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Burbage Common Golf Club, Leicester Road, Hinckley. (1894 -1982)

Founded in 1894.

A 9-hole course until the late 1930s when it was extended to 12-holes, it reverted to 9-holes in the 1950s. There were several changes to the yardage and these are listed further down the page. Sunday play was not permitted prior to WW1. Local hotels were the Union and the George.

Sometimes listed as Hinckley Golf Club.

Hinckley Golf Club opened a new 18-hole course on an adjoining site in 1982.

Report on the formation of the Burbage Common Golf Club in October 1894.

Hinckley Times Saturday 20 October 1894. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played at Cosby in October 1896.

Melton Mowbray Times and Vale of Belvoir Gazette Thursday 22 October 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the location of the golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1901; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1904}.

Nuneaton Chronicle Friday 12 September 1902. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Hinckley; Burbage Common Golf Club; Number of members, 72; Hon. secretary, J H Layling; Captain, J E Pilgrim; Entrance fee, nil and subs, £1/1s, ladies 5s; Nine-holes; Professional, W Strachan; Professional record J Adinch, 37; Amateur record A Reid, 37; Terms for visitors, 1s a day, 3s a week, 5s a fortnight, 10s a month. 

Hinckley Times Saturday 25 March 1905. Image © Reach plc.

Hinckley Times Saturday 25 November 1905. Image © Reach plc.

Melton Mowbray Mercury and Oakham and Uppingham News Thursday 4 October 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result  of the January 1907 monthly bogey (Captain's Prize); J E Pilgrim (10), 2 down; P Taylor (12), 3down; B Taylor (21), 5down; W J Pilgrim (8), 6down; A O Willcox (15), 6down; F Green (18), 6down; M G Wood (8), 9down; B Sproule (12), 9down. 

Below is the result of a match played at Burbage against Coventry Hearsall Golf Club on Saturday 20 February 1909.

Below is the result of a match played at Cosby against Narborough Golf Club (now defunct) in September 1909. 

Result  of the June 1911 monthly bogey (Captain's Prize); W J Pilgrim (8), 2up; T S Beardsmore (10), 2down; J A T Hall (10), 2down; A T Blakesley (15), 2down; W C Brittain ( 15), 2down; J Blakesley (17), 2down; J E Pilgrim (8), 3down.

Hinckley Times Saturday 5 October 1912. Image © Reach plc.

In 1914 there was no entry fee and subs were £2/2/0 for gents and 10/6 for ladies. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 3/- a week, 5/- a fortnight and 10/- a month.

In 1916 the secretary was Walter J Pilgrim, Station Road.

Revival of the club following WWI.

Hinckley Times Saturday 10 May 1919. Image © Reach plc.

In the early 1920s visitors’ fees were now 2/6 a day. 

Match played in May 1921.

Hinckley Times Saturday 4 June 1921. Image © Reach plc.

Result of the June 1921 monthly medal; R C Mason (18), 75; J A T Hall (12), 76; W E Ball (15), 79; E Pashler (16), 80; T S Beardsmore (9), 81; S J Walker (24), 84; A W Crofts (12), 86.

Result of the Layng Challenge Bowl (36-holes) played in May 1922; E Pashler, 184-16-168; W Brittain, 187-12-175; R C Mason, 190-13-177; Dr J A T Hall, 191-11-180. In a recent different competition H Livesay holed in one at the first hole - a feat which had only once previously been accomplished in the history of the club. 

Competition and match played in September 1923.

Hinckley Guardian and South South Leicestershire Advertiser. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Hinckley Guardian and South Leicestershire Friday 9 May 1924. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Hinckley Guardian and South South Leicestershire Advertiser Friday 11 July 1924. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1920s showing the location of the clubhouse and golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1923; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1925}.

In 1925 the secretary was Walter Pilgrim.

In July 1927 Charles A Ball won the Layng Bowl  for the third year in succession with net scores of 63 and 67. The Bowl therefore became Mr Ball's own property.

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Burbage Common Golf Club, Leicester road, Hinckley; Membership 98; Hon. secretary; W T Busby, Queens Road, Hinckley; Professional; W E Colver; 9-holes; Course records; Amateur; T S Beardsmore, 33; Professional; J H Busson, 31; Visitors, 1s/6d a round, 2s/6 a day; Sunday play without caddies.

In July 1929 S Walker holed in one at the ninth-hole. He did the same thing at the same hole on the previous Tuesday, using the same club, the same ball and playing against the same opponent.

Report on the annual meeting in September 1929.

Hinckley Times Friday 27 September 1929. Image © Reach plc.

Leicester Daily Mercury Wednesday 26 February 1930. Image © Reach plc.

