Crossroads and Characters

67. THE PREMIER GOLF COURSE.

There is a field to the north of Dunning which over time has served many purposes, as farm, Roman camp, village pasture, Scots cavalry encampment and, for one glorious year, the site of Dunning Golf Club's first course. Apparently this pasture called the Cow Park or Three Firs park had already been adopted by ardent golfers as a crude course, there being no other. In 1906, they decided to form a club and set out a proper course there extending to a field on the other side of the burn. In a few weeks the holes were laid out 'although a little bit rough with coarse grass'. 4 wooden bridges were thrown across the burn, 53 members were signed up, and play began. Apparently the 'natural hazards and bunkers', not to mention the 'pretty rough' greens were a bit much even for the ardent - the club decided to move to a new course the next year.