The History of Newbiggin Golf Club

Photo of old club house - Click for larger view

Newbiggin's history can be traced back many, many years to when King John in 1204 granted royal rights over the village to Hugh de Baliol who at that time was joint regent of Scotland. Since 1730 the Freeholders of Newbiggin have held rights over the moor and can trace their own existence back to 1235.

Newbiggin as a Golf Club was founded in 1884 when a group of local business men suggested to the freeholders that the Newbiggin moor should be used to play the game of golf. The Golf Club has now been a tenant to the freeholders for well over 120 years.

In the Spring of each year an annual ritual takes place. This covers any new members joining the freeholders through gaining ownership of a STINT or a part thereof on the Moor. A STINT relates to the ownership of grazing rights over an area of land. New entrants are welcomed into the Freeholders organisation through the enactment of an ancient ritual known as "Dunting". These new members are raised and lowered a number of times over a special dunting stone situated on the 8th Fairway of the golf course. This is followed by the freeholders riding on horseback around the bounds of their territory to highlight to the public their title and ownership of the moor. This is an entertaining sight highly recommended to visitors.

The original club house of wood construction was burnt down in 1921 and unfortunately all the golf clubs records were destroyed.

Photo of club golfers 1915 - Click for larger view

A replacement wooden club house was built upon the same site comprising of a bar, lounge and games room. However, tragedy struck again for a second time when fire once again destroyed the building in 1971.

The present brick construction was erected in 1973/74 and forms the basis of what we see today. It is a very impressive building which provides excellent facilities from which to promote and play golf on an excellent and challenging course. The Club will celebrate its 125th year during the 2009 season.