It was reported in March 1932 that three new holes were to be added to make twelve in all.

Leicester Evening Mail Tuesday 1 November 1932. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1933; Membership 98; Hon. secretary; W T Busby, Queens Road, Hinckley; Professional; G S Hooper; 9-holes; Course record; Amateur; T S Beardsmore, 33; Visitors, 1s/6d a round, 2s/6 a day; Sunday play without caddies.

The groundsman in 1933 was Walter John Parks.

In September 1933 the club appointed J Fourt as professional in succession to G S Hooper.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting in May 1934; President, A S Atkins; Secretary, C G Watts; Treasurer, O P Couch; Captain, R K Bennett; Green-manager, W C Rigby; Match and competitions secretary, J S Featherston; Committee; S J Walker, L R K Hall, A Russell, J Berridge, A Bennett and Dr J H Donnell. The following prizes won during the year were presented; Thorneycroft Cup, W A Robinson; Payne Cup, J Aldridge; Captain's Prize; C H B Hall; Club Trophy, C H B Hall. 

Competitions played in June 1935.

Hinckley Times and Guardian Friday 28 June 1935. Image © Reach plc.

Golfer's Handbook 1937; Membership 140; Hon. secretary; C G Watts, Merllyn, Springfield Road, Hinckley; Professional H Fourt; 12-holes, SSS 74; Course records; Amateur; T S Beardsmore, 33; Visitors, 1s/6d a round, 2s/6 a day; Sunday play without caddies.

Golfer's Handbook 1940 and 1947; Secretary; A Macarthur, 78 Mount Road; Professional, B Fereday; Green-keeper, M Fraser; 12-holes, SSS and Par of 70. Visitors’ fees, were 1s/6 a round, (2s/6d at weekend).

Report on the annual meeting in May 1940.

Hinckley Times Friday 31 May 1940. Image © Reach plc.

Play seemed to be restricted during WWII with competitions raising funds for the war effort.

W F Jennings 78-12-66 was the winner of the Payne Cup competition in October 1942; Runner-up was B J Moore, 76-6-70. The competition raise £6 for the Red Cross.

Competition in aid of the Red Cross played in June 1944 was won by J Bailey, 88-16-72. The sum of £3/3s was raised for the Red Cross.

Result of the Ladies' section Ryley Cup competition played in October 1947; Mrs F W Hood, 71 net; Mrs C Watts, 75; Miss Sunderland, 75; Mrs F Roberts, 75; Mrs J Berridge, 79; Mrs C Hands, 81; Mrs H Mason, 83; Mrs H Bennett, 83; Miss L Felstead, 87.

Leading score in the "Hospital Cup" competition played in October 1948; F Weston, 81-13-70; L Hall, 75-5-70; R Young, 94-22-72; J Evans, 92-20-72; A S Russell (club captain), 78-6-72; W Jennings, 83-10-73; G Taylor, 83-10-73. Five guineas was raised for hospital funds.

Hinckley Times Friday 29 September 1950. Image © Reach plc.

At the annual meeting in June 1951 Mr A S Atkins was unanimously elected president for the fifteenth successive year, and it was recalled that he was the only surviving member of the club as originally formed. Mr R G Hughes was elected captain and Mr L R K Hall vice-captain. 

In June 1951 the bogey competition for the Victory Trophy attracted 29 competitors. Miss L Sutherland, the Ladies' captain, being the winner with a score of 2up. The runner-up was Mr K L Mason who finished all square, other scores; A K Brown, 1down; Miss J Cook, 1down; Mrs F Price, 2down; R G Hughes, 2down; B Garratt, 2down; A W Macarthur, 3down; W Martin, 3down; B J Moore, 3down; H W Millen, 4down; I Norton, 4down.

Trophy winners at the annual ball in the Masonic Hall in March 1952.

Hinckley Times Friday 14 March 1952. Image © Reach plc.

In May 1952 the Burbage Common Golf Club pavilion was destroyed by fire.

Opening of the new pavilion in October 1953.

Midland Counties Tribune Friday 23 October 1953. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in March 1954 that professional Len Fereday would be leaving at the end of the month. He had been professional for eight years after taking over from his elder brother after the war. He had been responsible for much of the redesigning of the nine-hole course. 

The following were elected officers at the annual meeting in June 1954; President, A S Atkins; Captain; T V Prescott; Vice-captain; A Faulkes; Hon. secretary, A W Macarthur; Hon. treasurer; T V Prescott; Hon. green-ranger, W J Kelly; Hon. match secretary, J H Chapman; Hon. house secretary, A Faulkes. Mr and Mrs J Hardy, recently appointed professional and stewardess, were given an official welcome by the president .

