Like Dornoch, the residents of Elie and Earlsferry are keen golfers with a large percentage belonging to one of three clubs which play over the Elie Links. Born in Earlsferry, it is somehow appropriate that the great James Braid was never a member of the Golf House Club nor was his father a golfer. Indeed, when Braid joined the primarily artisan Earlsferry Thistle GC at the age of 15 the GHC was less than ten years old, but still the senior club. It is telling that within one year Braid would become a scratch player despite what he describes as “nothing more or less than disgraceful” putting.
The history of Elie Links stretches back to at least 1770 and it is likely some form of the game was played as far back as 1589 when a royal charter gave permission for villagers to play over the links. There is evidence of the existence of the Earlsferry Golf Society dating back to 1787. It is likely the club dissolved when a tenant of the Laird ploughed the land for farming. When the Earlsferry & Elie GC was formed in 1831 it was after a 20 year battle with the local Laird to obtain golfing rights guaranteed by royal charter. The club didn’t have a house and instead used George Forrester’s shed (one of three club-makers in Elie with sheds) which would have been located in today’s parking lot. The Golfer’s Tavern, now called the 19th Hole, and on the left of the 4th fairway is where members took hospitality. I expect many golfers still frequent the pub!
Similar to the West Links of North Berwick, Elie grew in stages when land became available. The course on which Braid learned his trade was far different from today. By the time Braid joined the Thistle in 1891 the links was extended to 11 holes and altered to fourteen holes. Eventually, the course was extended again to 18 holes in 1895 with the help of Old Tom Morris (who else?). It is thought these four holes could be 7, 8, 9 and 17. Braid added his touches during subsequent visits and it would seem 1-3 and 18, all on the house side of Ferry Road, are the work of Braid. This then leaves the land which runs to the sea as the section of the property which would have been the links Braid knew as a boy. It is thought George Roland, father of Douglas and uncle of Old Tom, was the original designer of these holes in 1858.
A round at Elie cannot commence without mentioning or using the famous periscope. A member salvaged the periscope from the HMS Excalibur (above) when it was scrapped in 1965 after only eleven years of experimental service. The concept of high test peroxide (HTP) powered submarines proved to be a failure and when the US Navy was successful in developing a nuclear reactor suitable for submarines the HTP experiment was halted. The home of the periscope was near the first tee for many years and since 2014 it has been housed in the newly constructed professional shop. Golfers are welcome to take a peek; however, it is the pro who signals “play away” after a quick look.
The visual aid is worth while using because the first is a blind drive over a 25ish foot rise....which used to have a centreline bunker in its face. Many is the golfer who must leak a weak drive right over the ever so close boundary wall. Being the highest point of the course the second is named High Hole. This short two-shotter features a sky-line green that runs rather alarmingly away from play. Elie's par 3s couldn't be any different; one is lengthy and visually expansive and one is quite short and blind. The 214 yard third can play nearly as long as the 284 yard uphill 2nd!
A look at the green from near 18 tee.
Elie and Earlsferry are cheek by jowel towns. Below is a look at Earlsferry. The Thistle house is down the left near the 18th tee.
The land (4-17) on the other side of Ferry Road is more genuine links. The recently refurbished and golf themed 19th Hole is just past the Thistle on Links Road.
Being so near the footsteps of James Braid it is impossible to resist a short detour. If we head down Ferry and make a right, the spire of Town Hall soars above all else. The people of Earlsferry are very proud of their native son. A plaque commemorating James Braid is immediately left of the door.
Just down the road is the site of James Braid's early life home.
Heading back up Ferry we find the 4th tee on the left. Elie's start makes it an easy course to warm to, but the 4th gives me reason to believe this could be a very special course. However, recently the 4th has been shifted a bit right due to Links Road making the photo below not quite what the tee shot looks like today. The bumpy fairway is now more askew to the tee which doesn't work as well as previously.
The rumbling terrain runs through the green.
More to follow.
Ciao