MY GOLFING STORY

Harry Ward

Since I’ve been contributing to Ayrshire Magazine for some time, I felt it was time I formally introduced myself.

Having been brought up in the small town of Biggar in Lanarkshire followed by a 40-year spell in Lanark, I now reside in Ayr with my wife of 55 years. When I’m not writing or playing golf, I try miserably to play banjo, guitar, harmonica, and penny whistle at informal jams with my son.

I failed in my early attempts at being a top cyclist and footballer with Heart of Midlothian, so turned my attention to the game of golf. Fifty-odd years later, golf is my passion and the thing that makes me tick.

Affectionally known as Hickory Harry, I would love to have reached professional status, but alas, was lacking in sufficient talent, although, I did achieve a scratch handicap which I retained for several years.

Apart from being a history enthusiast, I have tried my hand at almost every aspect in the game of golf, from working at all the major tournaments – including the Ryder Cup – to serving on various committees. In the past, I have enjoyed the roles of qualified coach, rules referee, club captain, club secretary, junior convenor, and sports council golf co-ordinator.

I also featured in shows with the trick golfer, Noel Hunt, as his assistant, helped with the organisation of the first five Scottish Golf Shows, and have written four golf club centenary books, as well as my own book, Forgotten Greens. Basically, if it has anything to do with golf, I’ll have a bash at it!

This included helping my late brother, Alfie, to re-construct the old Arbory Brae Golf Course at Abington, a four-year titanic struggle which ended in disappointment. So much so, that Alfie wrote a book on the experience called Fairways, What Fairways?

My latest projects include a book on the forgotten years of Leith Links which will be published in St Andrews next year, and the research of Belleisle Golf Club in preparation for their approaching centenary in 2028. In fact, I would like to take this opportunity to ask the readers of Ayrshire Magazine if they have any information or old photographs of Belleisle. If so, please get in touch by emailing golfhistorian@gmail.com.

I’m not a professional writer or journalist but have been asked on many occasions to write articles on golf history, including for the New York Post and other national newspapers both in Scotland and abroad. As I said earlier, if it has anything to do with golf, I’ll have a bash at it, and if they don’t like it, they can always edit it!

The website, www.forgottengreens.com, is an ongoing project which has attracted over 400,000 visitors. Please feel free to add to that number!