Before any organised playing of golf in Dornoch the town’s links were also used by local people for grazing cattle, drying clothes and practising archery.
Written accounts from 1616 show that a local schoolboy – John, the 13th Earl of Sutherland – spent £10 on bows and arrows, golf clubs and balls.
His guardian, Sir Robert Gordon, gave a famous description of Dornoch links in 1628. It read: “About this town along the sea coast are the fairest and largest links or green fields of any part of Scotland, fitt for archery, golfing, ryding and all other exercises, they doe surpass the fields of Montrose or St Andrews.”
Royal Dornoch Golf Club was founded in the late 19th Century as a private members Club, and was given the Royal title by King Edward VII in 1906. The club boasts a Championship course as well as a second 18-hole course, the Struie. Over the years the Club has played host to many events such as the Northern Open, the Scottish Ladies, and the Scottish Professional and Scottish Amateur Championships. The Club is situated in the town of Dornoch, 45 miles from the gateway to the Highlands, Inverness and its airport.
Royal Dornoch’s Championship course was ranked No.6 in the world by Golf Digest 2014. Royal Dornoch Struie Course ranked No.50 in UK & Ireland by Golf Digest 2011
To continue the build up to the celebration of 400 years of Golf in Dornoch, Royal Dornoch Golf Club is launching an exclusive Tartan range. Inspired by the world class courses and surrounding landscape, the original pattern was created by Frasier Waters (12) at Dornoch Academy, in 2012.
Since the initial design, the Club have worked hard with textile specialists, clothing designers and world recognised brands, including Lochcarron, Donald Ross Sportswear and Tain Pottery, to ensure the heritage and provenance of the world renowned club is woven into every item of the unique tartan. It is clear that they have taken as much pride in every product that incorporates the Royal Dornoch Tartan as they do with every hole, green and fairway on the Championship course.
The President of Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Dennis Bethune, said: “We are all looking forward to the celebrations in 2016 and with the new Royal Dornoch Tartan range I’m sure we will all cut a dash at the many events we are looking forward to hosting.”
All the present range of Royal Dornoch Tartan clothes and gifts are embroidered with the 400 year logo to add an extra exclusivity and unique appeal to the range. Royal Dornoch will expand the range over the year to incorporate an appealing and wide selection of golf and gift wear.
Rob Stein, CEO and President of Donald Ross Sportswear comments: “It has been a great pleasure working with Royal Dornoch to develop the Royal Dornoch Tartan Sportswear, the synergy and connection between the club and ourselves has been superb. Our clothing and reputation is based on style, performance and reputation,
“Dornoch born golf course architect, Donald J. Ross, had a recognizable style and assurance about himself that we believe we have captured, and with this new tartan range, if he was around today he would definitely be seen on the course and around the town in the Royal Dornoch Tartan golf wear.”
Royal Dornoch Tartan products are now exclusively available online and in the Club shop – http://www.royaldornochtartan.com/
“The site, products and shipping are all handled personally by Royal Dornoch Golf Club, ensuring the same level of customer services and care is made for each purchase, as you would expect when visiting the club,” said Neil D. Hampton, General Manager. “Offering worldwide shipping the Royal Dornoch Tartan is available to all our visitors and those who wish to celebrate a connection with the Club across the globe.”
Royal Dornoch Golf Club www.royaldornoch.com
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