The ClubRoman HistoryFormation of the clubEarly YearsPost War YearsAchievements |
An early history of the club details its formation and the initial layout of the course:
Instituted no further back than 1922, the Falkirk Golf Club, cannot claim to be numbered with the oldest of Scottish clubs, but if its history lacks in antiquity, it has a compensating feature in a story of rapid progress and development. The club itself may be young, but by the people of Falkirk the game of golf has long been practised. Just how many years it is since the game was first introduced to the town it is impossible to say with any degree of accuracy, but it is on record that in 1639, close on 300 years ago now, at least one resident was in the possession of a "golfe-clube" which he put to another use than that of striking a ball, and for which he had to appear before the Regality Court of Falkirk. The indictment against the individual was in the following terms :- "8th February, 1639.-- And anent the complaint gevine in be the said John Gairdner against the said Alexander Levingstoune for stryking of him with ane staffe or golfe clube and blooding of him thairwith upon the face to the effusioune of his bloode upon the 2 day of February instant within the burgh of Falkirk. Compeirit the said defender and confessit the said nobill lord his will thairfor.” Jast as one swallow does not make a summer neither can it be held to be proved conclusively that, because Alexander Levingstoune had possession of a “golfe clube”. Golf was played in Falkirk in 1639, but, as the game was a popular one shortly after the Reformation, being part of the athletic exercises practised at Scottish parochial schools and colleges, it is reasonable to conclude that Falkirk “bairns” of these times indulged in the pastime. |