Brora Golf Club has secured the ‘milestone’ purchase of the land on which the historic links sits to help the Highland venue build for the future.
To fittingly celebrate their 130th year, the club have completed four years of work to buy the land from Sutherland Estates thanks to the support of members following an EGM and working with local organisations. Led by the commitment of club president Andy Stewart and a dedicated working group, Brora are no longer tenants on the stunning linksland – giving them greater financial security and surety of access for ever more.
The move has been achieved with the help of the Trustees of Kilbraur Windfarm, thanks to their grant of £25,000, recognising the role the club plays in bringing tourists to the village as well as being one of the largest employers. The land purchase will see the club continue to provide significant benefits to the local community, including providing employment to 20 full-time staff and looking forward to again welcoming visitors from across the world as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease.
Stewart said: “To become the owners of the land on which our golf course sits is a proud moment in the 130-year history of Brora Golf Club. It is of huge significance for the club and, to me, should be celebrated like a married couple buying their first home. Having started this work in early 2017, my eternal thanks go to Tony Gill, general manager, James Macbeath, head greenkeeper, and members Mike Mackintosh and Calum Stewart for their judgment, perseverance and tenacity which got us to this significant point. It is a real milestone, given the benefits the land purchase will allow.
“I would also like to thank the Milsom family for their agreement that partially funding the purchase was a good use of Steve Milsom’s bequest. I also thank the Trustees of Kilbraur Windfarm for their grant of £25,000 and our members who attended the recent EGM for their on-going support to achieve this.”
Mackintosh, 64, has lived in Brora all his life and been a member of the club for 50 years. For him, the land purchase is the culmination of dedicated, passionate work.
He said: “I dreamt that one day we would own the land the course sits on, but realistically never thought this day would come for financial reasons. It really is a monumental event in our history. Having been tenants for 130 years to finally owning the land feels fantastic and hopefully secures the future of golf in Brora. The club employs approximately 20 full-time staff so their future will now be assured, along with the many hospitality workers and businesses in Brora.
“The golf club brings huge benefits to the local economy and, being a native, that is very important to me. Everyone I have spoken to at the club are really excited for the future and we look forward to the benefits this will bring.”
Brora, only an hour from Inverness, boasts a proud history and enjoys a notable link with five-time Open champions – from James Braid, who redesigned the course in 1923, to honorary members Tom Watson and the late Peter Thomson.
With a par of 70, it was described by Thomson, as “one of the finest natural links courses I have had the pleasure of playing.” Thanks to a dedicated campaign in 2020 that harnessed global appeal, Brora’s financial health was secured during the pandemic.
For more information on all membership categories and visitor bookings at Brora in 2021, please contact Tony Gill, on email at: secretary@broragolf.co.uk
