A CENTURY of golf has been celebrated this year at Longniddry Golf Club.

Members at the Harry Colt-designed course, opened in 1921, toasted the milestone with a series of events and hosted prestigious tournaments such as The Scottish Girls Open Championships and The Pro Dream USA Junior Open.

John McDougall, past captain, said: “At 100 years old, Longniddry is a short course, 6,271 yards, and a bit unique with no par 5s on the men’s card.

“However, throughout its 100 years, it has continued to provide a tough test of golf.

“Back in the 1970s, after winning the British Seniors Championship, the great Irish golfer Christy O’Conner commented that although there were no par 5s, there were a lot of very good four and seven-eighths.

“A further 46 years on and with significant changes in golf technology, Longniddry continues to hold its own as a test of our wonderful native game.

“As a past captain and member for over 50 years, I am always amazed and encouraged by the life and enthusiasm that continues to exist within the club.

“Congratulations, Longniddry Golf Club, on reaching this magnificent milestone.”

To mark the milestone year, the club scheduled a series of events which, despite the uncertainties created by the Covid-19 pandemic, have been a huge success.

The first event was the Loch Lomond Whiskies Centenary Medal, which was supported by more than 150 members.

In early July, a celebratory stableford, open to all members, with prizes presented to ladies, men and juniors and the overall winner receiving the Centenary Cup, was held.

The following month, an inter-club competition was held between Longniddry, Thornton and Gatehouse Golf Clubs, also in their centenary years, and most recently the club hosted a shotgun event against another 100-year-old club, Northcliffe.

The Shipley-based club brought more than 30 players more than 200 miles north to compete, enjoy the hospitality in the clubhouse and then play again the next morning before heading home.

The club is closing the year with celebratory social events.

Current captain John Cummings described it as “an absolute pleasure” to represent the club in its centenary year.

He said: “Although we have been curtailed on many fronts in attempting to hold all the events we wanted to hold because of Covid, we were lucky to hold a tremendous day at Longniddry with other clubs who were also celebrating their centenary year – Gatehouse of Fleet and Northcliffe from Yorkshire.

“The celebrations started earlier that same month as we were guests of another centenary club, Thornton Golf Club in Fife, and with the participation of Gatehouse and Northcliffe as well, another fun day was enjoyed.

“Roll on the rematches!”