Welcome to Harburn Golf Club

The story of Golf in the West Calder District began in 1885 when the West Calder and Addiewell Golf Club was formed on ground at Burngrange Farm by a group of local merchants. Mr. Donald McPherson, publican, was the first Captain of the Club and Mr. D. Brown the first Secretary. The ground was leased to the Club free of charge by Young's Oil Company Limited, whose Managing Director, Mr. John Fyfe, drove the first ball to inaugurate play. Play continued uninterrupted until 1928 when the Club had to vacate the course to make way for the Building of Burngrange Cottages.

Before golf was discontinued at Burngrange a Company was formed to promote the development of Harburn as a Sports Centre. In 1923 a group of professional gentlemen lead by Mr. A. Macdonald Fraser, supported by among others, Dr. H.R. Dodson and Mr. Henry Lessels registered the Harburn Golf Club Company Limited. They obtained a 21-year lease of land at the East Torphin Farm from Mr. John Storry the owner at that time and well known to West Calder folk. His nephew, Mr. Jack Storry, became proprietor of the land in 1946.

The Hardale Golf Club was officially opened on 18 July 1925 when the first ball was driven from what is now the second tee by Lord Anderson. The planning of the course was a joint effort with contributions from the directors and John Patrick, a professional golf club maker, course architect and golf teacher. George Paterson, the first greenkeeper, assisted by unskilled labour, efficiently saw theirs plans through to fruition.

There was no Clubhouse, but part of the East Torphin farmhouse with outbuildings was temporarily set aside for the benefit of the Club.

Mr. J. Storry, proprietor of the estate, donated a handsome silver trophy for Club Competitions known to this day as the Storry Cup.

The first few years saw great progress in the condition of the course, in the membership and in its popularity. Balance Sheets were satisfactory and there were a total of 146 members. A Clubhouse was built in 1927, by which time transport facilities from West Calder and Edinburgh had improved. The 15th. hole was in the same position as it is today but was at that time named "99" as that was the yardage. In 1935 the hole was increased in length and re-named "Question Mark"

By 1932 it became apparent that the Club had been over ambitious. Faced with a General Strike, loss of membership, and a succession of bad weather conditions at vital times, optimism was at its lowest ebb. A decision was therefore made to call it a day.

The inception of Harburn Golf Club coincided with the winding up meeting of the Hardale Club. A small committee was formed from among the existing Hardale members to investigate the possibility of a takeover. Weeks of feverish activity followed. Enquiries were made at Register House and favourable discussions with lawyers, trustees and the proprietor lead to a recommendation of takeover being put to a special meeting of prospective members.

The new club was formally launched at a meeting on 14 December 1932 with Mr. J.H. Hope in the chair. A committee of 12 dedicated members were elected to conduct the business of the new club, to be known as Harburn Golf Club.