THE GOLF HOUSE CLUB, ELIE: Commonly known as Elie, golf has been played on Earlsferry Links, from possibly as early as the 15th century. A royal charter in 1589 affirmed the ‘ancient servitude right of golf’ for the villagers over the Links. The first Club - The Elie and Earlsferry GC was formed in 1832. However in order to provide permanent facilities a clubhouse, or what was known as a ‘golf house’ was built in 1875, and the opportunity was taken to use this name to form a new club in the same year, The Golf House Club. James Braid, five times winner of The Open was born and grew up in the village of Earlsferry and was a member of the Thistle aged 15. He considered the 13th hole, nestling beneath the towering cliffs of Kincraig Point to be ‘the best hole in golf’ and the 4th as needing ‘twa guid dunts wi' a wood’ to reach the green into the prevailing wind.