MONDAY MEMORIES: CHRISTINE MURRAY, LADIES CAPTAIN DURING ROYAL DORNOCH CENTENARY YEAR
DORNOCH born Bob MacDonald was tempted to cross the Atlantic to forge a professional golfing career in the early years of the 20th Century.
As an edition of our online “Dornoch Days” publication recounted, he went on to open the first indoor driving range, in Chicago, teach the game to Hollywood screen idols – and win the first Texas Open in 1922, which carried a record prize of $1633.
In an interview for our “Oral Memories” series, Bob’s niece Christine Murray, who was brought up in the Royal Dornoch clubhouse, where her father was the steward/caretaker, remembers Bob creating quite a stir on his return to his hometown.
“Bob was one of the early pros to go from Scotland to the States. He was my father Jim’s eldest brother,” recalls retired teacher Christine.
His other brothers Bill and Jack also headed for the USA to forge careers as professionals.
“I have vague recollections of him coming back to Dornoch when I was a young girl.
“There weren’t many Buicks in Dornoch at the time!
“He had brought it on the ship to Liverpool and drove up.”
With the new clubhouse taking shape, Christine remembers the days when the RAF had requisitioned the golf club and the adjacent Royal Golf Hotel for the war effort; the old rooftop clock – preserved in the local museum – ticking away above her upstairs bedroom; and earning 3/6d pocket money caddying on the links.