The game of golf is not a new tradition in Balfron. There had been a 9 hole course at the top of the village for many years
until, in 1939, Balfron Golf Club was dissolved and the land given up for agricultural use during the 2nd World War. In 1991 Balfron
Golf Society was formed by a small group of individuals most of whom lived or had been born in the village. A public meeting was arranged to gauge support for a new community venture which would re-create a nine hole course on the site of
the original one.
Within a few months funding was put in place, the land was purchased and the hard work started with squads of volunteers clearing
the grazing land with borrowed equipment and the advice of local expertise. Greens and tees were marked out and prepared for play,
some emerging quite naturally from the general lay of the land, bridges built, clubhouse restored and erected and a huge tree
planting operation directed by the forestry commission was completed. The 9 hole course opened on Saturday 4th July 1994.
The last 15 years have seen continuous improvements in the course.The greens have improved consistently year on year and between
1994 and 1997, 3 new greens and 6 new tees have been designed and built.
In 1997 the Society purchased adjoining land which meant that the course could be extended to 18 holes.
Support was forthcoming from Sports Scotland Lottery Fund, The Foundation for Sport & Arts, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club
and the Paul Charitable Trust, a local trust. With funding in place, the new holes were designed and planning permission approved for
10 new holes - the existing 2nd hole was replaced. The plans included a workshop and machine shed and an extension to the existing clubhouse and on the 30th of June 2001 the new 18 hole Shian Course of Balfron
Golf Society was opened for play.
Since then the society has continued to improve the course and extended the 17th hole, building a new medal tee and a challenging
new green which has significantly lengthened the hole. A new practice putting green is coming into play in the 2010 season.
The club employs a professional Head Green Keeper who has a permanent team of 4, and over the summer months the society also
normally employs a number students during the summer vacation to assist. Course Rangers patrol the course, to provide information to
members and visitors and in addition they ensure some catering supplies are available - a service which has been well received by
members and guests.
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