Part 2 - A Change of Ownership
After the Second World War, Bonnyton Moor's story
remained unremarkable until the mid-50s when events took a unique
and historical turn.
After years of prejudice and discrimination by
many private members' clubs, Glasgow's Jewish community took matters
into their own hands and established a Golfing Society which organised
competitions played over a number of municipal courses. However,
their ambitions were more audacious and their efforts bore fruit
in the summer of 1957.
The following passage is adapted from the Souvenir
Programme to mark the opening of Bonnyton Golf Club on 19th. May
1957:
"It is known that
golf has been played by Jewish Citizens of Glasgow almost from the
turn of the last century, but it was in 1931 that the first attempt
was made to form a society for organised competitive play. In that
year, under the auspices of the Glasgow Jewish Institute, a Golf
Section was formed and the first stroke play competition was played
over the course of the Dullatur Golf Club. Thereafter, medals were
played over Dullatur, Clober and Bonnyton Moor.
Several trophies were contested, The Solly
Yaffy Cup, The Segal Trophy, The Harry Morris Shield, The Mandel
Cup, etc., but the highlight of each season was the Talmud Torah
Trophy, a knockout competition eventually to be superseded by the
Finkelstein Charity Cup.
Right up to the outbreak of war in 1939 the
Club made progress helped by the enthusiasm of its members. The
name of Mr. R.E. Lyons was always to the fore in Jewish golfing
circles of the time and some of the members of the Club in that
decade [1930s] are still playing an active part in the administration
of the present Club. Activities were resumed after the cessation
of hostilities and membership increased so rapidly that only Troon's
three municipal courses could cope with the enthusiasm of Jewish
golfers who will always be grateful to Troon Burgh for the many
happy days spent there.
In 1951 the first steps were taken which led
up to today's happy event. Inspired by the lead given by the late
Mr. Michael Schuster, ably followed up by such stalwarts as Henry
Simmonds, Dick Wolfson, Jack Kiemel and Sidney Solomons (not forgetting
Issy Gilman, Leslie Wolfson and the committee members), the Glasgow
Jewish Golf Club (Building Fund) went from strength to strength.
From its foundation in 1951 the funds grew rapidly and when, in
1956, the opportunity to purchase Bonnyton Moor Golf Course presented
itself, it found the Club ready and eager to pursue its objective. The job required drive, initiative and ability, and, under
the leadership of Mr. Louis Ferrar, ably assisted by the Building
Fund Committee, the objective was attained.
Acknowledgement must be made to the large number
of people who contributed so readily to the project and to the small
band of men whose foresight, ability and hard work have culminated
in the . .
'BONNYTON GOLF CLUB'
Bonnyton Golf Club Committee 1957
Top Row
H. Sellyn, L.Lott, W. Cowan, B. Brill, A. Segal,
J.P. Jacobson, D.A. Woolfson.
Middle Row
P. Konchater, Dr.R. Wolfson, C. Black, N. Harrison,
J.H. Simmonds, S. Solomons, A. Glaser.
Front Row
L. Wolfson, L. Ferrar (Capt.), M. Segal (Hon.
Vice-Pres.),
J. Kiemel, I. Gillman
