Ilkeston Borough/Pewit Golf Club, Derbyshire. (1928 – 2022)

There is evidence of an earlier club prior to WW1.

Throughout the years it was known as Ilkeston, Ilkeston Borough and Pewit Golf Club.

The first course opened in 1928 and continued until WW2. In 1947 the council decided that the course would be required for football pitches and playing fields. 

The Ilkeston Borough Golf Club course reappears in the early 1950s. In 2022 due to continuing financial problems the council decided to permanently close the course. 

The club was first mentioned in October 1928 when it was reported that “Ilkeston Council last night decided to proceed with the construction of a nine-hole golf course.”

Work begins on the new course in December 1928.

 

Ilkeston Golf Club, Derbyshire. Work begins on the new golf course in December 1928.

 

Ilkeston Golf Club, Derbyshire. Work begins on the new golf course in December 1928.

 

Ilkeston Golf Club, Derbyshire. Work begins on the new golf course in December 1928.

Derby Daily Telegraph Wednesday 19 December 1928. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Announcement of the new golf course in July 1929.

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Derbyshire. Ilkeston's new golf course in July 1929.

Derby Daily Telegraph Saturday 6 July 1929. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

From the Nottingham Journal Tuesday 23 July 1929; “New Ilkeston Golf Course – A nine-hole course adjacent to the Rutland Recreation Ground, Ilkeston, was formally opened yesterday by the Mayor (Mr W Lacey.)" Charles Knight hit the opening shot.

 

Ilkeston Golf Club, Derbyshire. Picture of the opening of the golf course in July 1929.

Derby Daily Telegraph Tuesday 23 July 1929. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

It was reported in August 1929 that the Ilkeston Golf Course was “not busy.” To create interest it was hoped to arrange a competition between Ilkeston Council and Heanor Council. The absence of publicity was put forward as a reason why the course was not being used.

The new Ilkeston Borough Golf Club in February 1930. 

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Derbyshire. The new Ilkeston Borough Golf Club in February 1930.

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Derbyshire. The new Ilkeston Borough Golf Club in February 1930.

Derby Daily Telegraph Tuesday 18 February 1930. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

It was reported in June 1930 that the course was so popular that some congestion was being experienced. It was thought that extending the course to 18-holes may be considered. The condition of the nine-hole course was stated to be excellent.

The flourishing club in August 1930. 

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Derbyshire. The flourishing club in August 1930.

Derby Daily Telegraph Friday 22 August 1930. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The final of the Vertannes Shield was played in July 1932. R Joyce (10) beat J Costello (17) by 5 and 3.

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Derbyshire. Location of the golf course in 1933.

Location of the golf course in 1933.

 

A clue to the location of the course in the following report “One of the holes on the Ilkeston golf course is alongside a railway. More than once, it is said, a”pulled ball has nestled in a passing railway truck, and gone for a ride.”

Result of the Coronation Cup in  May 1937.

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Derbyshire. Result of the Coronation Cup in May 1937.

Derby Daily Telegraph Monday 17 May 1937. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Result of a match played at Ilkeston against Derby Golf Club in May 1939. 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club   Derby Golf Club  
E Godfrey and S Dexter 0 A Baker and B Price (2up) 1
E Waterhouse and F Burry (2 and 1) 1 J Burnham and A Turner 0
F Wheatley and E Paliney 0 A Targus and W E Smith  (3 and 1) 1
N Simpson and L Attenboro 0 A Matthews and H Milner (4 and 3) 1
F Wright and S Caddick  (halved) 0 T Burnham and S Davidson (halved) 0
  1   3

From the 1947 Golfer’s Handbook; Ilkeston Borough Golf Club; membership of 70; secretary – H Spencer Wood, P.A.S.I., F.A.I., 22 Burns Street,Ilkeston; green-keper, H Aldwinckle; amatuer course record – H Joyce, 62; 9-holes, Par 63; visitors’ fees – 1s/6d a round of 18-holes, 2s/6d a day.

Report from the Nottingham Evening Post Thursday 9 October 1947; “ILKESTON GOLF COURSE TO CLOSE – Ilkeston’s municipal golf course is to be closed at the end of this year and used for football pitches and playing fields. This action has been taken because of the loss on the undertaking – an average of £400 annually. This decision by the Town Council has not been accepted without protest, However, it was pointed out the membership had never been more than 50.”

