Dunnikier Park Golf Club: Celebrating the First 50 Years

Raymie Remembers My first memory of Dunnikier was the school summer holidays in the mid 80’s playing with ‘Wanny’ (Grant Wanless, now in Australia) and ‘Smitch’ (Grant Smith, still a member).

Every day we played 18 holes in the morning, into the Club for our plate of chips and coke (diet coke for big Wanny!!), then 18 holes in the afternoon, back to Smitch’s mums for our tea, then back for 9 holes at night.

Another highlight was playing with big Ewan Wishart in a doubles tournament.

At the 12th it appeared that I was out of bounds. When we approached the general area, my ball was actually in bounds under the trees. At this point Tony Rodgers was passing on his bike. He stopped with his son and told him to pay attention as I was the only member in the Golf Club capable of playing this impossible shot from 80 yards.

I hit the shot and holed it for a 3!

There was huge excitement, myself and then Ewan made our way to the green in celebration. Ewan picked the ball out and to my horror it was not my ball, we were subsequently disqualified!!!

In 1986, I played Gregor (Goog) Morrison in the Boys’ Club Championship semi finals. I was playing off 7 in those days and Goog was the title favourite, so it was a tough match and I found myself 2 down with 2 to play.

On the 17th tee I looked at my watch and had to concede the game as I had to go for my bus back home, then in Lochgelly.

Who knows what would have happened to my career if I had continued and won the next two holes! Goog still talks about this story to this day.

I have generally seen every inch of the course, as most golfers know. A par from the path at the 7th after a block from the 10th tee is a particular highlight I remember.

One final highlight springs to mind. I was playing with Ritch Mitchell and another member last year on the 13th during a medal. Rich holed his second shot and the other two of us birdied the hole. A combined score of 8 surely has never been beaten in 50 years of competitive golf on that hole.

Raymond Johnston 44