Uphall Golf Club

Overview: Uphall Golf Club is at Houston Mains on the edge of Uphall village in West Lothian, close to junction 3 of the M8 and next to Houstoun House. The parkland course is fairly flat, but tight boundaries and mature trees put a premium on keeping the ball in play. It measures about 5,650 yards to a par of 69, with the 404-yard opener, Mains, usually played into the prevailing westerly wind and Binnie Craig bringing players home.

History: Golf began here in 1895 on fields known as the Burn Parks, leased from the Houston Estate for thirty pounds a year, and the first membership numbered 43. The early years were difficult, and the club revived around 1905 when Captain Cumming of Houston House halved the subscription to attract local players. A timber hut first served as the clubhouse; the present clubhouse building dates to 1923. Modern drainage has since helped keep the course playable through winter.

Did You Know? The Cumming Cup, gifted by the same Captain Cumming who rescued the club in its first decade, is still Uphall's premier matchplay trophy.