David Dempsey, Match Secretary at Windyhill Golf Club, was golfing with a guest from Yorkshire and in the course of the round his guest mentioned that he played for his club team, David was a bit taken aback by this as the guest was a mid handicapper not the usual low single figure handicap player who normally plays for the club team. However his guest explained that this was a team for mid handicap golfers and matches were played off handicap. David thought why should we not have a similar league in our area and he proposed the format to his club committee who fully supported the idea. David then sent letters to clubs in the area to attend a meeting with a view to discussing the start of a league.
Four
clubs attended the first meeting, Windyhill, Vale of Leven, Hilton Park and
Milngavie, a further meeting was called and other clubs attended and supported
the formation of the league. Jimmy McCrone, Windyhill Captain, and Angus
Thomson, Windyhill Treasurer, donated a trophy and the Thomson McCrone League
for golfers between handicaps seven and fifteen was first played for in 1971,
format being 8 singles and 1 fourball, the fourball result to decide in the
event of a draw, 2 points for a win, I point for a draw.
In 1975 the League membership increased to 14 clubs, Bishopbriggs, Cardross,
Cawder, Clober, Clydebank Overtoun, Douglas Park, Dullatur, Hayston, Hilton
Park, Kirkintilloch, Lenzie, Milngavie, Vale of Leven and Windyhill. The League
consisted of two sections of seven, each club playing 3 home and 3 away matches,
the winners of each section playing off to decide the winner. The team handicap
limits changed to eight to eighteen.
In 1979 four clubs, Craigmaddie (now Dougalston), Dumbarton , Helensburgh and Palacerigg joined the League which now became two sections of nine, playing 4 home and 4 away matches. The format changed to 9 singles, 2 points for a home win, 1 point for a home draw, 3 points for an away win and 2 points for an away draw.
Forrest Trophy
Also
in 1979 an additional competition was proposed where all member clubs would
enter a team of 4 players each to play one round medal play with the best 3 net
scores aggregate deciding the winner, in the event of a tie the 4th
score would decide the winner. Sam Forrest, Thomson McCrone Convener
Bishopbriggs Golf Club donated a trophy and the competition was introduced, each
club agreeing to take it in turn to host the annual event.
In 1981 three clubs, Clydebank and District, Kilsyth Lennox and Sandyhills
joined the League. Another change then to the format, the League became 3
sections of 7 clubs, each playing 3 home and 3 away. The winners of each section
would then play of by round robin to decide the winner.
In 1983 the team handicap limits changed, to be between nine and twenty.
In 1986 the league increased to the current membership of 24 clubs when
Bearsden, Campsie and Renfrew joined. The format again changed, four sections of
six, playing either 3 home 2 away or 2 home 3 away, the winners of each section
playing semi finals then a final to decide the winner.
In 1988 the league format was changed to its current format, 6 sections of 4, each team playing 3 home and 3 away, the winners of each section and best two runners up playing quarter finals, semi finals and final to decide the winner. Teams to consist of 10 players, matches to be played as 5 fourball.
Convenors Day
Also
in 1988 an
additional competition was introduced when it was decided to have a convenor’s
outing each year. Each club team Convenor would bring along a member of his club
and play one round greensome medal. Jimmy Cowan, League Secretary, from Clober
Golf Club who
appreciated the time and work put into the league by the convenors, donated a
trophy and each club agreed to take it in turn to host the annual event.
In
1999, approaching the
end of his term as League President John McDougall of Bishopbriggs Golf Club, donated a trophy for the league runners up.