Chapter 5 - OUR CLUB HOUSES

By the 1890's, St. Andrews Golf Club was very powerful in the golf world but it still had to meet in various hotels in the town. Our members obviously realised that only the purchase of a Club house would establish the Club firmly and permanently. A variety of Minutes show our Committees taking the matter very seriously. I have recorded the various negotiations at some length because they reflect the tenacity of our members. Without its own Club house, it is almost certain that the St. Andrews Golf Club would have slowly declined and disappeared as did most of the other 19th century clubs in the town.

23rd May 1895

"The necessity of acquiring a Club house was discussed and Messrs. R.B. Stewart, A Milne and Jas. Stewart were appointed a deputation to wait upon Mr. Rusack with view to ascertain if a piece of ground below the Hotel could be got for a site." 20th August 1985

"The Club house question was again discussed and it was decided to make enquiries regarding the "Gate House" in Golf Place."

21st December 1896

"The Secretary read a letter from Mr. Jas. Kirk intimating his refusal to sell part of his property in Pilmuir Links for the Club to erect a Club house."

12th March 1898

"The Captain then intimated to the Committee that he had written a letter to Mr. Cheape, Strathtyrum, stating that the Club wished to acquire a piece of his property on which to build a Club House. Honeyman's Garden* was mentioned as a place that would suit the requirements of the Club and also that he afterwards held a conversation with Mr. Cheape who expressed himself as favourable to the scheme and mentioned that the said piece of ground was very valuable, and also that he would like to see a sketch of a Club House the Club would erect thereon. Through the trouble taken by Mr. Anderson, Architect, about the form of the garden and the drainage levels there and he having informed the Captain about the same (knowing the Club wanted that ground) such information the Captain found was of much service to the Club in his conversation with Mr. Cheape."

"After discussion it was resolved to call a General Meeting of the Club for Tuesday, 22nd inst. to sanction the necessary arrangements for getting a plan drawn to lay before Mr. Cheape and to further the scheme of a Club House in the best possible manner."

"The Captain then on behalf of the Special Club House Committee made a statement showing the result of their negotiations with Mr. Anderson, Architect and afterwards with Mr. Cheape, Strathtyrum, about procuring a site for a Club House and drawing plans for same.

"Mr. Anderson had drawn several plans and submitted them to Mr. Cheape, one of which was approved. He likewise had offered a certain sum of money as Feu Duty which also had been considered satisfactory."

"The Captain afterwards had a conference with Mr. Cheape and his Agent, Mr. Grace, in the latter's office when Mr. Cheape said that the St. Andrews Club would get the ground on the condition that in future the members of the Club be restricted to people belonging to and residing in St. Andrews."

"The Captain was much surprised at this condition and strongly objected to the Club restricting its membership by any such agreement but promised to lay Mr. Cheape's views before a General Meeting of the Club and let him know the results. A discussion then followed the Captain's statement on behalf of the Committee and the unanimous voice of the members present was not take the ground on the terms proposed by Mr. Cheape and his Agent."

"A. Milne moved and Jas. Robb seconded the following motion 'That the special Club House Committee be discharged, the meeting according them a vote of thanks for the efforts they had made to secure a site for a Club House, the Committee of Management to carry on further negotiations with Mr. Cheape but not to agree to any stipulations restricting the future membership of the Club only to those belonging to or resident in St. Andrews and that they also endeavour to secure any other ground or premises they may think suitable for a Club House no bargain or contract to be binding on the Club before being subject to a General Meeting.-

* [Honeyman's Garden was the name given to the ground behind the 17th green. It is an interesting thought that without Mr. Cheape's last minute change of mind, the St. Andrews Golf Club members might have spent the next century looking down on all the many Road Hole dramas from their Club House Lounge. However,we would not have been able to view all the 18th hole dramas.]

25th February 1899

"A discussion took place on the subject of whether it was practicable for the Club to erect a shelter on the Links similar to the shelter erected by the Ladies Golf Club on their green and subject to the same regulations and conditions and also to bear the same relation between its members and the public in its management especially as regards its internal privacy. The opinion was unanimous that such a shelter would have to be in close proximity to the first tee and that it would be desirable to write to the Town Council to ascertain if they would grant the Club permission to erect such a shelter before incurring any expenses for plans or otherwise."

"The Captain and Secretary were appointed to approach Baillie Balsillie to ascertain if his property abutting on the Links could be rented or leased by the Club for the use of its members as a Club House and to report at the next meeting."

