Golf In Prestwick
Then and Now
Harry Ward
When I was asked to write an article on golf in Prestwick my immediate thoughts were, of course, Prestwick Golf Club. But it struck me that most readers will probably know just about as much as I do about the history of both the club and its course. Which left me in a bit of a dilemma as to how to convey some new information.
We can’t escape the fact that Prestwick Golf Club, founded in 1851, was home to the first Open Golf Championship in 1860 and still retains its position as the second most used venue in the history of the event. The golf course had changed little over the years, but the club has just completed a new modern extension to its clubhouse which demonstrates the progressive attitude of the club and the present committee. This attitude is also conveyed to the thousands of overseas visitors who all receive a warm welcome and a brief summary as to what they can expect during their visit to enhance their experience of one Scotland’s most historic venues. There is definitely an air of ‘We’re aw Jock Tamson’s Bairns’ which is somewhat different from some of the other famous Scottish clubs, although, most of them are slowly beginning to come into the modern world, just as Prestwick has done.
It’s perhaps a bit unfortunate that our second club, Prestwick St Nicholas Golf Club, is regarded by those who don’t know any better as the poor relation, but it should always be remembered that the St Nicholas club was born in the same year, sharing both the course and clubhouse of Prestwick Golf Club for 26 years until its first move across the road in July 1877. Seeking some independence, the St Nicholas moved to the southeast end of the village on ground extending to about 30 acres. This area is now occupied by Sainsbury’s, but the club played away quite happily at this location for another 14 years till 1891, when it made the move to its existing course back over the Ayr Road.
When the gents vacated the golf course in 1891, a group of ladies saw the opportunity of securing a ready-made golf course for their newly formed Prestwick St Nicholas Ladies Golf Club and moved in – golf course, clubhouse and all. The St Nicholas Ladies used this course until 1935 at which time they joined their male colleagues across the road. As soon as the ladies had moved out the council purchased the land for around £12,000 and retained the course as a municipal golf course for ladies and juveniles with the proviso that gents could use the course only if accompanied by a lady player. The course was re-opened under these conditions and was in play until the 1950s. This course was also re-named St Ninians.
Municipal golf first came to Prestwick in 1912 with a nine-hole course laid out by David Kinnell of St Nicholas. This Kingcase course was so popular that it was extended to 18 holes within six months of opening. As was so often the case, WWI took its toll on the course, but in 1929 it was re-opened. The course finally closed just after WWII.
The big two Ayrshire clubs, along with Lanark, are celebrating their 175th year of existence in 2026 and we wish them well for their next century – and beyond. Somewhat younger (1899) but no less popular is Prestwick St Cuthbert Golf Club which has been through its own trials and tribulations throughout the years, having to re-locate its course due to encroachments from Prestwick Airport in 1963. However, this was not the first time they’d had to move as they were asked to leave their first location at Monkton Mill after only one medal round due to a fall out with the estate management.
Golf in Prestwick has a fascinating history but the towns courses continue to attract visitors from far and wide.
