History of Highland golf club told in South African businessman's e-book
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A retired South African businessman has been putting the finishing touches to an e-book on the history of one of the oldest golf clubs in the Highlands.
Rif Clarke, an adopted Highlander, spent six years going through newspaper cuttings at libraries in Inverness and Dingwall to find out about Muir of Ord Golf Club in Ross-shire.
Although the club had its centenary in 1975 and was named as Scottish Golf Club of the Year in 2016, this is the first time a detailed history has been compiled.
The e-book is entitled A Success Story and includes a foreword by Lord Lovat.
Rif, who settled in the area 16 years ago after leaving Cape Town, has sourced early maps of Muir of Ord, including the Market Stance area where the original nine holes were created.
The 13th green is constructed on the site of a scheduled ancient monument, known as Castle Hill henge.
His research also touches on the golfing boom of the late 19th century when courses were developed in towns and villages across the region.
Rif (69) says the impact made by legendary Scottish golf course architect James Braid in the 1920s left a lasting impression, with visiting golfers from around the world still being lured to Muir of Ord.
“Braid tinkered with bunkers on some of the original holes and mapped out the plans for expanding the course to 18 holes when land became available from the Lovat family on the other side of the railway line,” he said.
Rif, who joined Muir of Ord more than 10 years ago and is a past member of the club council, began his research before the pandemic.
“I spent many an hour in the libraries at Dingwall and Inverness before the pandemic and then accessed the online newspaper archives at the British Library,” he explained.
“I have enjoyed taking on the task of researching the history of the club and I am grateful for the support from former captain Hamish Milne.”
The club is already preparing plans to celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025.