11th February 1901 "There was a large attendance of members The Captain stated 'That the meeting had more particularly been called for to enable the members to discuss the appointment of a Special Committee for the purpose of acquiring Mr. Kirk's property at Pilmuir Links, which is to be sold on 19th inst., for a Club House."

The property was purchased for considerably more than our Committee was prepared to offer.

29th August 1903

It was proposed to approach the Liberal and A.0.F. Golf Club to co-operate with the St. Andrews Club to ask the Town Council to grant a site to build a Club House on the Bruce Embankment. To be an Artisan Club named St. Andrews Golf Club."

"Committee to meet the delegates of Liberal and A.0.F.Golf Club on above date at Liberal Rooms. R. Wallace, Chairman. The two Clubs pledged themselves to help the St. Andrews Club to get a site. It was carried that a letter be sent to Town Clerk for first meeting of council asking them to consider the question and if they would meet the Clubs on the question."

2nd March 1905

"The Property committee met on this date to consider the advisability of acquiring a property in Kirk Place as a Club House. it was resolved to recommend the Club to bid for the house occupied by Mrs. Smith, and Messrs. Strath and Robertson were appointed as Sub Committee to ascertain what money the members and friends would generate at the rate of 5%; and to report to the Secretary when a meeting of the Club would be called."

14th March 1905

"The Secretary then explained the action of the Property Committee in recommending the purchase of the house in Kirk Place and introduced the question of the guarantee fund Mr. Robertson then reported the progress made in collecting the necessary funds, and showed a rough plan procured for the information of the Committee. After considerable discussion as to alterations and prospects of the scheme, the Secretary stated that he was indebted to Mr. Schimm for much valuable information as to the probable cost and profits of such an undertaking.

Our members were always ready to lend money to the Club both in 1905 and 1932 when it was required to fund the new clubhouses.

The Building Committee which organised our first clubhouse in 1905 in what is now Auchterlonie's Shop .Standing: Walter Anderson, Robert Robertson, A. Schimm, Angus W Gregor, (succeeded A. Strath), Seated: A. Dewar, Alex Milne, George Greig (Captain), Thomas Stuart and David Auchterlonie

1932 Links House Committee

Mr. Schimm then explained his scheme in detail showing that a considerable profit was likely to result if carried out on good lines. After further discussion, Mr. Schimm proposed that the Committee be informed to buy the property. Mr. Robertson urged that an effort be made to acquire the property and Mr. Greig suggested that a Committee be appointed to buy the house. Mr. Wilson moved that a Committee of 3 or 5 be appointed. Mr. Schimm seconded 5 which was carried. This Committee to co-operate with the Property. Mr. WalterAnderson suggested that the Committee buy any of the three houses for sale. Messrs. Greig, Schimm, D. Auchterlonie, A. Robertson and A. Strath were then appointed with the Secretary.

"The Chairman called upon M Cargill Cantley who was present to give the meeting some information with regard to the financial position. Mr. Cantley stated that they could raise a loan of £600 on the property of 4 per cent and with £530 guaranteed they had £330 in hand for alterations, furnishings etc. He gave a simple explanation of what had to be done in the way of appointing trustees and granting a bond."

Our first Clubhouse was bought for £800. Immediately a host of minor problems had to be considered and resolved. For example:

5th October 1905 "Draught Beer. The Secretary was instructed to order Draught from Messrs. Youngers & Coy, Edinburgh, same as supplied to the R&A Club. Shooting Amusement. On the question of Mr. R. Wallace it was agreed to recommend to the General Committee the purchase of two airguns + Targets, making a small charge for the use of same, and that a sub committee be appointed to carry out the arrangements."

"Cycle House. It was to ask Mr. David Craig to put up a temporary erection at the back of the Club House with a corrugated iron roof for the accommodation of cycles."

3rd May 1907

"The minutes of the meeting of the committee held on Ist ult. and 2nd inst. were read and approved. Gas Fittings. The Committee decided to adopt gas for the new building and it was stated that Mr. Hall, gas manager, had offered to fit up 18 lights throughout the Club House at a cost of 22/6 yearly for seven years, payable quarterly and at the end of that period the gas fittings would become the property of the Club."

The Bar Lounge in 1946. Our present bar is now where the two windows are, the bar then was the hatch in the wall.

The Bar Lounge in 1992. The doorway in the 1946 picture was blocked off.

4th June 1907 "The minutes of the meeting of the committee held on 7th were read and approved of.

