Montrose golfers now have a clubhouse fit for the future as they step out to take on the challenge of one of the world’s oldest links.
And a tangible tie to the Royal and Ancient has been included for members at Royal Montrose Mercantile in their upgraded locker rooms.
Montrose construction company Pert Bruce has just completed a ten-month project to transform the traditional Traill Drive clubhouse.
It marks the latest milestone on the town’s important place in the history of the sport.
Rich heritage
Golf was first recorded in Montrose in 1562.
In 2018 the renowned medal course was renamed with that date to reflect its status as the world’s fifth oldest.
But the first golf club wasn’t established until almost 250 years later in 1810.
The town’s golf clubs came and went in the next two centuries.,
And in 2019 the Royal Montrose merged with Montrose Mercantile, leaving one club with two clubhouses.
The Royal Montrose Mercantile clubhouse is located next to the historic 1562 course but club captain Jamie Pert admitted it was long overdue an upgrade.
“Little had changed in around 50 years, so we wanted to increase the footprint and make the most of all the available space,” said Jamie.
The key factor in the successful upgrade of the building’s facilities for the modern era, while showing respect for the history of the centuries-old club, was attributed to “collaboration and flexibility”.
Pert Bruce Construction managing director Craig Bruce added: “Heritage refurbishment projects are always complex.
“However the team’s collaboration and flexibility overcame the challenges and delivered a new facility which reflects the newly merged club.
“It’s a modern and efficient space that works for both the 600-plus members and visitors alike.
“Over the course of our company’s history we have built a reputation for our skill in completing heritage projects such as this and we’re delighted with the outcome.”
Complex and interesting
The project was more than two and a half years in the planning, and Pert Bruce began work on site in April 2023.
The scheme had a substantial six-figure budget and was overseen by site manager Katy Davies coordinating the Pert Bruce workforce, completing the core trades of joinery, groundworks and masonry.
This team was supported by a number of local specialist sub-contractors and suppliers, to a design prepared by Adam & Gordon Architects.
Katy said: “It’s been a complex and interesting project, renovating the building in a sympathetic and practical way.
“The original building dates back to the 1900s so there’s always a touch of the unknown in what you’ll uncover.
“In many ways, extending the lounge area was the most straightforward part of the project – and this increases the footprint of the ground floor by over 900 square feet.”
R&A lockers
And an interesting addition to the clubhouse are the lockers bearing the emblem of the Royal & Ancient.
“The St Andrews club was undergoing its own refurbishment and had over 50 lockers going spare so we jumped at the chance,” said Jamie.
They still bear the R&A insignia.
“By carefully removing, uplifting, temporarily storing and then upcycling we were able to re-use them as another part of history in our upgraded clubhouse.”
Jamie added: “Montrose still has a golf course close to its centre, which is more unusual these days.
“We’re really grateful to Pert Bruce and all the local tradespeople and contractors who have delivered a facility that is more attractive and practical to visitors and local people alike.”
Conversation