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Ickham Court Golf Club, Wickhambreaux, Canterbury. (1908 - 1925)

Founded in 1908.

A 9-hole course on gravel and loam soil. Hazards were stated to be “mainly hidden” and in every possible way the characteristics of the land had been preserved. There were stations at Bekesbourne 3 miles, Grove Ferry 3 ½ miles and Canterbury 5 miles away. 

In 1908 paying guests fees, 3 shillings a day, 15s a week - Mrs Gambrill, Quaves, Ickham.  

There was a large gathering for the opening of the course on October 10th 1908 with a three ball exhibition match between Tom Vardon, Brown of Barham and Hickman of Canterbury.  Mr Wood of Lee Priory was President of the club, the secretary was Mr Hyde Smith of Wickhambreaux. Others present; Canon & Mrs Nisbett, Mr & Mrs Hyde Smith, Mrs Stubbs, Col & Mrs De Crespigny, Mr Robertson, Mr & Mrs Sillars, Mr & Mrs Champion.  The course was considered to be satisfactory for the short time it had been in existence.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald Saturday 18th December 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Following are the winners of the monthly bogey in January 1911; gents’ - Captain Baird; ladies’ – Doris Wastall. Also in January 1911 the club played a match against the officers of HMS Shannon, the Ickham team; Dr E Morris, G Hewitt, H S Hardy, F J Morgan Kirby and Rev Hyde-Smith. Result of the 1911 February medal; gents’ Capt Baird; ladies’ Mrs Wastall. Record Cup won by Miss D Kelsey. Result of the March bogey competition; gents’ – Humphrey Scrimgeour; ladies’ – E Robertson and L Bing tied on 6down. Result of the July bogey; gents’ - F I Drake, 3down; W G Hewitt, 7down; ladies’ – Mrs Wastall, 4down; Miss Robertson, 7down. At the summer meeting Col Rodwell won the Escombe Cup with a score of 76+80=156. October monthly bogey; Capt Nisbett and R J Morgan-Kirby tied on 2down; Miss D B Kelsey, 4down. December monthly medal; Dr E Morris, 77-5-72; Doris Wastall, 97-21-76.

Result of the July 1911 monthly medal; F I Drake, 3down; W G Hewitt, 7down; Ladies - Mrs Wastall, 4down; Miss E Robertson, 5down.

Ickham Court Golf Club – Easter Meeting 1911.

Ickham Court Golf Club – The Committee.

In 1913 the secretary was A Hamilton, Ickham, Canterbury. Telephone Canterbury 53. The club had a membership of 120. Entry fee was 10/6 and subs £1/11/6, Family membership was £2/2/0. There was no entry fee for officers on active service, subs £1/1/0, family £1/11/6. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 4/- a week. Sunday play was not allowed.

Below is the result of a match played at Ickham against Wye College in November 1913.

At the spring meeting in April 1914 Dr E Morris set a new course record of 75. 

Below the club continues following the war.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald Saturday 17th May 1919. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In July 1920 golf was restored at Ickham following the war. The course was on the banks of the Lesser Stour with the village inn being used as the clubhouse. The annual meeting was held at the Wickhambreaux Village Club, Mr A Baird of the Willows, Wickhambreaux, was in the chair. Capt H H C Baird was elected club captain, Miss Kelsey the ladies’ captain. Thanks were passed on to Mr Sillars who again offered the land rent free, also to Byron Kelsey, the secretary for his untiring work. Also thanks to Mr Champion who supplied a horse to help with the work on the course.

At the Easter meeting in 1921 the 18 hole ladies’ competition for the Sillars Challenge Cup, presented by Robert Sillars, was won by Mrs Cramsie with net 69, her sister, Miss Champion net 73, won the small silver cup given presented by H T Greensted. Result of the gents’ medal; D A Collard (16), D R Morris (5) and J G Roberts (6) tied on net 83, D A Collard won the play off.

In November 1921 the Thanet team visited Ickham in a charabanc.

In 1923 the course was in good condition following the purchase of a horse drawn mower.

From 1923 to the clubs closure in 1925 the secretary was E B Kelsey, telephone Littlebourne 17. The greenkeeper was W Gimber. Course records were, amateur M Spencer 68 and professional Tom Vardon 76. Visitors’ fees were now 2/6 a day, 10/- a week and £1 a month. Local hotel was the County.

In 1925 Ickham played Folkestone, the last match before the Ickham course closed.

In July 1927 the current Canterbury Golf Club opened.   

Ickham Court, location of the golf course at Wickhambreaux.

Grid reference TR22130,58330, co-ordinates 622130,158330.