Historic Scottish golf club unveils new statue of two local legends
Bronze of Donald Ross and John Sutherland unveiled at Royal Dornoch on back of new clubhouse opening
St Andrews has one of Old Tom Morris near The R&A Clubhouse while there’s also one at Wentworth to mark Bernard Gallacher’s lengthy tenure as the Surrey club’s head professional.
Now Royal Dornoch also has a statue in memory of Donald Ross, the legendary golf course architect, and John Sutherland, a long-time club secretary who played a key role in nurturing golf in Dornoch and the Highlands.
As was the case with the Old Tom Morris one, Fife-based David Annand sculpted this one, which was forged in Edinburgh at Powderhall Bronze foundry.
Annand was joined for an unveiling ceremony at the Sutherland club by US- based Canadian benefactor and Heritage Foundation supporter Greg Ebel, as well as Ross’s Canadian grandniece, Jane McElligott.
They were joined by Nate Hoffman, of Donald Ross Sportswear, Pam Allen of the Donald Ross Society, Royal Dornoch club captain Gary Bethune and Professor David Bell, a past captain.
The new statue acknowledging the contributions of both Ross and Sutherland is another exciting addition at Dornoch after the opening of a new £13.9 million clubhouse.
“Ross had a hand in creating more than 450 courses and Pinehurst No 2, now regarded as his masterpiece, is an anchor venue on the US Open rota,” said Professor Bell.
“Sutherland, the town clerk and honorary secretary who served the club for 58 years and whose golf articles of the day lured well-heeled Edwardians to the town for the summer season, had encouraged Ross to pursue club-making under Old Tom Morris at St Andrews before returning north.
“Sutherland’s impact on golf in the Highlands and far beyond is not as well-appreciated as that of Ross but hopefully this statue will help redress that.”
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