1908

The first recorded meeting relating to Craigie Hill Golf Club was convened by a group of local dignitaries, business men and land owners.

Lord Provost Cuthbert presided and there was a large and representative attendance of city golfers.

The meeting heard from Mr. Robert Kinloch W.S. that the North Inch was not up to modern requirements as it was closed from May to September each year.  The course was not under proper control and was open to any unsportsmanlike golfer who disregarded the rules of the game.

The Island Course had been started by the King James VI Club but the access was bad and the course was rather monotonous and tiring.  In addition it was low lying and at times not very salubrious.

The promoters believed the proposed course was an ideal one for scenery and rustic beauty as well as for sport and they had received a favourable report as to its construction from Mr. Fernie from Troon.

Mr. H.T. Henderson moved that the following committee be appointed with the power to add to their number; Lord Provost Cuthbert, The Earl of Kinnoull, Ex Baillie Hardie, J. Hill-Thomas, James Robertson, H.J. Bell, P.P. Buick, W.S., Joe Anderson, James A. Rollo, John Moncreiffe, J.T. Farquharson, R. Kinloch and H.T. Henderson.

Mr. Henderson spoke strongly in favour of the proposal urging amongst other reasons that the course was an ideal one, would be easily made, was most accessible and would meet the requirements of present and prospective golfers for many years to come. Mr. C.A. Sellar seconded and the motion was agreed to unanimously.

1909

Craigie Hill Golf Club Limited was registered with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies on 28th July 1909, certificate reference 7238.

The first meeting of the Directors of the Club took place on 6th September 1909 at 52 Tay Street Perth.

Present:
Earl of Mansfield
Sir Robert D. Moncreiffe
Mr. P.R. Buick
Mr. John Campbell
Mr. Robert Kinloch
Mr. John Moncreiffe
Mr. F.H. Hole

Also attending: Mr. J. Hill Thomas, Solicitor, Perth, whose firm of Messrs Thomas & McLeish, Solicitors, Perth, has carried through the preliminary negotiations in connection with the flotation of the company.

Apologies:  Apologies for absence were intimated from Lord Kinnoull, Lord Provost Cuthbert, Mr. Norie-Miller and Mr. R.D. Pullar.

Lord Kinnoull was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. J. Hill-Thomas as Secretary.

Agreement was reached after strenuous negotiations with Sir Robert Moncreiffe for the lease of 75 acres of woodland at a feu of £150.  An additional six acres to the south west of Craigie Hill was rented from Mr. John Eraser at£14 per annum.

The Club took possession of the land on 1st October 1909 with Mr. H.J. Bell C.E. being given the task of preparing plans.  Mr. W. Fernie was appointed Head Greenkeeper with responsibility for laying out the new course.

Mr. Brown negotiated a one year contract at a weekly wage of £1:4:0. In addition 5/- was allowed for lodgings until suitable accommodation was found and the maximum of £3 for removing his furniture etc from Troon to Perth.

Construction of the course began in early October and the first major commitment was acceptance of the quotation from D. & R. Taylor to remove trees, scrub etc at a cost of £130.

The financial state of the Company was becoming established and in December the subscriptions from shares exceeded expenditure by £1633.
 
Considerable controversy existed regarding an alleged 'Right Of Way' at Buckle Braes.  The Club originally did not accept such an arrangement existed but considerable representation from the residents of Cherrybank, assisted by the local press, led to the Club agreeing to the lease of land to the Town Council at £1 per annum.

1910

After a considerable debate the Board of Directors decided not to proceed with the appointment of a Professional and Club Maker meantime.

With the construction of the course progressing at a satisfactory rate the Board decided to purchase an Iron Hall from Strathallan Estate as a temporary Club House.  The cost including dismantling, transportation and assembly was £160.

Considerable progress had been made in the construction of the course and by September, twelve months after a start had been made, 14 holes were ready to play.   Shareholders and friends were allowed to play the shortened course free of charge.

At the Club's first Annual General Meeting on 22nd December 1910, the Balance Sheet showed a sum of £321. 5/3. on hand as against liabilities of £162.12/9. However the surplus would be required to meet the costs of providing lavatory and service accommodation for the Club House, Surveyors and Architects fees. The Auditor's fee was fixed at £1.1/-.

1911

Members of the local Artisan Club requested they be allowed a reduced subscription but this was rejected by the Board of Directors.

The course was officially opened by Mr. Francis Norie-Miller on Saturday 10th June.  Mr. H.J. Bell, Captain of the Club, presented Mr. Norie-Miller with a club with which to drive the first ball.

Mr. Norie Miller drove the first ball - a nice straight drive of good length and as the ball rose nicely over the ridge he was warmly applauded.

Mr. Joe Anderson afterwards engaged in an exhibition match, the opposition being provided by Mr. D.M. Cuthbert of King James VI Club and Captain Bell.   Playing the best ball, Mr. Anderson displayed fine steadiness and holed out in 79 winning an interesting match by 2 holes.

A request for an additional £350 from Shareholders to complete and equip the course was only partly successful with a short fall of £144.

The Board considered a complaint from members that young men had been found on the course playing football and putting the shot on the greens.

With the course now fully operational the Club recruited a Stewardess at a salary of £30.   The luxury of a telephone was requested, by members and this was duly installed.  Payment of each call had to be made to the Stewardess.

The financial state of the company at 31st December was not particularly healthy and it was agreed to arrange for an overdraft facility of £100 from the Clydesdale Bank.