to 1982).
Question:- In which year was a world record broken over the Merchants course?
Answer:- 1927, when member Bruce Sutherland completed 14 rounds in 23 and a half hours! Just one of the fascinating facts you find out when you start delving into the story of the club.
A history of the Club was compiled by past Captain Ian Graham to mark the Club's 75th anniversary in 1982. Most of the snippets below are taken from that document. A summary of the history of the club since 1982 will be added later.
The new Millennium heralded an exciting new chapter in the Club's history, with the building of a new clubhouse, opened in April, 2001. The Club's Council have already started making plans for celebration of the Club's centenary in 2007.
A new history is planned for 2007 and members are asked to contact Ian Mitchell if they have any material which they think might be relevant.
1907:- The Club was founded by a group of 'merchants, clergymen, doctors, lawyers, journalists and others'. The course was designed by Ben Sayers of North Berwick on land belonging to the City of Edinburgh.
1908:- The entrance fee was £3 3/- and the clubhouse was completed at a cost of £1,300 (original estimate £900!). J. F. Mitchell, Secretary, won the Irish Amateur Open Championship.
1909:- Ladies were first admitted to membership for an annual fee of £1 1/-. Ben Sayers created a professional record of 71.
1910:- The first billiard table was purchased.
1914-1918:- The Great War, no competitions were played.
1915:- The pumphouse was removed from the 9th fairway. The steam driven pump was used to lift water from the fairway to the hospital and poorhouse.
1918:- Sixty five members now engaged in military service.
1919:- The grazing of sheep was reduced as the club were again using the full course after the war. Peace Celebration Week - the members agreed to entertain 850 members from the nearby City Poorhouse to a dance and tea party.
1920:- It was decreed that any member not wearing the club badge before playing would be fined one penny. Clubhouse extended.
1921:- The first annual club dance was held in the Egyptian Hall, Queen Street, Edinburgh. Telephone installed in clubhouse.
1922:- The Standard Scratch Score was 75. The thirteenth green was damaged by the hoof marks of cattle grazing on the course. First club match arranged with Kingsknowe Golf Club.
1923:- Path to the clubhouse replaced by a street, Craighill Gardens.
1924:- Horse mowers were still used to cut the rough and fairways. An extra horse was hired at 30/- a week for two weeks to improve the condition of the course. Electricity was installed in the clubhouse.
1925:- The grazing rights on the course were leased for £132.10/- with the maximum number of sheep being 200 at any time. It was agreed that members could have caddies in medals, providing they were not paid.
1926:-First tractor purchased.
1927:- It was no longer necessary for lady members to be mothers, wives, sisters or daughters of male members. The first motor mower for the greens was purchased - it was called the "Willing Worker". An entry in the Complaints Book read "The Club Dinner this year was, frankly, lousy and I fully intend to bring it up at the Annual General Meeting".
A member named Bruce Sutherland set a world record in 1927 when he played the course continuously for 23 and a half hours, completing 14 rounds. His scores are not recorded! He was a physical training instructor and regrettably died not long after this event.
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Page Last Changed on 07/04/04.