History

Mary Queen of Scots was known to be playing golf in the area of Longniddry in 1567 - 'over the fields of Seton' - shortly after the murder of Darnley and was admonished accordingly! It was another two hundred years, however, before the 7th Earl of Wemyss & March bought land at Gosford 'to be nearer the golf' and a further one hundred and fifty years before the 11th Earl of Wemyss invited Harry S. Colt to design and build 18 holes. 150 acres were made available and thousands of trees were cleared to create a course measuring some 6,369 yards. Some of the felling occurred in (what was) the Boglehill Wood, thought to be a site of worship for local witches and warlocks and now the site of the 6th and 10th greens.

There have been a number of alterations to Harry Colt's original layout. In 1936 James Braid was invited to advise on the second hole, following which a number of changes were made to the course, although none, it would appear, to the second! During the war part of the course was ploughed up for food production, following which Philip Mackenzie Ross was invited to make good the damage and in 1945. Some of the changes were quite significant, with two holes by the sea being scrapped. More recently Donald Steele was engaged to advise on the course architecture, particularly the bunkering. Many of the original cross-bunkers were removed, or to be more precise, relocated!

The course now occupies a modest 106 acres and measures a modest 6,230 yards, but with four of the most celebrated course architects having left their distinguished mark, it is always a joy to play.

The connection with the Wemyss and March Estate remains. The Club's President is the Right Honourable the (12th) Earl of Wemyss and March, K.T., LL.D., J.P.

A history of the Club from 1921 to 1996 has been published and copies may be obtained by writing to the Secretary