CADDYING FOR THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND AMONG DUNCAN’S FOND MEMORIES
CAST an eye down the list of trophy winners at Royal Dornoch and the name Bethune features prominently.
Not surprisingly, it has led to the occasional case of mistaken identity.
In the latest interview in our “Monday Memories” series, past captain Willie MacKay sat down with lifelong member Duncan Bethune.
Sadly, Duncan passed away in June but the club, which was so close to his heart, is proud to pay tribute to one of our longest serving members.
While the Carnegie Shield evaded him – 10 times winner and legendary Highland golfer Jimmy Miller “got in my road” – Duncan claimed the club championship in 1970 and again, after a 12-year gap, in 1982.
His late brother Dennis, a Silver Medal winner who served as captain from 1987-89, was the father of Gary, who handed over the captaincy reins last month to Colin MacKay.
Retired joiner Duncan recalls an awkward conversation in the old clubhouse foyer when a member congratulated his brother on winning the club championship, only to be informed it was D.A rather than D.M.M. Bethune who had emerged top of the pile that season.
Golf and Dornoch run through the family DNA, with two generations playing influential roles in the development of the golf club.
Duncan, who was born in 1942, recalls a childhood in a town where friends grew up without fathers, lost to the war.
Golf, of course, played an integral part in his youth and, again, when his football career was cut short by a leg shattered during his days with Brora Rangers in the Highland League.
In a wide-ranging chat with Willie, he recalls many of the characters around the club who will be fondly remembered by older members; heading down to the links with golf clubs, and a football, after the Forces had moved out; a run-in with the constabulary over a roe deer which came to grief on the links; and the Tarbat Ness lighthouse across the Dornoch Firth flashing on his bedroom ceiling in the old clubhouse.
Among his anecdotes, Duncan touches fondly on his role as caddy to the Duke of Sutherland, a long-time club president.
“The Duke used to take me to Golspie as his caddy. We were chauffeured across, in the front seat with her ladyship in the back,” Duncan says.
“Was he a fair player?” inquires Willie.
Without missing a beat, Duncan chimes, with a chuckle: “No.”
Signing off, Duncan reflects on his involvement with the Juniors committee when it started out. Nowadays more than 130 local youngsters are enjoying expert tuition from the coaching team.
“We struggled at times but it has grown into a wonderful thing, tremendous for a town the size of Dornoch to give the youngsters the chance they are getting now.”
These days Royal Dornoch teenagers have an opportunity to take part in the Morcott Challenge and enjoy visits to the United States.
Duncan laughed: “We got a trip to Bonar once. That was the highlight!”
Watch Duncan’s Monday Memories below: