Golfers race against time to identify ‘unknown soldier’

appeal: Portraits of former captains include photograph showing mystery member of armed services

A Tayside golf club is racing against time to identity a “forgotten” captain.

Present incumbent Donald Ford collected 12 framed portraits of former Dalhousie Golf Club captains which were gathering dust in storage.

One of the portraits, believed to show a captain between the wars, did not have a name attached.

Mr Ford is appealing for help identifying the ‘unknown soldier’ in time to include the photograph in a book to mark the club’s 150th anniversary.

Mr Ford said: “The clubhouse was vacated in 1990 and many of the artefacts, paintings, fixtures and fittings were taken by members to be stored until the return to the premises took place. “That, of course, never transpired. “As a result, nearly 30 years later they are scattered far and wide.

“I collected 12 framed portraits of past captains from the garage roof of Gordon Ellis, a past captain who passed away last year.

“There are clearly other items around houses in southern Angus but, with a considerable number of deaths since 1990, it is unlikely that surviving relatives will recognise the importance of whatever is in the attic, garage or garden shed.

“I discovered that, unlike the other framed pics from the garage roof, the soldier’s one didn’t have a name plate attached to the bottom of the frame. It was John Lindquist – past captain and secretary of the club – whose army knowledge led him to believe that the subject was post-First World War and pre-Second World War.

“Clearly it would be brilliant to find the identity of the unknown soldier, particularly in time to publish the story in the Dalhousie book. We maybe have four to six weeks to do so.”

Dalhousie no longer has a clubhouse following a saga which led to one of the cornerstones of Carnoustie golf being demolished to make way, eventually, for apartment blocks.

The club council was approached by a group of businessmen seeking to develop the site by expanding the clubhouse and creating accommodation.

Members vacated the premises “on a temporary basis” in 1990 until the new developments were completed.

The original Dalhousie site plans fell through, however, and the handsome red sandstone building was razed in 1998.

The club experienced a nomadic eight years, but ultimately settled into its new home at the Carnoustie Golf Hotel in time for the 1999 Open.

Dalhousie Golf Club is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with a series of events to mark the inaugural meeting of the 20 original members who formed the club in 1868.

An engraved water feature was installed on the 16th tee at the Carnoustie Championship course last month to mark the milestone.

It would be brilliant to find the identity of the unknown soldier. DONALD FORD Donald Ford with the mystery portrait. Picture: Kris Miller.