It was reported in February 1952 that Ilkeston Golf Club had promised to use the golf course if it was restored by the Corporation.

Results of the August 1954 monthly competitions for the Ilkeston Borough Golf Club; Medal - F Roper, 80, 61; C Greatorex, 80, 63; C Toplis, 82, 64; A Gates, 89, 65; N Pear, 88, 67; W Carr, 82, 68; Bogey - F Roper, 2up; E Page and L Hutchinson, all square; S Rossington and C Toplis, 1down; A Carr, 2down.

 

Ilkeston (Borough) Golf Club, Derbyshire. Picture of the pavilion in 1955.

Derby Daily Telegraph Tuesday 8 March 1955. Image © Reach plc.

 

Result of the Ilkeston Borough Golf Club December 1955 monthly bogey competition; A Hendey, 1up; A Wilkes, 1down; J Straw, R Thorpe, H Grayson, F Davidson all 2down. 27 members took part.

In February 1956 the following officers were elected for the Ilkeston Borough Golf Club; President, M L Costello; vice-presidents - D Bladen and C H Fletcher; Captain, R Thorpe; Vice-captain and secretary, S Rossington; Treasurer, L R Heathcote; Press agent, J R Hutchinson; Committee - E H Page, A W Carr, L Hutchinson, R Hutchinson, E Stanley, A Wilkes, E Earnshaw.

Competitions played in May 1960. 

 

Ilkeston (Borough) Golf Club, Derbyshire. Results of competitions played in May 1960.

Derby Daily Telegraph Wednesday 25 May 1960. Image © Reach plc.

 

Ilkeston (Borough) Golf Club, Derbyshire. Picture taken at the annual dinner in 1964.

Derby Daily Telegraph Saturday 1 February 1964. Image © Reach plc.

 

From the Golfer's Handbook 1972 - 1975; Ilkeston, Pewit, West End Drive, Ilkeston; Secretary, S J Rossington; 9-holes; Fees, 25p. 

A new clubhouse for the Ilkeston Borough Golf Club was officially opened in May 1979 by the Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Henry Shaw.

Golfer's Handbook 1982; Membership, 90; Secretary, S J Rossington; 9-holes, 4,116 yards, SSS 60; Fees, £1.10p.

Golfer's Handbook 1988; (1929); Membership, 90; Secretary, S J Rossington; 9-holes, 4,116 yards, SSS 60.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Advert for the course in March 1990.

Ilkeston Express Thursday 22 March 1990. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Golfer's Handbook 1991; 9-holes, 4,116 yards, SSS 60; Fees, £4

There were reports in 1992 and 1994 that it was hoped to extend the course to eighteen-holes.

Golfer's Handbook 1994; 9-holes, 4,116 yards, SSS 60; Fees, £5.25.

Advert for the Pewit Golf Course in April 1999.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Advert for the course in April 1999.

Ilkeston Express April 1999. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Golfer's Handbook 1998 -2004; Ilkeston Public; Membership, 100; Secretary, M Ogden; 9-holes, 4,116 yards, Par 62, SSS 60; Visitors fees on application.

It was reported in May 2022 that due to increasing costs the course was to close. It was proposed to use the land for a nature reserve.

Officers wrote in a report on the issue: “The golf course was uneconomic pre-Covid-19 and, despite the efforts made, post-pandemic this situation is worsening with golf members and casual users declining. The scale of the financial shortfall is such that income levels would need to increase by many fold in order just to break even.

The running costs of the course are expected to rise significantly in the coming years due to increases in the national living wage, fuel costs and wider inflationary pressures.” The council has offered Parkwood a £40,000 per year reduction in the money it pays it to run its leisure centres if the site were to be permanently closed.

Officers say this would save the council approximately £280,000 in the remaining seven years of the contract. The council says it would partner with Derbyshire Wildlife Trust to protect and enhance the site as a nature reserve, if it was to cease life as a golf course.”

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Course scorecard, local rules and course plan.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Course scorecard.

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Pewit Course. Course scorecard and local rules.

 

Ilkeston Borough Golf Club, Pewit Course. Course scorecard.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. The clubhouse.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Picture of the course.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Picture of the course.

 

Pewit Golf Course, Ilkeston. Picture of the course.