George Duncan

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

I've always wondered why the relatively inexperienced George Duncan was hired to redesign Dornoch. I know there a couple of new books out on Dornoch, is there any info as to why he was selected, what his connection might have been with Dorncoh or if he worked in conjunction with anyone else?

[Jim_Kennedy]

Tom,
I don't know if this is the same GD but if it is, could his playing experience have had some bearing in the choice?

http://www.meldrumhouse.co.uk/GolfClub/GeorgeDuncan.htm

[Richard_Goodale]

Thanks Jim!

As a longtime admirer of Duncan's work at Dornoch I am now ready to propose him for beatification given the title of his autobiography ("Golf at the Gallop") and that picture of him highlighting an absolutely incredible finish which accompanies the little piece that you referenced.

[Jim_Kennedy]

Rich,
Pretty amazing Bio. I had to go look him up in C&W after reading it, and Tom's post. They do not list the 9 hole St. Mary course he built on the Isle of Man, and I wonder how many others?  

[Jim_Kennedy]

Tom,
Another little tidbit:
"George Duncan (Open Champion) was the architect for the new holes, but much advice and help was received from D.G. (Danny) McCulloch (Club Professional) and Robbie Grant (Head Greenkeeper)."  

[Richard_Goodale]

Jim and Tom

Danny McCulloch's and Robbie Grant's sons, Tommy and Dr. John (respectively) are still alive and well in Dornoch.  I'm sure either or both would accommodate you if you wanted to ask them some questions about Duncan's involvement.

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Jim
He was no doubt well respected but when one looks at the famous names associated with Dornoch he is not one that comes up, like a Wethered, Holderness, Taylor, Ross, etc. I was wondering if he had a connection to any of these men or some other connection to Dornoch.


Here is the site for Port St.Mary:   http://www.psmgolf.iofm.net/

His most famous design prior to Dornoch was Mere in 1934 with James Braid and his partner Stutt.

Rich
I would love to contact them - does either have an e-mail address?

[Richard_Goodale]

Tom

I would recommend polite snail-mailed letters c/o the club.

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

I picked up Duncan's biography at the library and he was a very interesting guy. I was surprised by the amount of time he spent in the USA. He was a great admirer NGLA, Pine Valley, Myopia Hunt and Cypress Point.

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

According to C&W Duncan was involved in the design or redesign of a six courses. He is credited with the design of Stonehaven in Scotland. The course was actually designed in 1897 most likely by Archie Simpso. Duncan took his first profesional job there in 1900 at age 17 with the help of Simpson - he was there only a short time. The other courses he is credited with designing are Hallowes, Mere and Chesterfield (Tapton Park) all near Manchester. Mere was designed by Braid and Stutt in 1934 with the input of Duncan. Duncan had been hired as the professional where he stayed for many years (in fact he was at Mere when he redesigned Dornoch). The other two courses were originally laid out in 1892 and 1897 respectfully. I haven't been able yet to pinpoint when or what his involvement was.

He is also given credit for redesigning Port St.Mary (1903) in 1936. C&W also credit him for redesign work at two courses near Leeds - Harrogate designed by Sandy Herd and redesigned by MacKenzie and Wheatly designed by MacKenzie. In 1947 he was hired to redesign Dornoch.

[Nick Leefe]

Ian Duncan, the son of George, retired some 10 years ago from The Alwoodley Golf Club in Leeds, UK, where he was the Professional.   He is still alive and well, as we still have him on our books for his Pension.

Before coming to Leeds he was the pro at Mere GC in Cheshire.

Please e-mail me if I can be of further help in putting you in touch with him directly.  

regards    Nick Leefe (Chairman of Green / Alwoodley)

[Richard_Goodale]

Tom MacW

Go for it, son!  And report back to us tout de suite!

Nick

Thank you very much, and, can I say it?  There has never been a better title than "Chairman of Green."

Cheers

Rich

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Nick
Thanks again.

Rich
One of the other mysteries regarding Duncan is why his design career seemed to have stopped with Dornoch. At what would seem to be the height of his design career, after his greatest success, one would have thought there would've been great demand for his services.

[Richard_Goodale]

Tom

Dornoch was very much a backwater in the post-war era.  Sutherland and his weekly golf column in the Times was gone, the Wethereds were gone.  Britain, too, was still in shock.  I think the fact that Dornoch (and Turnberry) actually took the time and effort to rebuild was as amazing as the fact that few if any courses did the same over the next 10-20 years.  It must have been serendipity for Duncan.....and Dornoch....

[Tom MacWood (Guest)]

Rich
Actually there were quite a few high profile courses that were restored following the war - Rye, Princes, Cinque Ports, Castletown, Dublin, Felixstowe, Berkshire, Moortown, Wimbeldon, West Surrey, Haagsche, North Berwick, Saunton, Lytham, etc.  

Colt was retired, Alison was in Africa, Braid was done, all three would die in the early 50's. MacKenzie Ross, Guy Campbell and John Morrison were about all that remained from before the war, with the exception of the mysterious John Stutt.

[Stan Dodd]

Tom,
I don't know if I would want Stanehaven on my resume