1914 to 1918 – the war years
The biggest impact of war for the Golf Club was the huge naval presence in the Forth.
This was a mixed blessing. . .
Naval officers swelled the number of players and left generous gratuities.
The Club minutes of Saturday 10th March 1917 record:
The Secretary reported the receipt of £9 from the Officers of the Battle Cruiser Force for distribution among the Club’s servants and was authorised to return thanks and to distribute the money as follows.
Club Mistress £3:-:-
Her Maid £2:-:-
Her Weekend Assistant £1:10/:-
Green Keeper £2:-:-
His Assistant 10/-
Total £9:-:-
The introduction in 1917 of Food rationing was more of an inconvenience than a hardship for members.
At the end of the war both the Royal Navy and US Navy presented the club with Trophy Cups in thanks for the hospitality they had received.
As he donated the Grand Fleet Cup, Vice-Admiral Leveson jested: “Plagiarising a well-known remark, it might be said that the great surrender in the Forth was won on the golf courses round the Forth.”
On the downside, civilian membership had halved (falling to 220 by 1919), trenches had been dug on the course, and the clubhouse had been damaged while occupied by military personnel. (The club eventually received compensation in 1921.)
The club concentrated on restoring the course, and rebuilding membership, publishing a glossy handbook in 1920.
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