1815 Kingsbarns

Golf was resuscitated at Kingsbarns on 17th July 2000, after an absence of just over half a century. The new course is believed to be on the site of the old Cambo Links, which can be dated to at least 1815.

The Kingsbarns Golf Club were recorded as playing on the Crail links in 1793. Later they played over a private links on the Cambo Estate, which had been bought by Thomas Erskine in 1790, the same year that he inherited the Baronetcy of Cambo to become Sir Thomas Erskine, 7th Baron of Cambo. When play started there is not certain, but they were definitely playing there from 1823, as there is a detailed newspaper report from 1823 of play on Cambo Links. 

A few years later, Sir Thomas became the ninth earl of Kellie and there is a silver cup presented to him in 1826 in gratitude for his support for the club, which states that he had given them the courtesy of his course since their inception in 1815. 

Presented by the Members of the Kingsbarns Golfing Society to the Right Honourable Thomas Ninth Earl of Kellie .. the testimony of respect for his general character as a Nobleman, Gentleman, Landlord and Neighbour and more especially in acknowledgement of and gratitude for his liberal kindness in having since the establishment of the Society in 1815 granted the use of his Links for the exercise of its Members and erected in 1826 a dining hall for their accommodation.

Based on an analysis of the winning scores for the club medals of 1840 - 1842 and the average course bogey of the time, it is likely that the Cambo Links were no more than 7 holes.  

Kingsbarns view of old course to west

It is believed that the original 19th century course was to the right of the Kingsbarns' harbour, which covers part of the present course. The Kingsbarns Links state that holes 6, 7, 16 and 17 are on the site of the old course.

The Golfer's Manual of 1857 describes the Cambo Links as 

The Links is small and of a sandy soil. The Grass grows rather coarse for the finer shots of the game, and there are few if any hazards.

This description may have been out-of-date, as the tenant farmer had ploughed up the land in 1844 and the club went into abeyance until 1922, when a new nine hole course, designed by Willie Auchterlonie, was laid out. Sadly, in the Second World War, the land was again returned to farming. Though there was a brief resumption after the war, it did not last and in 1948 play transferred to Balcomie course at Crail.

Both Kingsbarns Community history and the Kingsbarns Links information book have a map of a course showing nine holes where the present links are. The date is ascribed to 1815-1948. This course plan shows separate tees and greens, but separate tees did not exist until 1875 and this is almost certainly the layout of the 9-hole course, created by Willie Auchterlonie.

Kingsbarns Links Hole 12 par 5

Updated 22nd Feb 2025