Club Archivist Harry MacAnespie has kindly produced this note on one of the  long term family connections at Douglas Park. 

The Family of Adams at the Douglas Park Golf Club.

This was a notable golfing family in Douglas Park Golf Club over a period of many years from 1910 until possibly the 1960s.  David Adams Snr. was a professional golfer and clubmaker and owned a successful sports shop in Royal Exchange Square in Glasgow.  He provided professional golf services to Riddrie Golf Club in the east end ofGlasgowfrom 1899 till 1910 and to Douglas Park Golf Club from 1910 till 1938.

There were three sons – David Jnr., Jimmy, and Herbert.  Jimmy was apparently the most successful player, winning the Club Championship at Douglas Park on no less than seven occasions:-  1929, 1931, 1934, 1937, 1938, 1946, and 1948.  In the early 1950s he was also in a three way tie for the Dunbartonshire County Championship over 36 holes, played at Douglas Park.  He tied with John W. Mill and Dr. Tom Gordon, both of whom were also members of Douglas Park.  The play-off the following week over 18 holes was won by John W. Mill so Jimmy was unfortunately not crowned champion on that occasion.  Jimmy is remembered as a tall slim, bespectacled man with a lazy, repetitive swing which was very effective as his record bears out.  He not only had abundant talent as a golfer but was also an accomplished and successful badminton player who representedScotlandin international badminton matches on 16 occasions from 1933 to 1949.

David Snr. and his sons were invaluable to the club providing golf services and sports equipment to the members from their sports shop.  This would appear to have been a part time service to the Club, and the arrangement came to an end when a full time professional was appointed in 1938, namely James Kilroy, who before obtaining the post at Douglas Park was Assistant to Willie Spark at Lanark Golf Club.  Jimmy Kilroy was killed in WW2 in 1945 whilst on active service with the RAF inItaly.

David Snr. was a respected Scottish golf professional and clubmaker whose career spanned the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries and who had a very happy association with Douglas Park for a period of 28 years.  He was made an honorary member of the Club in 1931.  He died in 1945.

Herbert was killed in 1941 on active service with the RAF inNorth Africain WW2.  As a Club, we have very little knowledge of Herbert and his time at Douglas Park.  He is commemorated on the War Memorial Plaque in the clubhouse as are James Kilroy and others. 

 H. MacAnespie 

 Archivist

Douglas Park Golf Club

30^th November 2012