The Jubilee Book, the history of the Club, records that Kilmarnock men played golf at Troon in the 1870’s and 1880’s. But in the year before production of the first car in Europe (Karl Benz in 1888), the distance to Troon and Gailes was deemed too long for the golfing men of Kilmarnock. Accordingly 14 men met in the George Hotel in Kilmarnock and formed the Club on 25th November 1887. The course was initially at Holmes Farm in Kilmarnock, but this only provided 9 holes and on 26th September 1894 new land was secured at the present site at Barassie, adjacent to the railway lines, thus facilitating access by train. You can read more about the history of the club in the Jubilee Book.

Over the long history of the golf club, Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club has played host to a wide variety of amateur and professional events. It has proved to be a test of the very best golfers and many famous names have walked the links.

Recent Events

– 2017 Final Qualifying for 2017 Scottish Open Championship
– 2012 Final Qualifying for 2012 Senior Open Championship
– 2012 Scottish Amateur Strokeplay Championship
– 2010 Boys Amateur Championship
– 2009 Final Qualifying for the Open Championship
– 2007 Scottish Ladies Amateur Championship
– 2003 Final Qualifying for Senior Open Championship
– 2001 Ladies Amateur Championship
– 2001 Final Qualifying for Amateur Championship
– 2000 European Youth Championship

Barassie and the Boys’ Championship

Barassie has a long association with the Boys’ Championship, having hosted the event six times. Winners at Barassie have been;

1948 – J D Pritchett
1955 – S C Wilson
1971 – Howard Clark
1979 – Ronan Rafferty
1987 – C O’Carroll
2010 – Adrian Otaegui

One of the framed image sets is taken from this great wee book. Published in 1937 to celebrate the first fifty years with a Gold Foil cover by The Standard Press in Kilmarnock the photos were provided by Hector Macdonald whose family until quite recently still had a shop in Bank Street, Kilmarnock.

The understated nature of the introduction is wonderful and given what was to ensue in the following years it certainly represents more than just a snapshot in history.

“This Jubilee brochure, designed for private circulation among the members of Kilmarnock (Barassie) Golf Club, has been prepared and is issued by authority of the committee, in the belief that members may appreciate a souvenir of an interesting occasion in the history of the club.”

Download a copy of the Barassie Jubilee book to print as a PDF to be read in the traditional manner on paper!

We hope you enjoy it as much as we have.