The Gowffer’s TattleThe aim of the society is to increase the recognition of Leith Links as the home of the

earliest recorded rules of golf and one of the game’s prominent early locations.Issue 8

www.leith-rules-golf.co.uk

In this Issue1 Editorial2 LRGS 9th AGM 3 Gilliam Kirkwood Presentation

4 LRGS Anniversary Dinner5 Remembering Jim McAslan6 City Backs Rattray

7 The Hickory Grail8 Clan Rattray Gathering9 2012 Events

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Welcome to the Eighth issue of The Gowffer’s Tattle. The Society for all of its mod-est numbers, fifty in all, is in vibrant good health. Its activi-ties far and away exceed what might be expected from such a small group.

Leith Links, as the venue during those early years from 1744 is where competi-tive golf as we know it today had its origins. Unmarked, uncelebrated, inexcusably unknown, the primary driver and purpose of LRGS and the City of Edinburgh is to bring international awareness and acknowledgement of the sig-nificance of Leith Links as the venerated birthplace of golf as a competitive sport. How best to achieve this has been the subject of considerable debate.

The debate is now over and our team is about to com-mence detailed design work of the landscape setting for the Memorial and submitting this for planning consent.

July 2012

LRGS 9th AGM

The AGM held on 30 January 2012 took place at the Leith Franklin Academicals CC, Leith Links.With our President Douglas Foulis in the chair, the usual business was reported and passed with little comment in record time. We are happy to welcome Richard Ellis as an of-fice bearer and member of the LRGS Committee.After the formal proceedings guest speaker Gillian Kirkwood, Chair and Rules Official of the LGU, past chair of the SLGU and on the board of several promi-nent golf organizations, gave a talk of great interest on the his-tory and future of Olympic golf and the contribution and place of women’s golf in our beloved sport.

We are forever grateful to Eve-lyn Hislop and Evelyn Brown, who provided our staple diet of pie and beans with their tremendous warmth and sense of humour.

Robin Morris, Treasurer Gillian Kirkwood, Chair, LGUGolf in the Modern OlympicsEditorial

William Cairns, Editor

By 1900 there were more than 2 million golf players, however, women had had to fight for their rights to be accepted on the golf course. Men would build pitch and putt courses for their female relatives, but would not tolerate them on their longer links. The Ladies Golf Union was founded in 1893 when representatives from over 50 Ladies clubs got together at a meeting in London. It took a few years, but the better women players demonstrated that they had the length and shot-making skills to play on a full-sized course. By the early part of the 20th century the top echelon of women golfers played their tournaments on Championship courses.

The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. The event was held only for men – women were not even allowed to watch. The events were mostly track and field.

Leith Rules Golf Society Newsletter

President: A.D. Foulis TD. Chairman: Brian Graham

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This year for the first time we decided to organise a dinner to mark the 7th March anniversary and it proved to be a great success.

The venue was the Scotch Malt Whisky Society which proved to be an excellent choice.

Our speaker for the evening was Sir Charles Fraser, a member at Muirfield. After a first class dinner Sir Charles spoke on his time as a member of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers and rather strange way his proposal as a member moved up the waiting list very quickly. A secret not to be repeated!!! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed what he had to say and the very relaxed way in which he delivered it. All round it was a very good evening which was enjoyed by all.

I can confirm that we have already booked the Vaults venue for a dinner for next year so book early to avoid disappointment.

Sir Charles Fraser, KCVO CVO LVO WS Dl.

LRGS Anniversary Dinner, 7th March 2012 Hosted by Brian Graham, Chairman LRGS, Grace by Archie Baird

We are indebted to Archie Baird for his characteristic wit and enthusiasm exemplified by his Grace.

‘We’re here to honour Ancient Leith,The sky, the sun, and Links beneath.The long-nosed clubs, the feather ball,Five testing holes, - and thats not all,For now we use the hickory shafts,The gutta ball, - we must be daft!But we have fun, a little pain.We’ll soon be out to play again.

So tuck your napkins and up with your paws, Give thanks for your health and the use of your jaws.’

Jim McAslan in action

We were saddened to hear that one of our long standing members, Jim McAslan died on 25th August 2011 and members of the society would like to take this opportunity of extending our sympathy to Betty and the family.William Cairns, Editor

‘Jim came to Edinburgh in his early teens and attended Trinity Academy, where he played rugby for the school and later for the FP Club. He also joined the school athletic club and Edinburgh Southern Harriers, specialising in the 120 yard hurdles, going on to represent Scotland on numerous occasions.

It was, however, after marrying Betty, whom he met at school, that he was introduced to golf by her Grandfather, who was a member of Dalmahoy. He joined Duddingston where he played for many years until work in East Kilbride and family commitments made it difficult to continue to play on a regular basis.

Although he had been treated for cancer, and was still enjoying life, his death came swiftly and without warning, for which Betty and the family are thankful. He was 81.

Remembering Jim McAslan Graham Mc Aslan

The second Games were held in Paris in 1900 as a side show to the World Fair. Women took part in Golf, Yachting and Tennis. The first winner of the Women’s Golf competition was Margaret Abbott of the United States.

In 1904 the Games were held in St Louis, MO. again to coincide with the World Fair. There was no Ladies tourna-ment. After that there was no golf in the Olympics until now: it is in the schedule for London this year and Rio de Janiero in 2016 and will be an event for men and women.

It will be interesting to see whether Golf in the Olympics takes off. For some sports, such as Athletics, it really is the pinnacle of the athlete’s competitive lives. But who can remember the winners of the Tennis in 2008?

Golf in the Modern OlympicsGillian Kirkwood, Chair, LGU

continued from page 1

Jim is survived by his wife Betty, daughter, four sons and ten grandchildren who he enjoyed introducing to golf in the back garden.

