When the Romans occupied parts of Scotland they built the Antonine Wall some 1300 yards to the South of the current course. At that time a fortified settlement was constructed in the south western corner of the course (See Figure 2) - the area used now as our 9 hole, Antonine Course and became part of the Roman Military Way, as shown on General Roy’s Map (Figure 1). Whilst the true origins of golf is lost in antiquity, historians are inclined to credit the game as we know it to Scotland. There is plenty of evidence that the principle of golf may have originated elsewhere. The Romans, for instance, are said to have played a game called PAGANCIA - described as a game played with a wooden club and a ball stuffed with feathers.
It is possible that our Roman guests played the game around our Course!
The Military Way itself is traceable to STIRLING and across the FORTH to ARDOCH, which lies 20 miles, or 2 easy marches, to the north. General Roy’s map also shows the Roman Station of Camelon to be on the edge of a plateau some 50 to 60 feet above what was the bed of the River Carron. The River Carron used to run across the course, coming onto the course about the present 16th green and flowed over the area to the front of the present clubhouse.
