Clifton Downs Golf Club, Bristol. (1895 - 1959) 

Founded in 1895.

In January 1898 a competition was played on Durdham Down by competitors from the previous 12 months for three prizes of golf balls given by Howard Herring and Mr E Pegler, two of the members. The first prize was won by A W Carpenter, 88 net; the second by W F Gorton, 90 net; third tied between J H Peebles jun. and H K Isaac. In the evening the annual meeting was held at the Imperial Hotel when the officers for 1898 were elected, as follows; President, W Howell Davies; captain, Colonel Sir E Ross; hon. secretary, E Pegler; treasurer, J Aiton; A W Carpenter, Captain Hulton, R.N.

Below is the result of a match played at L0ng Ashton Golf Club in November 1898.

Long Ashton Golf Club   Clifton Downs Golf Club  
G H Tippet 5 E Pegler 0
E A Royds 0 H C Barstow 2
K C Irvine 0 Col. Pilgrim 4
I F McKean 0 A W Carpenter 7
W J Kempe 0 H K Isaac 2
H J Bennett 1 J Monteath 0
Sir E F Ross 5 Col. Whitehill 0
L C Abbott 6 Major Richardson 0
  17   15

Below is the result of a competition played in March 1899.

 

Clifton Downs Golf Club, Bristol. Competition result from March 1899.

From the Clifton Society Thursday 9th March 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Result of the April 1903 monthly medal; R C Bright, 84-11-73; J H Peebles, 77-2-75; P G Irvine, 89-10-79; A S Hardingham, 90-11-79.

Result of the September 1907 monthly medal; K Press, 89-14-73; J H Herring, 84-8-76; E W Wilson, 93-17-76; P G Irvine, 87-10-77; E Rees Mogg, 93-8-85; H S Hill, 99-14-85; F H Smith, 96-8-88; F Hemmingway, 95-6-89.

It was reported in April 1908 that Mr R O H P Theobold of 2 Rokeby Avenue, had succeeded Capt. E C Ross as honorary secretary. Result of the April 1908 monthly medal; W Pride Jones, 100-16-84; C H Reed, 103-18-85; H S Pride Jones, 104-18-86; J W S Toms, 107-18-89; H F Lasbury, 104-11-93; E G Bird, 114-18-96; A R Holten, 116-16-100.   

In 1914 the secretary was F H Thomas, 32 Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton, Bristol. The professional was T Toogood (1907 - 1914). A 9 hole course on Durdham Downs with a membership of 300. There was no entry fee. The subs for gents were 10/6 and ladies 5/-. Visitors’ fees 2/6 a month. Sunday play was not allowed. Station at Clifton Downs was ½  mile away.

 

Clifton Downs Golf Club, Bristol. Newspaper report from September 1925.

 

Clifton Downs Golf Club, Bristol. Newspaper report from September 1925.

From the Western Daily Press Thursday 25th September 1925. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Below is the result of a match played at Filton in July 1928.

Filton Golf Club   Clifton Downs Golf Club  
B H Greenway (8&7) 1 R Ehlers 0
E S Gallop 0 E D M Lane (3&1) 1
J Powell 0 W F Miller (5&4) 1
C H Reed (3&2) 1 H R Derrick 0
A W Eddolls 0 F S Atkin (6&5) 1
J T Cowood (6&5) 1 E S Nurse 0
V O'Brien (2up) 1 B Challenger 0
R J Bryant (4&3) 1 J C Barry 0
  5   3

The Clifton Downs quarterly cup competition played in March 1931; A Savery, 95-16-79; H R Derrick, 89-10-79; F S Atkin; 96-16-80; William H Adams, 103-22-81; R Ehlers, 97-16-81; Walter Adams, 104-22-82; B Challenger, 103-20-83.

 

Clifton Downs Golf Club, Bristol. Letter from the secretary July 1932.

From the Western Daily Press Wednesday 20th July 1932. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Clifton Downs Golf Club, Bristol. Report on the annual meeting January 1932.

From the Western Daily Press Monday 30 January 1933. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Result of the monthly spoon competition for June 1934; F W Crump, 89-18-71; W H Adams, 96-22-74; T W Blantern, 98-24-74; H Edwards, 99-24-75; R Ehlers, 92-16-76; E S Nurse, 95-18-77. Results from the half-yearly silver cup competition; B Challenger, 93-22-71; E S Nurse, 90-18-72; H G Rogers, 98-24-74; A E Petter, 98-24-74; Rev. Feneley, 93-18-75; T Chubb, 94-18-76. 

It was reported in November 1936 that the annual meeting of the club was to be held at Durdham Down Cafe, top of Blackboy Hill, on Friday 6th at 7.45pm. All members were asked to attend as the matter of continuing the club and therefore the playing of golf on the Down would be matters for consideration.

In the Golfer's Handbook from 1923 to the clubs last appearance in 1959 the secretary was still Frank H Thomas now 18 Upper Belgrave Road, Clifton. The professional and green-keeper was A Toogood  (1914 to closure).  Membership was between 200 and 300 during this time. Course records, amateur 71 and professional 72. Visitors’ fees 1/6 a week and 2/6 a month. Sunday play was not allowed.

As can be seen from the newspaper reports above the secretary in 1925 was C H Challenger and in the late  1920s/30s Philip Smith.  

Although it was listed in the Golfers Handbook into the 1950s the information given was a repeat of the 1923 entry. It's likely that the club disappeared prior to WW2.

The Google Map below pinpoints Clifton/Durdham Downs.