THE village of Muckhart has one of the most unusual claims to fame, and it all stems from its 100-year-old golf club.

At the turn of the 20th century the minister at Muckhart the Reverend J. Edgar Cairns initiated moves for a golf course to be laid as there was a lack of sporting facilities in the area.

Fifty-five acres of land were rented for a nominal fee from local landowner Miss Ella Christie of Cowden, and JB Wyles of Dollar set to work on the layout of a nine-hole course.

Opened on Thursday, May 28, 1908 at 3pm by Miss Christie, it was regarded by the Alloa Advertiser’s reporter as "one of the best inland courses in Scotland" due to the short mossy grass and "splendid natural hazards".

After hitting the ceremonial first ball, Miss Christie handed over the Christie Cup, a silver rose bowl, to be awarded to the winner of the first competition. This was Miss Annie Lawrie.

Among those present at the opening ceremony was the multiple Open Championship winner James Braid.

The golf course proved popular but with the coming of World War II it was abandoned as locals were called up to fight in Europe and beyond.

However, following demobilization, Jack Turner took on the task of restoring it. The pre-war layout was re-established, and funds were raised for local farmers to cut the grass on the fairways, and a lawn mower was bought for the greens.

During the 1960s the course was extended to 18 holes, with these new holes being numbered 1-9 and the originals re-numbered 10-18 and was formally opened on August 31, 1970.

In September that year, a new clubhouse was also opened, built between the 9th and 18th greens. This was extended 18 years later.

A proposal put forward in the early 1970s to change the 10th hole, which was named after an original member and known as Dougal’s Fancy, but no agreement was reached so a new second 10th hole was created, making Muckhart probably the only 19-hole golf course in the world. Usually the 19th is the clubhouse bar.

In 1976 the land was purchased by the club and two years later a sprinkler system installed. Land from Drumburn Farm was bought in 1994 to create the nine-hole Naemoor Course which opened in 1998. The other two courses are known as Christie and Arndean.

Late golf commentator Peter Allis, who visited the course, described Muckhart as "a very fine and scenic golf course, well worth a visit".