History

The Annandale Golf Club

"I would like for people who play Annandale to say at the end of a round; ‘Boy, I had an enjoyable day; that was fun.’"

- Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus was once quoted as saying “I would like for people who play Annandale to say at the end of a round; ‘Boy, I had an enjoyable day; that was fun.’” These famous words are and will continue to be the standard for Mississippi’s first world-class championship golf course and club. Annandale Golf Club was founded in 1981 by a group local business leaders to provide select individuals with a purist golf experience. The Annandale Golf Club is situated on the former site of the Annandale Plantation. The name Annandale has a proud heritage, brought to Mississippi in 1820 by John T. Johnstone of North Carolina, a great-nephew of the Earl of Annandale in Scotland. In the virgin forest of Madison County, he established an extensive Plantation and built a two-room log house, naming both Annandale. During 1857-1859, John and Margaret Johnstone built a forty room, three-story Italian Renaissance house elaborately furnished which they and their descendants lived in until it burned in 1924.

Throughout the years, the house was the scene of many social gatherings. On clear nights, guests would climb the staircase to the widow’s walk on the roof to stargaze and view the countryside. After 1900, the Plantation was a popular destination for motorists who drove to the grounds for picnics. Located nearby, the Chapel of the Cross was built in 1853. The church’s cemetery includes the graves of John Johnstone, Henry Vick, Helen Johnstone Harris, and the Reverend George Harris. Henry Vick was the son of the founder of Vicksburg and was engaged to marry Helen Johnstone on May 21, 1859, her 21st birthday. Tragically, Henry Vick was killed in a duel one week prior to the wedding date. He is buried in the church’s cemetery near the graves of Helen and Reverend George Harris, who was the Rector of Chapel of the Cross and later married Helen. Annandale Golf Club, since its inception has proven to be a highly acclaimed test of golf, hosting the 1986 U.S. Mid Amateur Championship, several Mississippi State Golf Association events, and the annual PGA Tour Stop since 1994. The Jack Nicklaus design golf course was ranked one the “Top 100” best golf courses in 1987 by golf digest and is currently ranked the best course in the state of Mississippi by Golf Digest.