Changed days at Old Musselburgh. New beginning for historic course

surroundings of the former Royal Burgess clubhouse.

The move is another step forward in the club's aim to establish a

niche befitting to its status of the world's oldest existing course and

the nursery for five early Open champions -- the two Willie Parks, Bob

Ferguson, Mungo Park, and David Brown.

For many years, the course that also staged half a dozen Open

Championships between 1874 and '89 was nothing short of a national

disgrace. American and Japanese visitors would flock to the historic

site only to be met by an embarrassing sight.

The greens were rarely cut, the rough was overgrown, and the fairways

were as likely to be used for walking dogs, a football kick-about, or a

children's play field as a golf course. And, of course, the nine holes

are surrounded by Musselburgh's flat and steeplechase racing tracks.

However, since the Musselburgh Old Golf Club was officially formed in

1980 -- a meeting was held in a local pub and medal sheets were posted

on an old starter's box -- it is slowly, but surely, that changes have

taken place.

The purchase of the premises at 10 Balcarres Road, which were used as

the Royal Burgess clubhouse from 1874 to 1895 (in recent times it was a

dentist's storeroom), is another step in the right direction.

''We managed to purchase the clubhouse through our own fund-raising

and loans from a bank and the local council,'' said Pym Williamson, the

club captain. ''The council architect has helped with drawing up the

plans and we hope to have the official opening at the start of next

season.

''There will be the usual locker rooms, dining facilities, and a bar.

We will also be mounting a display cabinet for suitable memorabilia and

hanging some old pictures.

''It really will be a tremendous lift for the club. Our present

clubhouse, which was given to us by the racecourse people, has been

falling down for years. Roof repairs have become an ongoing problem.''

The new clubhouse is not only a vast improvement, but it's own

connections also merit a place in Scottish golf history. In addition to

the Royal Burgess, Balcarres Road was also the early site of the

clubhouses of both the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (1836 to

1891) and the Bruntsfield Links (1875 to 1895).

On-course improvements, including the restoration and addition of

several bunkers, have followed in the wake of the appointment of

greenkeeping staff in 1990, while, last season, a starter was added to

the payroll.

As a result, the outdated standing in queues has been replaced with a

booking system. Incidentally, the price for visitors is #2.65 per round.

''The American and Japanese visitors idolise the place, and yet, here

in Scotland, the club has been virtually ignored by the golf buffs,''

continued Williamson, an Englishman who moved to Musselburgh just five

years ago. ''It's hard to believe. But, hopefully, over the next few

years things will continue to improve. It is certainly going the right

way.''

At present, the club has 130 members, including 25 women and around 20

from America. Another 30 or so could still be accepted.

The club is one of the few in Scotland that stages men's and women's

medals on the same day, and they take place on Saturday or Sunday

mornings.

The club has succeeded in gathering some historic trophies. Last

season, the present vice-captain, Jack Archibald, won the Musselburgh

Amateur Golf Championship Centenary trophy. The previous winner was

Willie Park in 1892.

To mark the occasion, the presentation honours were carried out by

Musselburgh-born professional Alex Hay, who is now best known for his

BBC commentating duties.

Eventually, the club would like to gain an even bigger say in matters

by leasing the course from East Lothian District. However, at the

moment, the members are just looking forward to greeting guests in

off-course surroundings unaffected by leaky roofs.