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Pat DenzlerCity backs RattrayThe City of Edinburgh Council is preparing a Private Bill to present to the Scottish Parlia-ment with the aim of permit-ting a Statue of John Rattray on Leith Links.

Timing is critical as we head towards July 2013 and the Open at Muirfield. Our aim is to unveil the Statue to coincide with this special event in the Golfing Calendar when the focus of world-wide golf will be on Scotland, Muirfield and the history of golf in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The timescale for presentation of the Bill to Parliament means the earliest date for our hoped-for permis-sion will be April/May 2013. With this in mind the Statue Committee is working with the various City Departments to submit detailed plans for approval while the legal issues are being negotiated.

The Memorial will comprise the statue of Captain John

Rattray, vertical stone tablets ar-ranged in a semi–circle with inset bronze entablatures of the His-tory, Rules of Golf, Replica of the Silver Club, and the names of the Sponsors, all set within a reminis-cent golfing landscape. Support from Councillor Adam McVey is much appreciated as is the support of Councillors Munro and Booth. Our aim is to bring the proud heritage and important place Leith and Edinburgh have played in the worldwide game of Golf (or Gowf ) to a much wider international audience.

NB: The first formalised Rules of Golf were drafted by the Gentle-men Golfers of Edinburgh at the behest of the City fathers who, in their far-sightedness, instituted the world’s first ever regulated golf competition for which they commissioned the Silver Club to be awarded annually.

Part of the attraction of the game lies in its etiquette nicely summarised as follows under the title “Rules of Golf” as listed in the current R & A 2012-2015 Rules of Golf booklet, spon-sored by Rolex ‘Scotland, 1744. With a simple belief in fairness, a group of men established the rules of golf. Based on honesty and integrity, the rules have preserved the chal-lenge of the game for more than 250 years. Any proposed change is always analysed against the abiding principle: “is it for the good of the game?” if it is, the rules are amended, thus strengthening the universal regulations for playing the sport we call Golf.’

My Honeymoon with the Grail Czeslaw (Chester) M Kruk

and unusually large pine needles were glittering golden on the ground. The course, laid out by D.Ross, had very tricky greens. That morning it was host to 87 competitors, dressed in 1930’s golf kit.

The official opening on 7th November inspired with

Last year, I was invited to play in the (7th) Hickory Grail, a unique biennial competition between the American and British Golf Collectors Societies, held in 2011 in Pinehurst North Carolina USA.

The British Team comprised four Scotsmen: Ron, David (also member of LRGS), Willy, John; Antie from Finland and myself, Czeslaw, a Pole (and would -be Scotsman). We were received with a warm welcome by our host Kenny Johnston.

On 5th November Willy, Antie and myself entered the Mid Pines Hickory Open: an excellent warm-up for the Grail itself. The sun was shining through North Carolina forest

speeches, national flags and national anthems. After the ceremony we all practised on the almost-brand-new golf course designed by Ben Crenshaw & Coore and co-owned by Bobby Hansen, one of the great golf collectors.

In the evening Jay Harris, a

Capt. John Rattray tees off - artists impression

USA & European players, First Tee. l-r J. Isberg, Sweden; C.Kruk, Scotland, N.Notley, England

4 Edited on behalf of LRGS by W.J. Cairns and F. Collins

The Clan Rattray Society was formed in the early 1990’s and it was decided to hold an International Gather-ing in 1996. This proved so successful that it has been repeated every 4 years since and is held to coincide with the Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games on the first Sunday of September. Mem-

bers come not only from the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand but also from countries such as India, France and Sweden and they are provided with a varied programme since for many it is their first visit to Scotland. A golf competition will be held at the Dalmunzie Hotel Golf Course in the Spittal of Glenshee to com-memorate John Rattray and the

Events 2012Matches

4-5July

Foulis Medal

6July

Hickory Open

7July

30August

16July

Hill of Tarvit

Clan Rattray Gathering

member of the American team, invited all competi-tors for a friendly drink and kindly gave me a guided tour of the best collection of golf memorabilia I have ever seen: featheries, gutties, long-nosed drivers with shallow and deep faces, cleeks, niblicks, brassies, baffies and hun-dreds of others.

The next day the match started for real and I was partnering Erik from Sweden against Breck from Arkansas and Texan Chris. Winning 3 : 2 was a fair reflection on our abilities.

Roger Hill (USA) watched by Cz. Kruk (Scotland)

My Honeymoon with the Grail Czeslaw (Chester) M Kruk

USA and Europe Team on The opening day

part he played in Scottish Golf.

Leith Rules Golf Society will run one of the sessions to cover the first recorded rules of golf.

The event closes with a ceilidh on the Saturday and a church service on the Sunday.

We wish all of those attending a great time in their ancestral home.

Chester Kruk Holding a Grail Cup

Clan Rattray GatheringTo be held at Blairgowrie and Rattray, 30th August 2012 Brian Graham, Secretary

That evening, Captain Kirkwood gathered half of the team at the finest dining place in Pinehurst we discussed our strategy for the last day, single matches. We needed that as Europe trailed 8 ½ to 3 ½.

I got a chance to prove again that my LRGS membership and Musselburgh connection with golf is built on a firm base. On Wednesday 9th November Europe had to win every single match as it was vital to retain the Cup. I did my best and beat Roger 3 and 1 but the final result was 14 to 10 and the Grail Cup went to the Americans.

The presentation and dinner at the famous Holly Inn was a memorable occasion with song, good food and wine. I left Pinehurst with the experience of a lifetime after almost 30 years of being involved with golf.

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Home Address:Leith Rules Golf Societyc/o Leith Franklin AcademicalsCricket PavilionLeith Links, LeithEdinburgh Eh6 7QR

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