Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club

The golf course at Kingholm was established in 1880 when a group of businessmen leased the land and commissioned Mr Fergusson to design the original 9 holes. Multiple golf clubs, including Queen of the South, utilized the links at this location.

Following a tragic accident in 1894 where a young boy was fatally injured by a golf ball, the course committee relocated the golf course to Summerhill, leasing 36 acres from Mr J W Whitelaw and laying out a new 9-hole course designed by Willie Fernie.

In 1895, a separate 6-hole golf course was created for women and juniors adjacent to the current first fairway and Jessiefield Prison. Expansion of the course occurred in 1930 with additional land leased, allowing for the debut of an 18-hole layout, which hosted the Barbour Cup in 1935.

Significant land acquisitions for the course included the purchase of the Summerhill section in 1949 and the Pearmount area in 1976, supplemented by member contributions and a grant from the Scottish Sports Council. More recently, in 1994, the course expanded to a par 70 following the acquisition of two adjoining fields from a local farmer.

The first professional associated with Dumfries & Galloway Golf Club, and the one responsible for designing the Summerhill course in 1894, was Willie Fernie, the 1883 Open Championship winner. Willie Fernie, with a noteworthy golfing pedigree, provided significant contributions to the club, including the supply of golf equipment during the era of the gutty ball and hickory shafted clubs.