Founding Fathers of American Golf
The Apple Tree Gang was formed in February 1888 by two Scotsmen who brought golf club to Yonkers, New York, the foundation of Saint Andrew’s Golf Club, the first permanent golf club in the U.S.A.
“When I first visited Dunfermline Golf Club, I was perplexed. It’s one of the better clubs near Dunfermline but... more importantly, it is the source, the very scion of American golf!
And nobody seemed to give a damn! ”
Why were they not shouting this from the castellated rooftops of their 15th-century clubhouse? Why weren’t there flags flying high to say, “We are the champions! We started golf in the good old US of A"? Why were there not queues of American tour buses coming to pay homage to their founding golf club and gaup at this amazing clubhouse?
The beautiful parkland course is looked upon by a 15th century tower
“Over consecutive visits, my fascination - and frustration grew!”
I was commissioned by the club to do course photography and produce a marketing video. Despite such marketing initiatives, I could not help but berate the secretary at the time to share the club’s remarkable story with the world!
My vision was of tour buses packed with American golfers coming to pay homage to the little Scottish club whose members first planted, like Alan Shepard on the moon, a golf flag on American soil!
The idea went to the committee! Nothing happened! It went on to the local tourist board. Nothing happened! It was even mentioned to Fife Enterprise. Zero! Fifers can be a suspicious lot! They were no doubt worried there would be costs involved!
STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
The Wardlaw family installed imported Flemish stained glass as a status symbol and a mark of continental taste, all the rage in those days!
BLOWN AWAY
Meanwhile, back in the clubhouse, I recall initially being shown around by Bob De Rose, the then club secretary. The main members’ area, bar and dining room were a modern addition to the 15th-century tower, late 1960s by the looks of it and a veritable ‘carbuncle’, as Prince (now King) Charles might say, as per the proposed extension to the National Gallery.
We ascended the winding staircase, the castle’s 3-foot thick walls illuminated by colourful Flemish stained glass windows framed with dark, intricately carved oak panels.
“Bob was giving me the details…”
The castle’s origins dated back to 1631 when Sir Henry Wardlaw, a wealthy laird was making a pile via strong trading ties with Flanders (modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands). To help raise his status in the community.
Step into the main dining room and prepare to be gobsmacked.
The staircase was impressive but stepping into the dining room truly blew me away. This place is unbelievable. ornate plaster ceiling its medieval woodwork, Flemish stained glass and ornate plaster ceiling in the dining room.
I’m not sure if Bob told me this! Someone did! The oak panels came from nearby Dunfermline Palace and were ‘secreted’ away here to avoid destruction bty Cromwell’s invading army back in the
I was struck dumb again: oak panelling, rich with history… and, amusingly, a set of Sony speakers perched atop a cabinet, and below them, half-used bottles of ketchup and mayo. A perfect blend of ancient grandeur and modern Scottish pragmatism. The place was breathtaking.
ornate plaster ceiling its medieval woodwork, Flemish stained glass and ornate plaster ceiling in the dining room.
And its story, even more so.
FOUNDING FATHERS
It was from Dunfermline Golf Club that two of its members — John Reid and Robert Lockhart — set sail for America in the late 19th century. Passionate golfers, they later ordered clubs and balls from St Andrews, shipped via Dundee, where local craftsmen were producing the textile products that Reid and Lockhart were selling.
And here near Yonkers, they laid out the first makeshift course in a pasture, America’s very first golf club. They hung their coats, flasks, and clubs on an old apple tree.
THE APPLE TREE GANG
From that humble beginning, the group evolved into St. Andrew’s Golf Club, formally founded in 1888, now recognised as the oldest continuously operating golf club in the United States.
Over time, they moved to Hastings-on-Hudson, but the legacy of The Apple Tree Gang and the Scottish roots from Dunfermline remain at the heart of the club’s identity.
Dunfermline Golf Club isn’t just a course. It’s a place of pilgrimage — the very roots of American golf.
