LITERARY MILESTONES IN THE REVIVAL OF ROYAL DORNOCH’S FORTUNES
SIXTY years on from going to print in the “The New Yorker” magazine, Herbert Warren Wind’s seminal essay, “North to the Links of Dornoch,” is still being hailed as an influential turning point in the fortunes of the Highland town.
While the Edwardian heyday of Royal Dornoch Golf Club had seen well-heeled visitors from the south decant from railway carriages to while away the summer in grand homes and hotels, by the 1960s the lure of the links had faded.
Wind’s timely reminder of the enduring charms of both town and golf course sowed the seeds of recovery, with Major winners Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw later encouraging golfers to follow in their footsteps and make the pilgrimage to savour the rolling terrain which had heavily influenced legendary golf course architect, Dornoch-born Donald Ross.
Canadian author and golf journalist Lorne Rubenstein has also played an integral role in spreading word of Royal Dornoch’s status as one of the world’s finest golfing experiences.
A 25th anniversary edition of his timeless book, “A Season in Dornoch,” has been published by Back Nine Press, complete with superb photographs capturing the beauty of the Championship Course and a foreword by friend and fellow golfing scribe and historian, Stephen Proctor.
Lorne admits that the June 1964 edition of “The New Yorker” first introduced him to Dornoch and captured his imagination.
“Our family subscribed to ‘The New Yorker’ and I remember reading the essay when it first came out,” said Lorne, whose impact on Royal Dornoch was reflected by being awarded life membership of the club two summers back.
“There was something about that article and about Dornoch that appealed to me.
“I can’t really say what it was that struck a chord because I didn’t have a background in Scottish golf. My parents and other members of the family hadn’tbeen to Scotland.
“You can’t always discern what affects you when you are young.
“Later, when I got into golf writing, I got to know Herb and spent a lot of time with him.
“We wanted to include that essay in this 25th anniversary edition of ‘A Season on Dornoch’ and we were glad to be given permission by Herb’s estate.
“There’s no doubt the essay was very influential in the United States in terms of bringing golfers to Dornoch, either as people read it or passed it on. Not a lot of people in North America or around the world were aware of Dornoch back then.
“It’s remarkable that the essay is still being referred to 60 years down the line.
“With Tom Watson and Ben Crenshaw visiting and talking about Royal Dornoch in the 1980s that also helped lure golfers from North America.
“They appreciated it represented a pure form of the game, with most of the courses on the PGA Tour being very similar to one another.
“Crenshaw, in particular, is an historian of the game. I visited him once at his home in Austin, Texas, and he has an exhaustive library on golfing architecture. He reads those books, they aren’t just there for show.
“Watson just loves Royal Dornoch and has often spoken about it. The visits by Tom and Ben, along with Herb’s essay, certainly had a great influence in terms of raising the profile of what is now regarded as one of the finest links in the world.
“I do hope my book has also helped in some small way in that regard. If the anniversary edition tempts readers to visit Dornoch, then that is terrific.
“I remember on one occasion the starter came over on the first tee and asked if I was the guy who had written that book about Dornoch and the golf course?
“He told me many people had come to Dornoch and spoken about the influence the book had on them. That is very rewarding.
“I’m glad the book has had staying power.
“Hopefully that will continue with all the new material contained in the anniversary edition. There are people golfing now who were children back when the book first came out, or maybe they weren’t even born.
“It was a tremendous thrill when I got the email from general manager Neil Hampton to say I was being given life membership of the club because of the positive impact made by the book. Coming over with my family in June of 2022 to receive the honour meant a lot to me.
“The great thing about Dornoch is that little changes about the essence of the town as the years go by.
“Sure, there are more homes around and more people visiting. The golf courses have been tweaked a little and a new clubhouse is being built.
“But when I visit this summer, it will feel just like it did back when I was living in Dornoch with my wife Nell and working on the book.
“When you take that road off the A9 you are stepping back in time in some ways.
“Royal Dornoch and the town represent what is best about the game of golf.
“They appeal in quite fundamental ways, in terms of the golf, the landscape, the historical background and the peace and quiet offered to visitors.
“It is an enriching place in so many ways and it certainly has been for me over many years. That’s why I love it so much.”