Brora Golf Club

James Braid

James Braid (6 February 1870-27 November 1950) was a Scottish professional golfer, winner of 5 Opens and 4 Matchplay Championships, and a member of the Great Triumvirate with Harry Vardon and JH Taylor. He was also the first Chairman of the Professional Golfers’ Association. Even while he was winning golf tournaments, Braid turned his talents to golf course design. He originated classics such as Gleneagles and Royal Musselburgh, as well as scores of other gems such as Brora, Neath and North Hants. Others he extended or revised such as St.Enedoc, Fortrose & Rosemarkie and Carnoustie. Braid is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The Association of James Braid courses has over 300 member clubs, mostly in the British Isles. There are 101 James Braid designed courses in Scotland and 7 in the Highlands.

www.jamesbraidhighland.golf

www.thebraidsociety.com

Brora Club Development

Brora, 2nd November 1891.

On this date, a Public Meeting was held in the Upper Room of the Library Institute, for the formation of a golf club. After the chairman having stated the object of the meeting, and the matter having been fully discussed by those present, it was unanimously agreed to form the club known to all as Brora Golf Club. The membership fee was set at the modest amount of Two Shillings and Sixpence per annum. (Extract, GOLF AT THE BACK OF BEYOND by HUGH BAILLIE)

The golf course was originally 9 holes until around 1900, when it was extended to 18 holes. In 1923 James Braid, five times Open Champion and a prolific designer of golf courses, was invited to visit by the club committee. This he did in 1924 and for the princely sum of £25 plus travelling expenses, submitted plans for a redesigned 18 hole layout. This was largely implemented as he suggested, and remains mostly unchanged to this day. It remains a fair and challenging test of true links golf.

Further reading: (both available in Brora pro shop)

“Golf at the back of beyond” Hugh Baillie

“ James Braid and his Four Hundred Courses” John F. Moreton & Iain Cumming

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