Baberton Golf Club

Baberton Golf Club lies on the southwestern edge of Edinburgh, immediately to the west of Baberton and the northwest of Juniper Green. The club laid out their course on gently undulating terrain in 1893 with the help of Willie Park (1864 - 1925). They had taken a lease on a 16.1 ha (40 acre) field known as High Park, which formed part of the Baberton Estate, from Sir James Gibson Craig of Riccarton (1841 - 1908), who was also an enthusiastic golfer. They were soon able to expand their lease to encompass 30.4 ha (75 acres) and an extended 18-hole course opened in 1894. Success brought the need to expand and further land was leased in 1911. The club was finally able to buy the land in 1926 and immediately brought in James Braid (1870 - 1950) to redesign the course. Yet more land was acquired in 1936 and 1952, and minor changes were made to the course, which now extends to 6016 yards with a par of 70. The course reaches 130m (427 feet) in height and offers fine views in all directions. A substantial new white-rendered clubhouse opened in 2013 at the end of Baberton Avenue.

During the First World War, the club allowed officers and non-commissioned officers of the 3rd Battalion of Highland Light Infantry to play free-of-charge. To show their gratitude, the battalion presented the Club with the Highland Light Infantry Cup, which is still competed for today. The war poets Siegfried Sassoon (1886 - 1967), Wilfred Owen (1893 - 1918) and Robert Graves (1895 - 1985) are known to have met here on the 13th October 1917. The latter was visiting Owen and Sassoon who were convalescing at Craiglockhart War Hospital in Edinburgh, and the event is now commemorated by a plaque in the clubhouse. During the Second World War, part of the course was given over growing food.


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