Royal Dornoch’s old clubhouse, which dates back to 1909, will be demolished from Monday, February 2, the club’s manager has revealed.
The recent opening of the new £13.9 million clubhouse marked the end of the road for a building.
Members have now braved the snow, which has engulfed much of the Highlands, to secure memorabilia from the old clubhouse.
“We have appointed Nairn specialists G.F. Job for the project, and it will take around eight to 10 weeks to level the site,” Neil Hampton said.
“It’s not about bringing in a wrecking ball and bulldozers nowadays. The internal work takes place first, with different materials going into separate skips for recycling.
“The future use of the site has yet to be decided but in the short term it will be landscaped and in good shape for the start of the golf season.”
Members were given the opportunity to snap up mementoes and items deemed surplus to requirements.
Neil was on hand to welcome bargain hunters queuing at the door.
“It was especially busy for the first couple of hours as members snapped up everything from tables and chairs to curtains, shoe cleaners and pots and pans, in addition to pictures, signage and locker doors for souvenirs.
“We have raised well over £3,500 already in donations to the captain’s charity, which is supporting Mikey’s Line and the East Sutherland Rescue Association, and the club’s Heritage and Junior Foundations.
“By the time the dust settles, I suspect we might even double that figure because we have had an offer for all the kitchen equipment and clubs in the region will have the opportunity to snap up anything that they can make use of.
“We said our goodbyes to the clubhouse before Christmas and it will be fondly remembered by members and visitors alike.
“But nothing lasts forever and it had been showing signs of its 116 years for some considerable time. Plans for a much-needed replacement clubhouse had been bandied about for decades.
“I’m delighted to say our new clubhouse is being warmly embraced by local members and townsfolk and we look forward to welcoming golfers from around the world to see it for themselves in the spring.
“This is a building designed with sustainability very much to the fore, with ground source heating, motion sensors and 136 solar panels on the south facing roof.
“And we were always eager to ensure that as much as possible of the old clubhouse could be recycled.”
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