A MILESTONE DAY IN A 30-YEAR QUEST
Photo caption:
Royal Dornoch Golf Club’s groundbreaking ceremony for the new clubhouse featured (from left) Men’s captain Professor David Bell CBE, Ladies captain Wilma Murray, Juniors captain Kieran Allan, Alison Muirhead, construction director with Morrison Construction, Mike Ross, the club’s project director, Alan Ramsey, club president, Cath MacAngus, chair of Dornoch and District Community Council and immediate past chair Paddy Murray, and Donald McLachlan, managing director with Morrison Construction. Pic: Matthew Harris
ROYAL Dornoch Golf Club members braved the winter weather as a groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of work on a new £13.9 million clubhouse.
The 18-month project near the first tee on the world-famous Championship Course will see the existing clubhouse being replaced.
It opened in 1908 and has been extended in piecemeal fashion over the decades.
Proposals for a replacement clubhouse built to contemporary standards to reflect the club’s standing in world golf had been mooted in the past and members finally gave the green light for the development to proceed in the autumn at a special general meeting.
Men’s captain Professor David Bell CBE was joined by Ladies Captain Wilma Murray and Juniors captain Kieran Allan as he cut the first turf with an engraved silver shovel as members looked on.
They were joined by Alison Muirhead, construction director with Morrison Construction, Mike Ross, the club’s project director, Alan Ramsey, club president, Cath MacAngus, chair of Dornoch and District Community Council and immediate past chair Paddy Murray, and Donald McLachlan, managing director with Morrison Construction.
Professor Bell said: “This is a milestone event in the history of our golf club which dates back to 1877 and also for the town in which I grew up.
“Thanks to our volunteers within the club who have made this 30-year quest a reality.
“We are delighted that our new clubhouse is now moving from the drawing board, as the exciting Keppie Design plans take shape.
“We are looking forward to working closely with the Morrison Construction team, a business which has its roots in Tain.
“Royal Dornoch is counting down to our 150th anniversary in 2027 and we are all looking forward to welcoming guests to our new clubhouse from around the world to join the celebrations.”
“Steps have been taken to ensure that golf on our celebrated Championship Course will continue uninterrupted as the project takes shape.”