The diamond jubilee of the club was celebrated in October 1954 with competitions for prizes provided by the president A S Atkins.   

Prizes presented by A S Atkins at a dinner in February 1955; Club champion, F R Roberts; Runner-up, J L Weston; Thorneycroft Cup; R W Lamsden; Godfrey Cup; Mr and Mrs R Hughes; Hospital Cup and Johnson Tankard, H Grainger; Veteran's Cup, C W Hipwell.

It was reported in June 1956 that the club professional John Hardy would be leaving to take over as professional at Bury St Edmunds Golf Club.

The picture below was taken at the club dinner in November 1960. Miss Rosemary Gale (left), one of the senior members, presenting the the Leicestershire and Rutland Ladies' Challenge Shield to the 1960 County Foursomes winners. Left to right; Mrs A P Palmer, Mrs A B Godfrey, Miss M Bedford (captain) and Miss Bridget Snee.

Leicester Daily Mercury Thursday 17 November 1960. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1961; Membership 250; Secretary; J H Chapman; Professional; E Harrison; 9-holes, 5,190 yards  SSS 65; Amateur course record; A M Reed, 67; Visitors; 3s/6d a round, 5s a day (weekends, 5s).

Leading scores on Captain's Day in June 1961; H Young, 82-16-66; J Martin, 81-14-67; L W Underhill, 81-14-67; J Fisher, 91-22-69; S H Moore, 86-16-70; J J Thorne, 80-10-70; J Ghent, 76-5-71.

Hinckley Times Friday 30 June 1961. Image © Reach plc.

Picture of the course and clubhouse in 1962. The following text (which is not very clear) accompanies the picture - "This is a view of Burbage Common Golf Club and shows the delightful setting in which it is situated and the beautiful countryside which surrounds it. The picture was taken on a quiet morning this week when only a few of the town's businessmen were able to retreat from the worries of industrial life. But it will be the scene of greater activity tomorrow when the captain of the Professional Golfers' Association and Ryder Cup player, Peter Allis, is paying a visit to take part in an exhibition match."

Hinckley Times Friday 31 August 1962. Image © Reach plc.

The picture below shows Mrs Jean Anderson on the green, watched by Eddie Callaway , Mrs J Walton and Peter Allis, at the exhibition match.

Hinckley Times Monday 3 September 1962. Image © Reach plc.

The following report accompanies the above picture - "Eddie Callaway, the Kirby Muxloe professional, was the star at Burbage Common golf course. He went round in a brilliant 65 and with his partner Mrs Walton (Rothley), beat Peter Allis and Mrs Anderson (formerly Jean Donald) by 3 and 2. Callaway, who had eight birdies on his card, scored as follows; Out; 3,4,3,4,3,4,4,4,4 = 33; In; 3,3,4,4,3,5,3,4,3 = 32. Mrs Walton played extremely well and came in on several vital holes. Allis did 69, but was not at is best although his partner, Mrs Anderson, hit the ball with great power."

Golfer's Handbook 1964; Membership 250; Secretary; J H Chapman; Professional, Joe Reynolds; 9-holes, 5,190 yards  SSS 65; Amateur course record; A M Reed, 67; Visitors; 5s a round, 7s/6 a day (10s).

Competitions played in May/June 1964; Jennings Cup; R E Hicks, 81-16-65; E Lloyd, 84-18-66; G Dakin, 77-10-67; Veteran's Cup; T L Norton, 77-11-66; J Ghent, 70-4-66; J Cooke, 82-15-67.

Ladies' competition played in July 1964 for prizes given by Miss Sunderland; Mrs A Reed, 78-3-75; Mrs F Hallam, 85-18-67; Mrs J Chapman, 96-29-67. After the prize-giving Miss Sunderland, who has been a member of the club for years and is leaving the district, was presented with a decanter and glasses by Miss Wendy Johnson from the ladies of the club. 

Golfer's Handbook 1966; Membership 250; Secretary; J H Chapman; Professional, E Harrison; 9-holes, 5,362 yards  SSS 65; Amateur course record; A M Reed, 67; Visitors; 5s a round, 7s/6 a day (10s).

Picture below taken at the prize presentation at the George Hotel in February 1966 left to right; Mr C Smith, Mr J E Payne, Dr Cook; Mrs Cook, Miss W Johnson, Mrs Randle, Mr J S Randle, Mr A M Reed and Mr J Fisher.

