A few weeks ago I created a thread asking if anyone knew anything about George Duncan and his connection to Royal Dornoch. It has been widely reported (see Rich Goodale's Evolution of Royal Dornoch under 'My opinion') that Duncan was responsible for the changes after WWII that elevated Dornoch to one the great courses of the world. Although a relatively well known golfer, Duncan was not known for golf design activities and I was curious as to why he was chosen. And how someone with his limited design experience and a frankly disappointing resume could possibly produce such wonderful results.
In an attempt to solve the mystery I first picked up Duncan's autobiography 'Golf at the Gallop' (written in 1951), to see if it might reveal any clues. Although it was an interesting account of the man - the title refers to Duncan's frightenly fast method of play - it did not reveal anything on his design career. The only mention of any design activity was a brief comment of Mere where he eventually became the professional, but not a single word of Dornoch.
I then went to the club itself and with assistance of the archivist Tom Tew and the Secreatary John Duncan, a picture emerged that made more sense. As Rich points out in his essay during WWII the Royal Air Force had requisitioned land to make way for an airstrip. Following the war the club decided to create six completely new holes (to replace those destroyed by the airfield) as opposed to resurecting what had been lost. Evindently what is now the 18th was formerly the 12th and play used to continue on six holes which today constitute the little Struie course. Among the consequences of thess changes would be a considerable stiffening of Dornoch's heretofore weak finish.
Having received permission from the Members to explore
the extension of the course, plans were submitted by the Head Green Keeper Robbie Grant and were broadly accepted. According to Tew it was the practice in those days to have any major plans rubber-stamped by a reputable professional. George Duncan, the former Open Champion, was approached. He accepted the offer and copies of the new extension were sent for his review prior to arrival. After arriving at Dornoch, Duncan, Grant & the club profesional Danny McCulloch walked the holes discussing the location of tees, bunkers and greens. There is some debate as to the enthusiasm of George Duncan and those at the club can only guess as to what this can be attributed. According to the archivist it may have been "possibly the very poor ground
available (an ancient raised beach head) or the forthright
attitude of Robbie Grant - a 'no messing' character
probably with local knowledge and set ideas." Whatever his problem was, George Duncan did not dwell at Dornoch for too long, took his fee, galloped away and never returned.
The actual work was carried out by John R. Stutt, long time associate of James Braid. Stutt is one of the more anonymous talents of that era and has been credited for a great deal of Braid's success. At this time he was working in conjunction with MacKenzie Ross and Colt's partner John Morrrison. He had just completed the reclamation work at Turnberry, which had also been used during the war as an airfield. So it appears that Grant and Stutt may deserve a little more of the credit and perhaps Duncan a little less.