Museum Lecture - Graham Johnston - "Spreading the Word"

Graham Johnston narrates the early history of golf in Earlsferry in Fife. The prolonged court action which resulted in a legal right to golf on the Earlsferry golfing course. How the young men of Earlsferry made golf their own in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries when through lack of employment opportunities at home they travelled usually on hope rather than anticipation across the Atlantic to seek employment as golf professionals and pioneer the game in America. With other Scots from North Berwick, St. Andrews and Carnoustie it became essential for any fledging golf course in America to have one of these Scots to layout the course, make and sell golf clubs, teach the game and compete in competitions. The development of the game and its popularity enabled these young men to earn a very good living as professional golfers, a tradition which carried on through the years. He will also look at bit more in depth into some of their lives and heritage.

Graham Johnston is a lawyer by background and spent 25 years as a Scottish Sheriff (judge) in Glasgow Sheriff Court. He started golf aged 3, represented Oxford University in two matches against Cambridge and was a member of a number of clubs before retiring from the game. He extensively researched the history of golf in Elie and Earlsferry. He is the author of Earlsferry and Elie - a Scottish Golf Heritage.

Doors will open from 6.30pm and the lecture will begin at 7pm. There will be refreshments available upon arrival. If you have any questions please contact Learning & Access Curator [email protected]