The Club has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments, including the Scottish Amateur Championship, the 1972 Curtis Cup, the 1964 PGA Championship, and in 2007 was host to the European Men’ s Amateur Team Championship. The course is used for final qualifying when the Open is played at Turnberry or Royal Troon, and also as a final qualifying venue for the Seniors Open.
Like all Scottish links style courses, the weather plays an important part in a round of golf. When the wind blows from the southwest, the long stretch between the 6th and 13th holes is not only a trial of skill and strength but also somewhat of an endurance test. One of the clubs most famous members, Lord Brabazon, once said:“ If you have the time, play just three golf courses- Western Gailes, Prestwick and Turnberry“.
Members today remain thankful for the foresight shown by the Club’ s original founders; Johnstone, Lang, Lindsay and McCulloch. All members of golf clubs in Glasgow in 1897 they had a vision to create a golf course on the Ayrshire coast away from the industrial fog of the city, and largely free from the winter frost that would allow golf all year round.
Founded in 1897, the first nine holes were ready for play by the spring of 1898 with the second following on by May of that year.
Within the first year a two-storeyed temporary clubhouse had also been erected. The first permanent structure was built in 1909 with major alterations were made in 1934 and the dining room extension added in 1961. A new entrance was built in the mid 1990s and has been extensively refurbished over the last few years with the most recent development the addition of a golf shop.
The railway has been a very significant part of Western Gailes history. The train allowed the members from Glasgow easy access to the Ayrshire coast, making the development of Western Gailes possible. A station was built at the club with it being the way most members travelled to the club until the 1950s. The last train left Gailes station on Hogmanay 1966. The railway remains a major feature of the course as you head back from the 14th homewards.
There have been many memorable events at Western through the Club’ s history, many of which are deep-rooted in the folklore of the Club as detailed below.
Like all Scottish links style courses, the weather plays an important part in a round of golf. When the wind blows from the southwest, the long stretch between the 6th and 13th holes is not only a trial of skill and strength but also somewhat of an endurance test. One of the clubs most famous members, Lord Brabazon, once said:“ If you have the time, play just three golf courses- Western Gailes, Prestwick and Turnberry“.
David Livingstone from Sky Sports, also adds high praise;“ If you enjoy the challenge of links golf, Western Gailes will test your skills to the limit. Regarded by many as the hidden gem of Scottish links, it is a course that we believe should be in every golfer’ s“ must-play” list”.
When it comes to golfing in the West coast of Scotland, there is no doubt that Western Gailes Golf Club should be on your golfing itinerary.
www. westerngailes. com /
70 Destination Golf. TRAVEL