A Short history of Kilbirnie Place Golf Club

From very humble beginnings, the club has attained status worthy of the townspeople of Kilbirnie and District, thanks to the efforts over the years of an enthusiastic band of dedicated men and women.

According to earliest records available, the course was initially sited on land adjoining the main road to Dalry, locally known as “The Briery Sink”. Some years later it was moved, but only for a short time, to Brockley Hill, just north of the present Milton housing estate. The next home was on land known as the Croft, situated immediately to the west of the public park, and now occupied by the Bathville Road part of the Fudstone housing complex. It was here that the first clubhouse was erected in 1923, at a cost of some £250. This timber building was dismantled and re-erected on the present site of the first medal tee, when the club moved in 1925 to 35 acres of unkept land leased at a nominal annual fee from General Sir Charles Matthew and on his death, subsequently from Miss Martha Knox. The nineholes laid out here still forms part of the enlarged course.

From 1925 until the outbreak of World War II in 1939, the club existed on limited resources, but nevertheless managed to make many improvements and additions. During the war years, the club was kept alive by a small band of enthusiasts and unlike many similar sporting associations, was in a good position to resume playing activities as and when former members, and new ones, returned to normal civilian occupations. Finances, for a time, were strained to the limit, but the course was maintained by the members themselves. Around 70 years ago, Mr Willie Duncan and Mr Willie Taylor made the journey, cap in hand, over to Place House to see Miss Knox (owner of the original 9 holes & Place Farm) to negotiate extending the lease on the ground, to ensure golf would be played for many years to come. They were delighted with the outcome.

Gradually membership increased, and a period of steady consolidation and ground improvements ensued. Most members by this time were working at the Steelworks and shift patterns dictated when the course would be busiest.

The club grew in stature and popularity, and in August 1968, a new Cedarwood clubhouse was opened to satisfy the needs of members. For the first time, the club was able to provide a 19th hole service, as well as hosting functions. Soon there was a waiting list of applications for membership, and a jump to 18 holes was the next obvious step.

An additional nine holes were opened in 1977, with 115 new members admitted. The layout of the original 9 changed very little; holes 1, 2 and 3 were unaltered. The old 4th , 5th and 6th became modern 8, 9 and 10. The old 7th (now 11) was lengthened and the tee moved to “the bing”. The old 8th (now 17) was always the long one with the fairway much narrower than present. The 9th (now 18th) is still the same unique finishing hole, the Beech trees on the left ever-present.

With foresight from the management committee, the wheels were already in motion for larger clubhouse accommodation to meet the requirements of the increase. And so, in June 1978, the present clubhouse where you are standing, was officially opened.

As we move into KPGC’s second century of existence, the club continues to prosper in today’s modern world. Although it is a far cry from these early days from which few who participated survive, at the heartbeat of the club remains a hard-working, selfless group of local men and women, as it was 100 years ago.