Sledgehammer comes down on clubhouse at one of world’s best courses

admin — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 21:15:22 +0000

Kristy Dorsey
| Special for Golfweek/Newsquest

The demolition of Royal Dornoch’s former clubhouse has officially begun, with club captain Gary Bethune taking a symbolic sledgehammer to the 116-year-old Scottish building.

The project is being overseen by Nairn-based Helica, with contractor GF Job carrying out the demolition. The first phase will be internal works with different materials going into separate skips for recycling.

The golf course, which was designed by Old Tom Morris, John Sutherland and George Duncan and opened in 1877, ranks third on Golfweek’s Best 2026 list of the top 50 classic courses in Great Britain and Ireland.

It is expected to take between eight and 10 weeks to level the site, after which it will be landscaped for the start of the golfing season. No decision has yet been made on the long-term use of the land.

Officially opened in July 1909 at a cost of $2,190, the clubhouse replaced an earlier wooden Golf House with three rooms and a corrugated iron roof. It, in turn, has now been replaced by a new $19 million facility.

“In one way, it is sad to see the clubhouse going,” Bethune said. “It has served us well for most of the last 116 years, but nothing is forever and it was undoubtedly time to move forward.

“Like many others, I said my fond farewells in early December when I locked the doors one last time. We had raised a glass or two to the old dear and shared fond memories that will be with us forever.

“In a way, I grew up in the clubhouse, where my grannie Bunny Bethune was the caretaker in an era. Now we have embarked on a new chapter in the history of Royal Dornoch with the opening of the fabulous new clubhouse – only the third in our near 150-year history – before Christmas.”

Ewan MacGregor, managing director at Helica, said: “The old clubhouse is an iconic part of Royal Dornoch’s history and holds many special memories for both the local community and golfers from around the world.

“Helica is proud to be overseeing the sensitive demolition of such a significant building alongside GF Job, ensuring the process is carefully planned, well managed and carried out with care.”

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Sledgehammer comes down on clubhouse at one of world’s best courses