To mark Kirkhill Golf Clubs 50th anniversary a jubilee exhibition match was played in August 1960. The above picture shows the game and the crowd at the 1st green. Golf professional’s Eric Brown and John Panton played with leading amateur golfers Dr.Frank Deighton of Hilton Park and a Mr.Walker from Ayrshire.
Mr.Dieghton hit the first green with a drive and 6 iron, a notable feat in 1960. Even today with modern clubs and golf balls the green is out of range in two shots for the majority of members.
At the 10th hole, the par 3 up the hill, Eric Brown was going to hit a wood, but when Mr.Deighton hit the green with an iron, he changed to an iron and commented about never being beaten by an amateur.

Eric Brown was a renown match player and was known as the Brown Bomber. In the 1957 Ryder Cup at Lindrick Golf Club, (the GB team won). Eric Brown played the fiery Tommy Bolt in the singles, feelings were running high and they were both late for the their tee time, American Jimmy Demarat joked he’d last seen them standing at 50 paces, throwing clubs at each other. Bolt tried to slow-play the speedy Brown, who sent his caddie to the clubhouse to bring back a lounge chair. Brown won the match 4&3. Bolt said “I guess you won, but I did not enjoy it one bit”. Eric Brown replied “And nor would I after the licking I have just given you”.
Eric Brown was 10th in the Open in 1960 and 5th in 1961.