Club History

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If the game of golf was played in the Kingdom of Fife in the late 15th century, it could not have
been many years later before it was introduced to the Highlands. However, the first documentary
evidence of golf being played over Chanonry (now Fortrose) was not until 1702.
A reference in the 1793 Statistical Account of Rosemarkie, confirmed that the game had been
introduced many years earlier and had become an established sporting activity of the area.

Sir Robert Finlay

By the latter half 19th Century, Fortrose and Rosemarkie had emerged as a favourite place of
summer or retirement for men of industry and commerce. In around 1876, the Kennedy family
came to live in Fortrose. It was not long before Mr Kennedy, already a member of 5 golf clubs,
had cut and clipped 2 holes in the links, one close to where the clubhouse now stands and one
by the Witches Stone on the 17th fairway. Before that, others had only knocked a ball
haphazardly over rough terrain, in more of a point to point rather than tee to green nature.
If it was the Kennedy's who promoted the idea of a Golf Club, it was another group of learned
and influential men who brought it about and they met to consider the formation of a Golf Club
on 29 September 1888.

First President - Gen. John Macintyre

The first office bearers were:
President Lt General John Macintyre
Vice-president Sir Robert B Finlay MP (member for Inverness District of Burghs)
The Patron Mr J Douglas Fletcher (one of the largest and wealthiest landlords in the district)
The Captain Mr A G Mackenzie (previously known as the Laird of Avoch)
Secretary and Treasurer Mr John Henderson (Town Clerk of Fortrose and Rosemarkie).

Opening of the first Clubhouse 1895.

By the end of the year the club had a membership of around 50, but while the formation of the
club was relatively simple, acquiring the land was more difficult, and negotiations with landlords
were often long and protracted. However sufficient obstacles were overcome for the grand
opening of the original 6 hole golf course to in June 1889. Competitions were introduced the
following year and the first clubhouse was opened in 1895 and extended in 1900.

Mrs Kennedy plays the opening drive
on the extended course - June 13, 1900.

The First World War led to a reduction in numbers and competitions were suspended and club
activity virtually ceased until 1919 by which time considerable damage had been done to the
clubhouse by men of the Highland Cyclist Battalion which had used the premises as a guardhouse.

Captain Munro of Foulis playing the
opening drive at the extension of the
course to 18 holes in 1924.

Peacetime brought a revival of interest but it was 1922 before the course was returned to a
sufficient standard to allow the resumption of competitions. By 1924 the course had been
extended to 18 holes, but it was not until 1934 that a new clubhouse could be afforded.

The opening of the extension of course
to 18 holes in 1924.

Prizewinners CIRCA 1932

Back Row - R.F. Taylor, G.M. Samuel, K. Anderson.
Front Row - G. Fraser, J. McKeddie, W. Young,
J. Anderson

In September 1940, the course and clubhouse were requisitioned by the military authorities as
a training ground, where sea landing tactics were practised in preparation for the D-Day
landings. Now the only remaining signs of wartime activity are the concrete bollards in the to
the left of the 3rd and 4th fairways. Again there was considerable damage done and
compensation of £4,000 was awarded by the War Department. By the summer of 1946,
9 holes had been restored and by the following year all 18 holes were returned to an acceptable standard.

Club Ladies CIRCA 1932

The Patron's home. Rosehaugh House -
which was demolished in the early 1960s.

By the mid 1950s the membership had outgrown the facilities of the clubhouse and in 1958
Miss Isa Ross, one of the clubs benefactors, offered to lend the money for a new clubhouse
at a nominal rate of interest. Plans were drawn up after which Miss Ross astounded the
members by revealing that she would meet the entire cost herself and the new clubhouse
opened in 1959. By the mid 1970s, however, the new clubhouse was already proving too small
for requirements and an overdraft was taken out to finance a new extension. One condition
of Miss Ross's generosity had been that no alcohol would be sold on the premises.
When a way was found around the legal obstacles an application was made for a liquor licence
and on 14 May 1977 a new extension including a bar was opened. Sunday golf was first allowed
in 1965 and in the first year 324 visitors had played a Sunday round. By 1970 membership of
the club was close to 200 and by 1978 a ceiling of 500 was placed on membership, raised in
1982 to 535, with a restriction of 100 placed on the number of members resident out with the Black Isle.

FOREWORD BY MR ALEX MAIN