William Shaw, a resident of the village of Blackhall, had a vision of establishing
a golf club for the men and women living in the local area and beyond. Miss
Murray Gartshore had agreed to lease three fields from her Ravelston estate
and to allow the club to be called Ravelston Golf Club.

The club was founded at a meeting in the local church hall in September 1912.
Applications to join flooded in and over 200 gents and 100 ladies became
members. In 2012 the club celebrated its centenary. Today the club has over
600 members and has retained the feel and friendliness of a local club.

The original nine-hole course was laid out by George Thomson, the head green
keeper at Murrayfield, beginning a long association between the clubs. Play
commenced in April 1913 before a crowd of over 200 people. It was a
remarkable feat to set up a club, course, and clubhouse in such a short space
of time. The clubhouse was extensively upgraded prior to the centenary, but
still retains a certain charm.

In the inter war years the directors of the club approached James Braid, Open
Champion and golf course designer, to redesign the course. The present course
largely reflects his plan. We are proud to be a member of the Association of
James Braid Courses and members enjoy the benefits this brings when visiting
other Braid courses.

Improvements to the course and clubhouse are ongoing. In 2024 a new
irrigation system was installed and we look forward to seeing the benefits of
this to the course. We hope that our welcoming atmosphere on the course and
in the clubhouse has fulfilled Shaw’s vision.