Longniddry Golf Club
History of Longniddry Golf Club
Mary Queen of Scots was known to be playing golf in the area of Longniddry in 1567 however it was another two hundred years before the 7th Earl of Wemyss and 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 for Longniddry Golf Club.
150 acres were made available and thousands of trees were cleared to create a course measuring some 6,369 yards in 1921. 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.
Harry Colt was one of the greatest golf course designers. His courses, and those he worked on made him one of the most influential designers ever. He was responsible for Pine Valley NJ USA which is ra nked No1 by Golf Digest.
Harry Colt Plaque at 1st Tee
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!
James Braid
During World War II 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 the course was redesigned. Some of the changes were quite significant, with two holes by the sea being scrapped.
Philip Mackenzie Ross was a renowned Scottish course designer. In 1951 he was responsible for the post war redesign/renovation of the Ailsa course at Turnberry and the design of Southerness.
Philip Mackenzie Ross
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!
Donald Steel
The course now occupies a modest 106 acres and measures 6,271 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 (13th) Earl of Wemyss and March, K.T., LL.D., J.P.
Prestigious Competitions
Over the years Longniddry has hosted many prestigious events including Open Championship qualifying and between 1970 and 1982 a number of British Seniors Championships. Prominent players who have played here include Roberto de Vicenzo, Kel Nagel, Bobby Locke, Fred Daly and Max Faulkner who are all Open champions. Peter Alliss also played in the event.
In 1972 Ken Bousfield won the British Seniors tournament and then played Sam Snead at Longniddry for the World Seniors Championship over 36 holes. Snead won by 3 & 2.
Longniddry has hosted many amateur events including the Ladies Home Internationals. The Longniddry Open, which is currently played for the Durward Trophy, had as its first winner Bernard Gallacher who went on to play in the Ryder Cup and he was a winning Captain of the European Ryder Cup Team in 1995 at Oak Hill CC Rochester NY.
National and International representatives
Three lady members of the golf club have represented GB&I over the years in the Curtis Cup starting with Charlotte Beddows and Doris Park in 1932 and then Hilary Monaghan in 1998.
Similarly we have had three Gentleman members representing GB&I in the Walker Cup over the years starting with WB Torrance in the inaugural event in 1922 followed by Dickson Smith in 1959 and then Raymond Russell in 1993.
Nancy Jupp - local hero
On the 14th September 1934, just over 90 years ago, Nancy Jupp won the Girls Amateur Championship at Stoke Poges (Stoke Park) – also designed by Harry Colt. She was 13 years nine months old and is currently the youngest ever winner of that Championship. In recognition of her achievement she was made an Honorary Lifetime Member of Longniddry Golf Club. She went on to a career in journalism, served in the Auxiliary Air Force in World War 2 servicing Spitfires before establishing her career in golf serving as a tournament director at 15 U.S. Opens and four PGA's. The tree at the top of Links Road in the village was planted in recognition of Nancy's championship win. On Youtube there is a brief video of Nancy hitting an approach shot and being presented with the trophy.
Nancy Jupp
Jack White - Club Pro 1931-32
Jack White was the professional here at Longniddry in 1931-32. Jack had had a very successful golfing career having won the Open Championship in 1904 and was the first man to break 300 for four rounds in the Open. He also had five other top ten Open finishes over a 10 year period.
Jack also made Bobby Jones's driver 'Jeannie Deans' (named after a character in Sir Walter Scott's novel - The Heart of Midlothian) which helped Bobby achieve his grandslam in 1930.
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