'Portobello Ladies' - the ladies' section of Portobello Golf Club - was formed on 2nd May 1893, with an annual subscription of 2/6 per annum, or a family ticket for 6 shillings.

30 players took part in the first competition on 19 May 1893, resulting in scores not too dissimilar from ours today. The first trophy to be presented was the Masonic Medal, which was played for on 20th June. Committee meetings in the early days were held either in the Shelter in the Public Park or the Music Saloon, Portobello and later at 6 John Street.

On 14th February 1901 a dance in connection with Portobello Ladies Golf Club was held in the Queens Bay Hotel. 'The large diningroom was used as the dancing hall, and was tastefully decorated with golf clubs and other emblems and cut flowers' (Advertiser, 15th February 1901) and about 24 couples attended.

In 1901 an annual match with Musselburgh Ladies Golf Club was instituted, for the Munro Ferguson Challenge Bowl, to be played at different golf courses in the area; the first match was on Gullane golf course and was won by Portobello Ladies, by 30 holes. Other matches were played against Craigmillar Park Ladies, Glencorse Ladies, Murrayfield Ladies and Burntisland Ladies, and mixed foursomes were played against Musselburgh.

The Club was admitted to the Ladies Golf Union in 1902 and in 1911 a new Clubhouse was opened. The ladies raised funds for blankets, vests and jerseys to be sent to the troops in the First World War and no golf was played during the years 1917-18.

Again in 1940 the Club went into abeyance and the course was used for crops, until 1952, when the first committee meeting took place on 25 August. 50 members were enrolled. In 1963 Mrs E Manson became Captain, in 1965 Mrs Innes (still honorary members today).

In 1972 Windsor Place Church was united with Portobello Old Church, and since their golf club was disbanded they presented their trophies to Portobello Ladies. 1993 saw our centenary year celebrated with a Centenary Dinner, an outing to Crieff and a free raffle for Nick Faldo's bottle of whisky (donated to every Club after winning the Open).

In its 113th year, 'Portobello Ladies' is proud of its history and its place among the oldest-established ladies' golf clubs of the UK. We look forward to being permitted to play on our historic course for a long time to come.

This news picture was taken before the members went out on the links last week for their first competition of the season. With members clustered round the table, which holds the birthday cake made for the occassion. Mrs K.W. Thomson the Captain makes the draw as the secretary Mrs R.W. Baird, holds the cards.

It was way back in 1893 when the 'Portobello Ladies' Golf Club first came into being. And now 65 years later--, which must make it one of the oldest golf clubs in the country, catering soley for women-- it still has a thriving and vigerous membership of well over 50 playing all year round.

The club during their long history have had some first class players in membership, but most outstanding was Miss Maud Titterton, whose successin the Scottish womens championship was one of many honours she collected on the links.

In the early days of the club, their competitions were decided on a six hole course located further east than the present Portobello nine hole course on ground behind Argyle Crescent. The women had to play three rounds in their eighteen hole competitions. The change was made when the present nine hole course was opened in 1911.

The club possess some beautiful and interesting trophies. When the club was formed in 1893, the Portobello Masonic Lodge agreed to present a medal for annual competition and it was to decide the destination for another year of this very same medal that the Clubs first tournament of their sixty-fifth birthday year was held last week. Other trophies followed and the principle ones are the Innes Cup, Glen Rose Bowl, Scratch Cup and Alexandra Medal.

The following are the present office bearers
President- Councillor Mrs Mathews
Captain - Mrs K.W.Thomson
Honorary Secretary - Mrs R.W.Baird
Treasurer - Mrs W.D Salmond