Voice for Arran readers may know that Jim Henderson of Lamlash acts as secretary for the Voice and has done for many years, but Jim has also been secretary for many years for a long-standing Arran institution – Lamlash Golf Club. To mark his semi-retirement as secretary of Lamlash Golf Club the Voice committee thought it would be a fitting idea to commemorate what Jim has done for around 46 years.
In April 1978 aged 35, Jim was elected to serve on the Lamlash Club committee. Although a keen golfer he had no idea how a club was managed and expected to spend some time becoming familiar and learning the ropes. However, within two months the person elected as secretary resigned and Jim was approached by another committee member, Andy Munro, to take on the role.
This led to three years as the club secretary followed by appointment as vice-captain and captain of the club during which time he instigated the, now extremely popular, Lamlash Open, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. In tandem the Open weekend holds an optional competition in support of the Arran Lifeboat Station. This happens to be the 200th anniversary of the founding of the voluntary Lifeboat organisation.
Representing Lamlash Golf Club led to some interesting times for Jim.
In the early years, representing Lamlash, Jim attended the meetings of the Arran Golfers Association and ended up assisting the elderly association Secretary/Treasurer who had been in office for 20 years (A.K.Ribbeck of Brodick).
In 1982 at the association AGM, the acting secretary resigned and proposed that Jim take over, which was the beginning of a term that was to last for 26 years as secretary and 37 as Treasurer. To mark his resignation and term of office the association awarded him with honorary membership of every club on the Island.
When Jim took over office the Hope Cup was already established, but in his first year the island Championship was established, which has made it one of the two most important golf events held on the Island. Incidentally, Jim has been present at every championship final since 1982.
On joining the association there were only 4 annual competitions but within a period of ten years the annual competitions, including junior events, increased to 14.
In 1999 the seeds were sown for establishing an organisation to encourage visiting golfers to Arran. In 2000 the Arran Golf Pass was initiated which now attracts a large number of participants who may use the pass on an annual basis to play every Arran golf course, at a reduced rate. The pass being valid for one game at each of the courses and one year from date of purchase. Jim was part of this group from the very beginning and acted as chair for a time.
In addition to serving Lamlash Golf Club and the Arran Golf Association, Jim has compiled a complete history of the Association and it is planned to have that kept in perpetuity in the Arran Heritage Museum.
Outside the golf circles, Jim has given a lot of voluntary time as a trustee of COAST and represents Lamlash on the Arran Community Council. As a member of both attends the Arran Island Plan meetings.
He has also written an authoritative book on the history of golf on Arran which is available in Arran bookshops.
At the club AGM on February 2024 Rob Niven took over the role of Lamlash Golf Club Secretary and has said of Jim:
“Jim’s knowledge of the history of golf on the Island is unparalleled. I have been fortunate to have shadowed him and scratching the surface of his knowledge. All of us at Lamlash are delighted Jim has agreed to stay in a more relaxed role as ‘Club Historian and Consultant’. His generosity in this regard means we can keep mining his knowledge for many years yet.
The 40th Lamlash GC Open will be a fitting tribute to the contribution Jim has made to the Island Golf Community and I am delighted Jim is still helping in the organisation of what we hope will be a sold-out event.”
Featured image shows view of Lamlash Golf course from the club house. All image credits Jim Henderson.