Dunfermline Press Saturday June 21st 1890
“The efforts of the Dunfermline Golf Club to secure a suitable course have at length been crowned with success – the management having all but completed arrangements for the formation of a golf course at North Queensferry.
Three years ago, the members had on a short lease three parks at Halbeath, there miles east from Dunfermline, where, on a nine-hole course, they enjoyed their game and played their competitions; but the ground did not prove suitable for golfing – the parks being rough during the summer months, and, even when they were at their best, it being extremely difficult to keep the putting greens in playable order, and under this circumstance as also the fact that the course was not within easy reach of the town, a Committee was appointed some short time ago to look out for a new course.
The result of this was that negotiations were opened up with Mr Adam Will for a lease of a portion of the Ferry Hills. It was particularly fortunate that the Committee had a liberal-minded proprietor to deal with, and one who, instead of throwing obstacles in the way, did his utmost to encourage the movement.
Mr Will was wise enough to see that the formation of a golf course at North Queensferry is for the good of the district; and in meeting the golfers in a generous spirit, he has done not only them but the inhabitants of North Queensferry a district a good turn as no seaside resort is complete now-a-days without a golf course.”
Much interest is being taken in the movement in Inverkeithing and it is anticipated that the laying out of the ground will be followed by an increase in the members of the Dunfermline Golf Club, drawn not only from Dunfermline, but also from Inverkeithing and North Queensferry. Terms have already been arranged between Mr Will and the Club, and it is understood that a lease for a period of five years will be shortly signed. The ground is at present let for grazing purposes, and before the course can be laid out and play commenced, some arrangement will have to be made with the present tenant, who holds possession till November. There is every reason to believe that the enterprising movement of the Club will prove a complete success but a good deal of course, depends upon the facilities which the North British Railway may grant to golfers.
The accompanying sketch (for which we are grateful to the editor of the Evening Dispatch) shows at a glance the exact locality of the ground, and the proposed plan of the course. The course begins immediately at the new North Queensferry Station and runs along the east slope of the Ferry Hills to a point overlooking the Inner Bay and Jamestown, being bounded on the east by the old road from North Queensferry to Inverkeithing, and on the west for the most part be a strip of ground adjoining the railway.
The configuration of the ground is hilly, and in the meantime the grass is somewhat long and rank. the hill is, however, wonderfully free from whins, and though there is a thick bank of ferns just to the north of the second hole, and extending nearly across the course, comparatively little will require to be done in slashing away the bushes. It is in connection with the formation of putting greens that most money will be required, though something will also have to be spent in cutting the grass on the direct line between the holes at those parts where it is at present too long and rank to admit of play with anything approaching comfort and enjoyment. A dyke and a high hedge divide the ground, and these from very formidable hazards while there are abundant opportunities for interesting play from first to last. In the central park the grass has been well kept under check and it is playable at present, but the south and north portions of the ground, which do not appear to have been fully stocked lately, will require a good deal of laying out.
The ground is not of sufficient extent to admit of more than nine holes being obtained, but these holes, as it is proposed to lay them down will, with the exception of the first and the last, be long, and will afford plenty of scope for strong driving and “fairway” play. To those who know the location of the Ferry Hills, it is quite unnecessary to point out the natural attractions which the site possesses. On a clear day a magnificent view is had from the highest point – that is at the third hole – of the Firth of Forth; a view extending as far as the Bass Rock and North Berwick Law on the east, and Bo’ness and Grangemouth to the west, with the Forth Bridge and the narrow strait between the Ferries in the immediate foreground.
Back to 1890 – Ferryhills 9-hole course