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HISTORY Long before a golf club was formed at Dornoch, the game was played on the town lands along the seashore. Golf in Dornoch can be traced back to 1616, and some claim even earlier, but what we are sure of is that everyone who came to play marvelled at the wonderful links land and the challenge it presented. The club itself did not form until 1877. The two gentlemen responsible for the foundation being Alexander McHardy, ‘the pioneer of golf in the North of Scotland’, and Dr Hugh Gunn, a native of the town, who was educated at St Andrews and there learned the game – the course then was only 9 holes long. In 1886, the Club invited the veteran champion golfer, Old Tom Morris, to visit Dornoch, make a survey of the links and lay out a more fully planned golf course. The basic purpose of these “founding fathers” of Dornoch golf was to have a golf course of first class quality in keeping with the abundant natural resources already provided on the famed Dornoch Links. About the turn of the century, the great Sandy Herd first played with the new rubbercored ball and out of fashion went the old gutty. John Sutherland, the Club’s Secretary who guided the fortunes of the Club for over 50 years, and his committee, had to remodel the course as a result of the faster ball and Dornoch became for a time the 5th longest course in Britain. In 1906, through the influence of Her Grace the Duchess of Sutherland, Duchess Millicent, a good friend to the Club, Dornoch Golf Club secured the title and dignity of ‘Royal’ from King Edward VII. Women golfers, also of a high level, regularly gathered in Dornoch in the bright days before 1914. The Second World War saw an aerodrome in being on the Ladies 18 hole course on the lower links and 4 holes of the Championship Course were also lost. In the late 1940’s the decision was taken to construct further holes out towards Embo and once again the House of Sutherland helped by leasing the land (later purchased) to the Club. This was largely the work of George Duncan, for John Sutherland had died in 1941. A restricted 9 hole relief course was formed known as the Struie, which has now been developed to a full 18 holes. The spectacular views of Struie Hill and the Ross-Shire Hills to the West, the close proximity to the shores of the Dornoch Firth and the call of the many species of wildfowl along the estuary enriches the experience of golfing in such a magnificent setting. 6
The Struie Course holes are typified by greens smaller in size than the Championship Course and the fairways generally narrower than those of the Championship Course but this is a fair test of golf where accurate drives struck to the correct side of the fairway will result in easier approach shots to the green and wayward drives are generally not punished as they can be on the Championship Course. The prevailing wind in the Dornoch area usually blows from the West which compounds the challenges encountered on the short holes over the Struie Course with the four short holes all laid out in different directions. To this day we always try to maintain, improve and make certain our links stand the test of time. Over 400 years have passed and the Club is still thriving which allows us to be true to our ethos – to provide and maintain a golf course or courses in Dornoch; and to promote and foster the game of golf for generations to come. If you would like to read more on our history then in 1999 the first history book was published. Written by past Captain, Dr John MacLeod, it charts the Club from its formation in 1877 through all the ups and downs to the present day when many people from around the world come to share and enjoy the unique experience of golf in Dornoch. The book is available from the pro shop and is highly recommended to all new members so that they can gain a deeper understanding of the Club and its roots. We are always working on our history and the many pieces that we have gathered over the many years. Our archive team is always sifting through valuable documents and items from our history and they would be happy to share their findings with you. Don’t worry if you are not always in Dornoch, you won’t miss out on anything at the club as our General Manager sends a newsletter weekly to all members, keeping everyone informed of everything that has happened. View more club history on the club website www.royaldornoch.com 7
Page 2 and 3: WELCOME
Page 4 and 5: CONTENTS
Page 8 and 9: MEMBERSHIP Royal Dornoch welcomes a
Page 10 and 11: CLUB GOVERNANCE Good governance is
Page 12 and 13: GOLF As a Struie Member you have:
Page 14 and 15: Handicap Index If you do not have a
Page 16 and 17: Ladies Section We have a very activ
Page 18 and 19: MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS As a member of
Page 20 and 21: FACILITIES Championship Course Rate
Page 22 and 23: We would however ask that you make
Page 24 and 25: Teaching & Lessons Our Head Teachin
Page 26 and 27: Fire Assembly Point In the event th
Page 28 and 29: Future Projects (not in any order o
Page 30 and 31: and Chair of the Marine Alliance fo
Page 32 and 33: ORGANISATION CHARTS Sub Com Council
Page 34 and 35: STAFF ORGANISATION CHART 2022 Coun
Page 36 and 37: CONTACT DETAILS & PRICES Telephone
Page 38: Royal Dornoch Golf Club Golf Road,

Dornoch38pp

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