Course of a Century 1896-1996
Final Round
On more than one occasion during the Century the history of the course had been dictated by events on the world's stage, but at last a time did come when better fortune smiled on the Club. It was to begin with the invitation of Mitchie Cumming to extend the course to 18 holes. The economic recession was then to cause difficulties for the Estate and in 1992 the news broke that the Glenrinnes Estate was to be sold.
As the lease of the course had many years to run, the purchase by any buyer other than the Club would have had little attraction. Accordingly the Club was to find itself in a favourable position and the committee's immediate reaction was that a determined effort should be made to buy the course, provided it would be within an affordable range. From the experience of raising money for the course extension it was felt that an amount possibly as high as £50,000 might be affordable as this was likely to be a once in a lifetime opportunity to secure the ownership of the course for ever.
Advice was taken from the Club's solicitor, Bill Johnston, of Stephen & Robb, Keith, and together with David Duncombe, treasurer, an offer was prepared the amount of which was not revealed to any other member of the Club. They had been guided by an earlier independent valuation undertaken by Kean Kennedy, Elgin, and their judgement as to the offer submitted was recognised when in November 1992 it was learned that the Club's offer of £33,333 had been accepted. Very soon the Club received generous support in raising the payment due at the end of November. An interest free loan of £8000 repayable over 10 years was received from the Royal & Ancient together with an outright grant of £2000. Donations from the local distilling industry were received, £2000 from Wm Grant, Glenfiddich Distillery; £1000 each from Arthur Bell & Sons Ltd, Chivas Bros Ltd and Macallan-Glenlivet plc. Club members and friends were asked to help and responded by providing £12,000 in interest free loans. Extended 5 and 10 year memberships were offered to members and over the next year this raised money up front amounting to £10,000. It is to the members' credit that even 3 years later very little of the amount of the members' loans has been asked to be repaid and this later enabled the Club to embark on substantial upgrading of the course.
The extended 18 hole course meantime had begun to lack the attention and new equipment that it might otherwise have had, and for several years Maurice Myron ably assisted by Ian Poole and Jim Scott struggled to maintain the course on the proverbial shoestring. With finances improving shortly after the purchase of the course, the decision was taken to upgrade the course by employing a professional greenkeeper. Bob Donaldson joined the Club and set out a programme of work for the course. A year later he was followed by Gilbert Stephen and their work on the greens soon saw marked improvement. Maurice continued to work along with the new greenkeepers and in 1995 his many years of selfless, cheerful work was recognised when he was appointed an honorary member of the Club.
The attractiveness of the new 18 holes and a general upsurge of interest in golf has seen a rise in membership, particularly from country and overseas members. It is not unusual for some members in Holland to fly over via Aberdeen and spend a weekend on Speyside, enjoying the quiet hills, freedom and solitude of the course. But first and foremost the course remains an amenity for the local community, and each succeeding generation of local golfers has continued to build on the legacy created a century ago.
One last project remains to be undertaken, however, the old clubhouse is now badly needing replacement and plans will shortly be put to the members for a new building. When opening the 'new' Clubhouse in 1930, Miss Cowie congratulated the Club and referred to the commencement of a new era in the Club's history. No better way could be found to open the first chapter in the Club's next century than with a new Clubhouse.
The final link in the chain of our history will be the presentation of 2 silver medals.
At the opening of the course in 1896 the founding captain, Rev J B Cumming presented 2 silver medals to the winners of the opening competition, but sadly these medals have not survived. On the commemorative day of our centenary celebrations Mrs Mary Cairncross DL, grand-daughter of the Rev J B Cumming will present 2 silver medals bearing the bust of her grandfather. These will remain in the possession of the Club to be a continuing reminder of the vision of our founding Captain a century ago.
There cannot be a more fitting conclusion to our Course of a Century, and we look forward with great optimism to beginning another successful century of golf at Dufftown.
