Kirkcaldy Golf Club ‘buzzing’ for Canadian group visit

It was clear some of the Quebec University students were keen golfers, so club chairman Bill ONeil ran through a course history beginning with the plan and design by ‘Old Tom Morris’, St Andrews golf architect, who in 1904 was paid the equivalent of £3.40 for his work.

It was revealed that Balwearie hosted several exhibition matches in its early years including one featuring Jersey-born Harry Vardon - six-time winner of the Open Championship - against Scotland’s George Duncan, who captured the coveted Claret Jug in 1920. The entry fee to the match was 3p per head.

The recent visit also saw the club donate prizes and memorabilia including a framed photograph of the Fife Flyers team from around 1950.

This was courtesy of Verne Gregor whose dad, Verne ‘Bones’ Gregor signed with the Flyers in 1948 along with five other new recruits also from Canada. Bones settled in Kirkcaldy and retired from ice hockey in 1964.

Post visit, a statement on behalf of Kirkcaldy GC’s management committee read: “We have never met a group of so polite, well mannered and professional young men.

"Many of them will have their sights set on playing professional ice hockey in the lucrative leagues within the USA and Canada. It was a pleasure to host them and we wish the players and officials every success.”

Joining the Canadians for the day were Fife junior international hockey players Finlay ONeil and Cole Giannandrea, who golf at Balwearie and Auchterarder.

Kirkcaldy Golf Club, like many other private clubs, face maintaining club membership at a level that keeps their operations viable. It offers a variety of membership deals to try and meet the demands of the ever changing golfing world.

Junior membership has blossomed on the back of a midweek coaching programme at the club and at Cluny Clays who have given enormous support. Under Eric Walker’s guidance, the club has a number of promising young players.