History of Vale of Leven Golf Club

The Club was formed in 1907 and played over a 9 hole course on leased ground.   The clubhouse was an old railway carriage which was transported from the local station by horse and cart and was situated at the foot of the Umbrella Woods where the greenkeepers' shed now stands.  

A few years later the club purchased a disused clubhouse from Helensburgh Golf Club and this was also transported by horse and cart and situated where the Lomond Lounge and locker room now stand.  This clubhouse lasted many years until the cost of repairs became excessive and it was decided to build a new clubhouse in two phases.  Phase One was built and furnished for the sum of £10,000 and opened in January 1970.

Phase Two, consisting of demolition of the old clubhouse, building the function room, locker room etc was opened in 1976 and cost £28,000 fully furnished.

The Club is very proud of the fact that members built both phases by voluntary labour and a great sense of achievement was felt by all involved.

By the 1920's the course was increased to 18 holes and remained so until the Second World War when the 6th, 7th, and 8th holes were ploughed to help the war effort.  When the war ended the course reverted to 18 holes.

In 1950 the course was put up for sale by Crum Ewing Estates and the club was successful in its purchase which proved to be a good investment.

Many changes have taken place over the years with several new greens, tees, bunkers, watering system etc all being completed.  The improvement to the course is on-going.

Golfing Achievements

The late Eric Brown set the professional course record of 63, unbeaten to this day.  Gordon Brown won the Championship on 11 occasions in every decade from the sixties to the nineties.

The present course record is held by Craig Darroch who had a score of 62 on 13th August 2004 whilst playing off 4 handicap.

During a medal round, a father and son, Joe and Gordon McCaffrey both holed in one at the twelfth hole with only hours between their rounds.

In May 1997 Ian Hay had two holes in one at consecutive par threes at the Ashludie Course in Monifeith.

Our only international golfer is Anne Laing who has won the Scottish Ladies Championship on three occasions 1996, 2003, and 2004; The St. Rule 1996, British Mid Amateur 2002, and was a member of the Curtis Cup Team in 2004.