Supply of Liquor ~ Samples of whisky from the firms of Messrs. Walker & Sons and McIntosh & McIntosh were tested by the committee and the committee resolved to order a "Special' Blend Walker & Sons at 14/10 besides having the blend at present on sale.

Bazaar Surplus. The committee agreed, on condition that Mr. Singer relinquish a sum of £3 which he claims as due to him from the Bazaar Funds, that he be allowed to take the Japanese Umbrellas. It was stated that a case of two dozen Whisky should be taken into stock."

In 1922 when the property next door came on the market the club decided to go for expansion. This was the corner property now part of Auchterlonie's shop. It cost £1,575. 23rd May 1922.

"it was decided not to advertise the Kitchen portion of Kinloch Cottage which the Club did not intend to occupy at present. Several applications had been made for these rooms and after consideration it was decided to offer the St. Regulus Ladies' Club the premises at an annual rent of (£15)." Early in 1932, the committee had drawn up plans to develop our buildings but these were cancelled "in view of the financial crisis through which the country had been passing".

Suddenly in August, however, the minutes show us that the committee had bought Links House, our present home, for £2700 without consulting the members. My information is that the Club had prior knowledge that the property was coming on the market and moved within days to buy it secretly before its availability was known in the town. It was a case of "Cometh the hour, Cometh the committee". We can only be grateful that they had the nerve to act so positively and swiftly and hand us the present Club house with its superb setting looking onto the Old Course's 18th green. 8th August 1932

"The Captain explained to the meeting that the General Committee had purchased the Links House for the sum of £2700 and that the purpose of the meeting was to get the Trustees to homologate that action. Mr. Cantley gave a very lucid explanation regarding the negotiations for the property especially as to the reason for not calling a general meeting of the members beforehand.

The draft plan of the property was submitted and the treasurer gave an account of the financial position of the Club showing that the actual assets (after deducting liabilities for debentures) were £1200 cash plus the value of the present property. The president and Mr. Provan expressed themselves as fully approving the General Committee's action, of the Links House as an ideal site for a club house and also commended the Club on its financial position. The action of the committee was therefore entirely homologated. The Captain thanked the President, the Trustees and Mr. Cantley for their kindness and the secretary was instructed to call an Extraordinary general meeting of the members at 8 p.m. on Thursday 25th August."

The Reading and Luncheon Rooin in 1946. This is now the Middle Lounge. Its bar is where the windows were in this photograph.

25th August 1932

"The Captain explained to the meeting the various steps the Committee had taken in purchasing the Links House for the sum of £2700, especially stressing the fact that the renovation of the present property was to cost in excess of £4000."

The conversion of a large Victorian house into a golf club house presented problems and the necessary alterations costing £2000 were authorised. It was decided to borrow £1000 at 4% from club members in multiples of £25. The two properties forming our first clubhouse were sold for £1800.

17th July 1933

"It was intimated by the Captain that the formal opening of the Club's new premises had been arranged for Thursday 20th July at 8.30 p.m. and the secretary was instructed to have invitations sent to representatives of all local golf clubs, Leven and Carnoustie clubs, contractors, architects and Mr. Cantley and the Vice President. It was stated Provost Boase had made a gift of a Barrel of Beer for the occasion and the Captain intimated that he and the Vice Captain had purchased a cigarette box specially inscribed for £3.5.6 to present to the Provost as a momento of the occasion.

The Secretary was authorised to obtain 6 enamel cups for the serving of beer during the evening and to place a supply of brandy, whisky, soda at the head of the table."

Just before the outbreak of war, plans were drawn up to cover over what had been the cycle basement outside our present entrance but these were shelved and brought out again in 1945. For years building restrictions made it very difficult to carry out even internal improvements.

At the 1970 A.G.M. a plan was put forward to develop the Upper Lounge. This involved removing part of the rear wall and building a new bar and store on top of the lower bar and store, and replacing the Reading Room wall with a sliding partition to create the L-shaped room. Despite opposition, the plan was approved and implemented, giving the members much needed additional space.

The final part of the clubhouse story was put in place when in 1977 our committee purchased the basement of the next door property which was converted into the Mixed Lounge we know. Support has been "mixed" but whatever its future, it represents a very valuable addition to the assets of the Club.

Future developments of the building are difficult to anticipate. If the pressure on space increases, it may be possible to extend our building at the rear. Alternatively, it might be possible to fill in the central well though this would require extensive and expensive internal alterations. We have an imperfect building on the perfect site.

The Middle Lounge, 1993