The history of Royal Dornoch
With more than 400 years of golfing history, few courses can match the mystical aura of Royal Dornoch’s Highland setting. Set on a pilgrimage-worthy slice of north-eastern Scottish coastline, this is the story of the best links in the world that will never host The Open…
Head start. The earliest written records suggest that golf has been played on the Dornoch links since as early as 1616. In his role as tutor his nephew, the Earl of Sutherland, Sir Robert Gordon claimed expenses 'for bowes, arrows, golff clubbes, and balls with necessars for his [Lordship's] exercise'.
Humble beginnings. More than 250 years later, the Dornoch Golf Club was officially founded in 1877. Initially there were just nine-holes created, but the course would soon be extended after a visit from Old Tom Morris, who was invited to lay out a further nine holes in 1886. The new course measured 5285 yards.
Young Sutherland. Having joined the club in 1881, a 19-year-old named John Sutherland was appointed secretary of the club in 1883. Over the next 20 years Sutherland would establish himself as the most influential figure in the club’s history, in various guises as greenkeeper, scratch golfer, course designer, and founder member of the Scottish golf administration. Regarded as the ‘father of golf’ at Dornoch, the 12th hole is named in his honour.
Dornoch’s famous son. The ‘Michelangelo of Golf’, whose name later became associated with over 400 courses worldwide, Donald Ross was born in the town in 1877 and later became the club’s professional, as well as ‘keeper of the greens’, in 1894. In 1899 he moved to America, landing a break as a course designer at Oakley, which impressed member James Walker Tufts so much that he invited Ross to design courses at his North Carolina resort, Pinehurst. Going on to design Oakland Hills, East Lake, Seminole and more, Ross is regarded as one of the most respected and prolific golf architects of his generation.
Carnegie Shield. One of the most instantly recognisable trophies in amateur golf, the historic Carnegie Shield has long been a magnet for golfers from across the UK and beyond. Presented to the club by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie in 1901, the club’s most prestigious trophy is still played for every August. Chris ‘Chippie’ Mailey, who claimed his seventh title in 2024, now has his sights set on the 10 Shield triumph record set by Jimmy Miller between 1965 and 1983.
Royal title. Thanks to the influence of the Duchess of Sutherland, King Edwards VII bestowed the Royal title on Dornoch in 1906. It came at an important time in the club's history, spurring further efforts to make the course of Open Championship standard by extending to 6005 yards.
Joyce Wethered. One of the leading British women’s golfers of the inter-war period, the Surrey local was a regular at Royal Dornoch in her summers as she won the British Ladies Amateur four times and the English Ladies’ Amateur Championship for five consecutive years. She also claimed the Royal Dornoch Ladies’ Silver Medal five times. Such was her talent, Bobby Jones called her the best golfer he’d ever seen, male or female.
Time for the Ladies. After recovering from their difficult financial position after the end of WWII, the Scottish Ladies Championship was played at Royal Dornoch for the first time in 1956, with Jessie Valentine winning her sixth crown. Royal Dornoch would become a regular host over the next 50 years, hosting again in 1962, 1971, 1977, 1984 and 1996.
Centennial championship. After ringing endorsements from visiting players including Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Royal Dornoch was chosen as the host of the 1985 Amateur Championship, the 100th edition, the first time the tournament was taken to the remote Scottish Highlands. Irishman Garth McGimpsey took the win with an 8&7 win over Graham Homewood, while defending champion José María Olazábal had his title hopes scourged by high winds and an opening round of 86.
Open and shut. Despite being revered around the world as one of the top 20 courses anywhere, and with a history that rivals the most prestigious venues, Royal Dornoch has yet to host any modern professional tournaments, most notably the Open Championship. It might seem obvious that this Old Tom Morris gem ought to one day welcome the best golfers on the planet, the stunning isolated Highland location that is its greatest strength has also been its downfall.