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Wingerworth Golf Club, Chesterfield. (1932 - 1950s)

Founded in 1932. 

The following report is from the Derbyshire Times Saturday 14 May 1932 – “Wingerworth Golf Club – The course is pleasantly and conveniently situated at Nethermoor Farm. The land is fully enclosed, has natural drainage and hazards, the latter being embodied by the expert engaged in his plan for nine-holes. Extra land in the enclosed area will shortly be available to extend to 18-holes. The course will be open for play on the 24th June. A limited number of applications for membership are invited; Ladies, £1/10s., Gentlemen, £2/2s. Applications should be addressed to the secretary, Mr J Andrews, 17 Saltergate, Chesterfield.”

From the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald 2 July 1932. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Extract from the report accompanying the above image:-

“There was a representative attendance to witness the official opening of Wingerworth Golf Club on Sunday by Miss Enid Wilson, British Ladies Golf Champion 1931-32, who played an exhibition game with Mr S E Banks, an amateur champion from the Yorkshire Golf Club.

Situated near the Wingerworth-Tupton main road, the new course is the outcome of the enthusiasm of a few Chesterfield men who have apparently supplied a long felt need in this particular district, judging by the numerous applications already received for membership. Brigadier-General G M Jackson is the hon. president and Mr S Savidge vice-president. The latter owns the land on which the golf course is constructed. Commodious club premises have recently been erected and the venture gives every promise of being successful.

Brigadier-General Jackson presided at the opening ceremony and welcomed Miss Enid Wilson and Mr S E Banks. Speaking more particularly about Miss Wilson, he said the British people were justly proud of her achievements at golf, while those residing in Notts and Derbyshire were more anxious to claim her as one of their own. He was not surprised that both counties should compete for this honour, but Derbyshire certainly had it, because Miss Wilson gave Clay Cross the distinction in the first instance. “She belongs to Clay Cross and nowhere else” remarked the General.

The course consists of nine-holes, which may in the next two or three years be developed into a keen test of skill. With regular rolling and mowing, they should be in very fine condition in twelve months.

For the most part, the sites for the greens have been well chosen, but in one or two instances there has been a departure from good golfing practice. At the second, a shortish hole, the green slopes away from the approach shot, and difficulty will be found in holding the ball in dry weather. The same applies to the seventh, doubtless as time goes on these greens will be banked up at the back. The length of the course is roughly 2,500 yards with a scratch score of 35. The start is near Nether Moor Farm, where a useful little pavilion has been erected. The first hole is approximately 250 yards long, and Tricklet Brook makes an excellent hazard for the drive. The second a one-shot hole, is not such a good one, for the reason already stated, the ground slopes away as the ball approaches. The third is a clever golfing hole requiring an accurate drive over the brow of a sharply rising hill, but the ground opens out beyond. The fourth also calls for good direction on account of an out of bounds hedge on the left of the green and rushes on the right. A fringe of small trees has to be carried at the fifth and a good approach is necessary. The sixth is a sound hole of about 3330 yards. A hooked drive finds Beresford Moor Plantation, which is out of bounds, whilst a slice takes the ball away on a downhill slope. The seventh is another bogey four which also requires good judgment with both the tee shot and approach.  The green for the eighth, which can be reached with a good shot, is in Carr Plantation. The ninth is a really fine finish. It is the longest hole on the course, and Tricklet Brook has to be carried with the second, whilst the lane on the left is a deterrent to wild swiping. There are no artificial bunkers on the course, but for a start, at any rate, the natural hazards are sufficiently severe.” 

Derbyshire Times Friday 10 April 1936. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In the semi-finals for the cup presented by Brig.-General Jackson (club president), played in July 1937, R Clarke beat A Wheelhouse and J Wotherspoon beat A H Smith. The two latter finished all square after 18- holes, Wotherspoon won the play off by 5 & 3. Clarke won by holing a shot from the top of a bunker at the eighteenth for a birdie four, Wheelhouse missed a short putt for a half. 

From the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald Friday 22 October 1937. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In the late 1930s the secretary was L B Spriggs, 7 Bertrand Avenue, Clay Cross, Derby, telephone Clay Cross 2223, and the professional was W O Lythe. 9-holes with a SSS of 33, par 34 and a membership of 100. Course records were amateur A Wheelhouse 35, professional  W O Lythe 31. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 1/6  on Sunday. The station at Clay Cross was 2 miles away.

From the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald Friday 10 March 1939. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the April 1939 monthly medal; R Olive, 88-22-66; A Bennett, 87-20-67; A Wheelhouse, 74-6-68; H W Thompson, 89-17-72.

Below is the result of a match played against Chesterfield Police in July 1939.

The following is an extract from a report taken from the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald dated Friday 20 October 1939.

“Rumours that Wingerworth Golf Club had already closed down were indignantly discredited at a special general meeting of members held on Sunday. Brig-Gen G M Jackson, the president who presided, remarked “It would be a thousand pities if the club closed down now that there are definite signs of progress.”

The balance sheet for the last financial year revealed that the outstanding debt of the club had been reduced from £135 to £78. It was mentioned that valuable assistance has been given by members of Chesterfield Tube Works Golfing Society who are incorporated into the club, and Mr P Preece their secretary, said their members were very happy at the club. The value of golf as an outlet during times of stress, and the increased necessity for recreation during present circumstances was mentioned by speakers. It was decided that the club should continue to function as near normal as possible. The action of the committee in reducing green fees to 1/- per day was approved, and it was resolved to continue to admit new members at a fee of £2/2s.” 

A good entry was attracted for the  V.E flag competition played in May 1945. The winners were; E Bates, T Mellow, G Ball and R Weaver.   

In the 1950s, the secretary was H May, Ashover Road, Old Tupton, near Chesterfield. Course records; amateur - A Wheelhouse, 33; professional - W O Lythe, 31. The nine-hole course had a Par of 34 and SSS 33. Membership of 70.

Location of the Wingerworth course in the 1950s. Wingerworth Golf Club had disappeared by 1960.

Grid reference SK38315, 66085, co-ordinates 438315, 366085.