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North Bedfordshire Golf Club, Biggleswade. (1891 - WW1)

The club was founded in 1891.

Mr Peel, the Right Honorable the Speaker of the House of Commons and president of the club, formally opened the new club at Biggleswade on Saturday 19th December 1891. Mr Peel, after making a short speech, expressing his approval of the game as a healthy form of recreation struck the first ball, amidst the loud cheers from the large and distinguished crowd which had assembled.

Originally a 12-hole course it was reduced to 9-holes and was situated on Biggleswade Common, same location as Mid Beds, flat and sandy with hazards of gorse and brooks. The stations at Biggleswade and Sandy were both 1 ½ miles away. Local hotels were the Swan and the Crown.

Throughout the 1890s and early 1900s  the secretary was Charles Burnett, Biggleswade and the professional A Vardon  junior. A 12-hole course at this time. The course records were, amateur R C Hayes Millar with a score of 76 and professional Alf Vardon 68.

Below is the result of a match played at Biggleswade on March 30th 1892 against Huntingdon Golf Club (also now defunct).

Result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 7th May 1892; H Whitbread, 111-24-87; J Hughes, 94-6-88; A C McNish, 99-10-89; J Conder, 117-24-93; H Mann, 98-4-94; R Hughes, 102-8-94; A B Brackenbury, 108-10-98; H Lindsell, 129-30-99; J G Duberly, 111-10-101; A J Richardson, 122-20-102; A K Lindsell, 132-30-102; E A Dyer, 134-30-104; Dr Good, 115-10-105.

Below a report on the second annual meeting November 1893.

From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 25th November 1893. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

Result of the March 1894 bogey competition; Mr D Mann, (15) 3down; Mr J Duberly, (6) 4dn; Mr H M Lindsell, (17) 4dn. Bogey score for the course was 82. The March final medal was won by Mr Lindsell with a net 84, the ordinary medal was won by the Rev W Royds, 113-30-83.

Result of the April 1894 medal; Mr D Mann, 97-16-81; Rev A Foster, 107-25-82; Mr Hubert Payne, 110-25-85.

On Saturday 15th December 1894 a valuable cup presented by the Marquess of Granby MP, captain of the club, was played for. The winner was Mr L C Daniel, 98-10-88 and the runner-up Mr Peter Payne, 107-16-91.

Result of the January medal in 1895; A C McNish, 101-8-93; Rev Worlow, 114-15-99; C Burnett, 130-18-112.

The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; North Bedfordshire Golf Club; Instituted 1891; Membership of 48; Secretary - C Burnett; Captain - C Guy Pym, M.P; Entrance Fee £1/1s and Subs £1/10s; Twelve-holes; Professional - Alfred Vardon; Professional Record - Pedlar, 76; Amateur Record - R C Hayes Miller, 78; Visitors' fees, 2s/6d a week, 5s a month. The course is situated on Biggleswade Common. A flat course it is a fairly good specimen of an inland course, and the greens are very good indeed, but, rather small. There is at present no Sunday play.  

Charles Guy Pym - Club Captain in 1905.

In 1914 the joint Secretaries were E Bluett Winch and E Marsh The Brewery, Biggleswade and the professional J Lawrence (1912/3). Now a 9 hole course there was  a membership of 48. The entry fee was £1/1/0 and the subs £2/2/0. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 5/- a week, 7/6 a month and 10/- a quarter. Sunday play was not allowed.

North Bedfordshire Golf Club became Mid Bedfordshire following WW1.