President of the club Dr J Cook presented the prizes to the following; President's Prize; R Payne; Captain's (J S Randle) Prize; K Robinson; Club Champion; A M Reed; Club Trophy, M T Gain; Thorneycroft Cup; T Heward; Payne Cup; B Wilcox; Isolation Hospital Cup; J E Payne; Jennings Cup; C G Smith; Coronation Cup; J Fisher; Veteran's Cup; J Fisher; K B Johnson Bowl; A Payne; Family Cup; M and J Swan; Founder's Prize; G Dakin, D Bromley, C Wormleighton; Ladies' Section - Ryley Cup; Mrs F Hallam; Price Cup; Mrs R Meikle; Victory Cup; Mrs M Wright; Faulkes Cup; Miss W Johnson; Cooper Bowl; Miss P Breward.

Hinckley Times Friday 25 February 1966. Image © Reach plc.

Golfer's Handbook 1972; Membership 250; Secretary Jack H Chapman; Professional, E Harrison; 9-holes, 5,667 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record; K Tailby, 71; Visitors, 75p a day (£1 weekends).

Report and picture at Captain's Day in July 1974. 

Hinckley Times Friday 12 July 1974. Image © Reach plc.

Golfer's Handbook 1975; Membership 250; Secretary; Jack H Chapman; 9-holes 5,667 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record; C B Clarke, 70; Visitors, £1 (£1.20).

In March 1975 the club appointed Fred Riley as their new professional in succession to John Olde.

Founders Day passes another milestone in July 1975.

Hinckley Times Friday 25 July 1975. Image © Reach plc.

Death in October 1895 of Mr Arthur Shirley Atkins a Burbage Common Golf Club stalwart.

Leicester Daily Mercury Thursday 30 October 1975. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

At the ladies' annual meeting in February 1976 the following officers were elected; Captain, Mrs R Spencer; Vice-captain, Mrs J Arguile; Secretary and treasurer, Mrs D Bromley; Handicap secretary; Mrs J Thorne; Committee; Mrs M Wright, Mrs B Bilson, Mrs B Randle; Mrs R Meikle and Miss M Mableson.

Leading scores in the Jennings Cup played in September 1976; D Spence, 82-17-65; G Farnworth, 84-18-66; Best gross; M Bailey, 77-9-68.

Founder members bowl ladies' section July 1977; Mrs E Goodwin, 95-29-66; Miss B Snee, 84-17-67; Mrs B Bilson, 86-18-68. 

Competition results from August 1978; Veterans' Cup; H York, 79-11-78; R Hicks, 83-19-71; Monthly medal; T Stevenson, 80-14-66; R Richardson, 80-12-68; Best gross; G Dakin, 76; Founders' Cup; J S Herbert, 71-5-66 (winner on local rule); G Isaac, 75-9-66; G Dakin, 72 gross; G B Clarke, 75-18-67; R Freer, 82-15-67; M & B Cup; J Skelton, G Millington, 61 net; Courage Cup; K Tailbey, M Dutton, 74 gross; Mixed stableford competition; Mrs G B Coley and G Coley, 37 pints (winners on local rule), 37 points; Mrs R G Hughes and R Ball, 37 points; Mrs M Mableson and G Isaac, 32 points; Ladies' Price Cup; Mrs K Arguile, 93-20-73; Mrs A Knight, 104-29-75.

Changes were made at the annual meeting in March 1979 due to the retirement of long serving officials Jack Chapman (hon. secretary) and Ron Meikle (hon. treasurer). Election of officers; President, A B Godfrey;  Captain, Roy Coley; Vice-captain, D Bromley; Hon. secretary, J Toon; Hon. treasurer, P Wilby; Hon. house secretary, R J Wells; Hon. match secretary, E C Marston; Green-ranger, K Tailby. Pictured below left to right; A B Godfrey, J H Chapman, R Coley, R F Meikle and G Brown.

Hinckley Times Friday 23 March 1979. Image © Reach plc.

Ladies' competitions played in August 1979; Faulkes Cup; Winner, Mrs A Knight; Runner-up, Mrs A Arguile; Monthly medal; Mrs K Arguile, 88-22-66; Mrs J Ball, 98-28-70; Mrs J Mountford, 104-34-70.

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Hinckley Times Friday 12 September 1980. Image © Reach plc.

Shotgun competition played in September 1980.

Hinckley Times Friday 19 September 1980. Image © Reach plc.

Reports on the annual meetings of the Burbage Common club in 1981.

Hinckley Times Friday 30 January 1981. Image © Reach plc.

Hinckley Times Friday 13 March 1981. Image © Reach plc.

Golfer's Handbook 1982; Membership 250; Secretary, J Toon; 9-holes, 5,845 yards, SSS 69; Amateur course record; A Taylor and P Taylor, 68; Visitors, £4.

Burbage Common Golf Club disappeared in 1983. The current Hinckley Golf Club and course came into being in the same year.

Map of the course showing the location in 1904 to the east of the common, in 1955 the course is to the centre and clubhouse to the north.