Map of historic Gleneagles course up for auction

Gleneagles hotel near Auchterarder, Perthshire. Picture: PA

The map of Gleneagles’ Wee Course, along with other associated memorabilia from Gleneagles, is to go under the hammer next month in the capital.

Drawn in 1928 by an unknown cartographer, the map is thought to be one of the first of its kind, with the course itself built the same year.

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It shows the nine hole course and greens, as well as the second hole on the adjoining King’s Course, framed and glazed alongside two tee markers.

The map is 15 inches by 26 inches.

The original nine hole Wee Course at Gleneagles, constructed in the summer of 1928, was designed by Head Greenkeeper, George Alexander.

It complemented the already renowned King’s and Queen’s Courses, requiring neat play and offering a pleasant challenge.

Members of staff from Gleneagles Hotel carried out most of the work themselves, using turf produced by the hotel’s nursery.

Enjoyed by many, the Wee Course remained much as George Alexander had intended until 1974 when a further nine holes were added and the Prince’s Course was formed.

History repeated itself as the Wee Course was then resurrected mostly on the ground that formed the original course using turf from the Prince’s greens.

Former Golf Courses and Estate Director, James Kidd, and his staff built the course themselves, recapturing the spirit of George Alexander’s design.

It is now known at the PGA National Academy course.

Gleneagles hosted the 2014 Ryder Cup last month, bringing many visitors to the course to see the action.

Included in the collection is two original tee markers, the first from the Gleneagles Hotel’s 15th hole - ‘Houlet’s Haunt’, the second from the 13th on the King’s course - ‘Braid’s Brawest’.

The markers measure 17 inches by 11 inches, and 14 inches by 10 inches, respectively.

A collection of Ransome’s Scotland pin flags thought to be from the late 1970s is also part of the lot.

Henry Baggott, a specialist of Books, Maps, Manuscripts and Historical Photographs at Bonhams, said: “The whole collection belonged to a gentleman who worked as a greenkeeper at Gleneagles.

“He worked there in the 1980s. It is not obvious where the map actually came from, but he came by it whilst working there.

“It is one of the original drawings of the Wee Course, used at Gleneagles.”

The map and other memorabilia will be up for grabs at Bonhams’ sale of Sporting Sale on November 5 in Edinburgh.

The collection is expected to sell for around £300 at the sale next month.