| Balfron
Golf Society
The
game of golf is not a new tradition in Balfron.
There had been a nine 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. A couple of attempts to reform the club in the 1940's
were unsuccessful but 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 constitution
was written, trophies rescued from the vault of the local bank and the inaugural
outing to Callander Golf Club in Perthshire arranged in the summer of 1991. |
| 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. The support
was tremendous and the levels of enthusiasm which were generated inspired the
committee to undertake the research needed to assess the viability of proceeding
with such an ambitious project. |
 | 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 [ an unwanted sports pavilion ] restored and erected and a huge
tree planting operation directed by the forestry commission was completed. |
| After
much hard work the course was opened in grand style on Saturday 4th July 1994
- a great celebration in the form of a stableford competition with family BBQ
. The last 7 years have seen continuous improvements in the course. The greens
have improved consistently year on year and 3 completely new greens [ holes 1,2
& 3] have been designed and built and 6 new tees built. The club has employed
a professional Head Green Keeper for the last 4 seasons with a permanent team
of 2, and for the past two seasons we have also employed 3 students during the
summer vacation to assist. A course Ranger who patrols the course, provides information
to members and visitors has been employed. In addition he ensures some catering
supplies are available - a service which has been well recieved by members and
guests. |
| In
1997 the Society was given an opportunity to purchase adjoining land which meant
that the course could be extended to 18 holes. Too good an opportunity to miss.
The task of assessing the feasibilty of extending to 18 commenced with the endorsemnt
of the members. Support was sought from Sports Scotland Lottery Fund, The Foundation
for Sport & Arts, The Royal and Ancient Golf Club and other sources of funding.
In due course funding was approved. The Society had additional support from a
local trust and each member agreed to a small levy.
|
| With
funding in place, the course was designed by Robin
Hiseman, our course architect and planning permission was approved for 10
new holes - the exisiting 2nd hole was replaced. As
well as 10 new holes, the plans included a workshop and machine shed for the greenkeepers
to work from and an extension to the existing clubhouse to improve facilities
for members and provide facilitites for visitors.
A carefully
planned programme for course development was implemented during the 2000/2001
season and the new 18 hole Shian Course of Balfron Golf Society was opened for
play on the 30th of June 2001 opening
day photo opening
day photo For
more information about the society please contact
- Balfron
Golf Society back
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