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Ruthwell Golf Club, Dumfries & Galloway. (1893 - 1920s)

The club was founded in 1893.

Originally a nine-hole course

It was reported in April 1893 that at a meeting of golfers in Dumfries it was resolved to form a club at Ruthwell where a splendid course is available on the foreshore, report below.

Dumfries & Galloway Courier and Herald Wednesday 26 April 1893. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Later in the month it was stated that the new golf course at Ruthwell is being patronised by a good few players, but decent scores are rare. The lowest so far is 53 by Mr W M Blake; Rev. R Donaldson, 55; R Wright, 57. 

Result of the July 1894 medal.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard Wednesday 18 July 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In October 1894 Mr H M Govan, secretary of the Queen of the South Club, played over the Ruthwell course and created a new course record, beating the record set by W M Blake of 79. His score for the two rounds as follows; 5,3,3,3,4,6,4,5,5 = 38; 6,3,3,3,4,4,5,4,6 = 38.

Result of a match against Queen of the South Golf Club played in August 1894.

Dumfries and Galloway Standard Wednesday 29 August 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In October 1896 the members competed for Sir Robert Reid's half yearly medal, leading scores; Dr Scott, Clarencefield, 114-15-99; W M Blake, 98+2-100; J M Gray, 104-2-102; W J Scott, 113-10-103.

The article below courtesy of  The Evening Times 29 April 1897.

The golf course on the 1890s Ordnance Survey Map.

O.S. Map Revised 1898; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}.

In 1902 the secretary was G Smith, Hope Cottage, Ruthwell. An 18-hole course. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a week, 10/- a month. The railway station at Ruthwell was 1 ½ miles away.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1893; Membership of 60; Hon. secretary, J S Kerrs; Entrance fee nil;Subs £1/1s a year, 10s a month, 2s/6d a week; Professional, W Shaw; Amateur record, 68;. The course is one of 18-holes and lies on the shore of the Solway. The turf is particularly good.

Ruthwell Golf Club disappeared in the 1920s.

Grid reference NY09510,66270, co-ordinates 309510,566270.