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The First Meeting
On the evening of Friday 5th June 1896 a meeting was held in the Queens
Temperance Hotel. On the motion of Mr James Towns, who presided, it was
unanimously resolved to form a Golf Club for Wednesday players, to be called the
"Half Holiday Golf Club". The "Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin
Review" of July 10th reported under a heading of "Golf - Montrose -
New Club",
"A new Club has been formed at Montrose. The members, who already number
about 30, are principally shopkeepers whose only leisure time is a Wednesday
afternoon. The Club has been named the Half Holiday Golf Club and, in addition
to a badge which the members themselves purchased, Messrs Lever Brothers of
Sunlight Soap fame have presented a cup for competition."
The meeting decided to fix the joining fee at 1 shilling and a monthly badge
would be played for on the third Wednesday of each month with an entry fee of
sixpence (6d). A Committee was formed which consisted of Captain - Geo. Smith,
Secretary - A.D. Mathieson, Treasurer - Robt. Eaddie, and W. Grahame,
W. Kinnear, Jas. Towns and J. Falconer.
Perhaps they had been inspired by an Open tournament held over the links of
Montrose during the last week of May. The field consisted of amateurs and
professionals and included three past winners of The Open Championship, W.
Fernie (1883), W. Auchterlonie (1893), W. Park Jnr (1887 & 1889) and A. Herd
who was to claim the title in 1902. The 1896 Montrose tournament was won by W.
Fernie.
First Competition
On the following Wednesday, the 10th June, the golfers played with "the
purpose of ascertaining the players scores." This would seem to be the
playing for a handicap. The Review of 10th July reports that the first
competition had a "good number of entries", and that "J. Chisholm
won badge with a score of 99, 1 below his registered number" (1 below his
handicap). The lowest gross score was recorded by John Falconer with 89,
although this was playing to 2 above his handicap. Sweepstake winners were 1st
D. Foreman 101 and W. Towns 111 (1 above), 2nd J. Towns 95 (2 above), 3rd W.
Graham 97 (3 above).
First Trophy Presentation
The following piece, taken from the Club's original Minute Book, reports the
first Trophy Presentation held in the Queens Temperance Hotel on Friday 25th
September.
"A social evening, the occasion being the presentation of the Handicap Cup
and prizes to the winners was tonight held. There was a large attendance of
members present. Before handing over the Cup, the Captain, Mr Smith, in a
few well chosen remarks referred to the interest which had been taken in the
Club since its formation a few months ago, by the members. Thereafter the cup
and badges were formally presented to the winner and runner-up respectively, and
the prize money to the semi-finalists. After the health of the cupholder had
been enthusiastically pledged, three cheers were, on the motion of Mr John
Falconer, heartily given for Messrs Lever Bros., the donors of the cup. A
pleasant evening was then spent in song and sentiment, the proceedings being
brought to a close by the singing of "Auld Lang Syne"."
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