1894
Born in Dornoch in 1872, Donald Ross tees off on the 17th, “The Witch”, now the 18th tee on the Struie.
He serves as Dornoch’s “keeper of the greens” and the Club’s first Professional from 1893-1898. In 1899 he emigrates to the USA becoming one of the greats of golf course architecture. A prolific golf course designer of over 400 courses predominantly in North America, Donald is heavily influenced by the topography of his hometown course. Donald is followed to the US by his younger brother Alec who wins the US Open in 1907 – a feat his older brother is unable to match.
Of Dornoch, Donald Ross later writes: ‘Modesty forbids me saying more than it is the most beautifully situated links in the world, and that no American golfer should omit to go there, where he will find the best golf, a royal welcome and no rabble.”