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Louth Golf Club, Lincolnshire. (1902 - 1932)

In November 1900 a golf club was established for Louth, the first course was situated at Keddington Grange; The second course was at Acthorpe; Following WW1 a third course was laid out on the Cow Pastures.

Result of the 1902 February monthly medal donated by the president Mr T Cheney-Garfit. Mr F W Osgood beat Mr E H Cartwright by one point. Mr T M Winch and Mr A H Worrall were third and fourth, only five points separating the latter from the winner. A Gourlay of St Andrews, was appointed professional of the club for three months.

Report on the annual meeting in January 1904.

Nottingham Evening Post Saturday 30 January 1904. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a Match played at Sutton-on-Sea Golf Club in May 1904.

Result of the May 1904 monthly medal; Mr F W Osgood, 92 – 10 – 82; Mr S W Marsden, 97 – 15 – 82. Later in the month Louth played a club match at Sutton on Sea Golf Club, the home side winning by three matches to two. After the match an exhibition game took place between T Williamson, the Notts Golf Club professional, and the best ball of Mr Osgood and Major Walker. Williamson won 3 and 2, completing the course in 40.

Result of the July 1904 medal; Major F Kyme Cordeaux, 89 – 21 – 68; F W Osgood, 83 – 10 – 73. The latter gross score was the amateur course record.

Below is the result of a match played at Sutton in April 1905.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the Keddington golf course to the north.

O.S. Map Revised 1905; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1907}.

Below proposed new golf course at Acthorpe in November 1908.

From the Hull Daily Mail Monday 16 November 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the June 1907 monthly medal; F W Dennis, 85-10-75; G H Allison, 100-20-80; A Bellamy, 96-14-81. Bogey competition for a prize presented by the captain, S W Marsden, was won by G H Allison; runner-up, A Bellamy.

In November 1907 a match was played on the Keddington course between teams captained by the president (S W Marsden) and hon. secretary (A Bellamy). Mr Bellamy's team won by 4 matches to 3. 

Stamford Mercury Friday 24 January 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The annual meeting was held on Monday 18 January 1909, Mr T Cheney Garfit in the chair. The report and statement of accounts for the year ending 31st December 1908 was showing a balance in hand of £13/8s/9d. Progress was being made on the new links, probably a re-design of the original course at Acthorpe. It was hoped that this venture would prove successful. Mr Garfit was unanimously re-elected as president; Mr Cave Orme was elected captain; A Bellamy, secretary and treasurer; committee – E H Cartwright, R H Fowler, E Kyme Cordeaux, S W Marsden and W E Smith.

It was reported in April 1909 that the new course at Acthorpe, belonging to the Louth club, was opened on Monday 12th April.

Result of the monthly medal for May 1909; B L Cartwright, 86-4-82; T N C Garfit, 96-10-86. 

Whilst playing with Mr R L Cartwright on Thursday 13 May 1909, E Major, the Louth Professional, set a course record by completing the 18-holes in 67, the par for the course was 68. Major’s score as follows; 3,4,3,4,4,3,4,5,3 = 33; 3,4,3,4,3,3,5,5,4 = 34- total 67.

Report on the formal opening of the Acthorpe golf course in September 1910.

Stamford Mercury Friday 24 September 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In January 1910 Mr A Bellamy, secretary and treasurer, wrote a letter to the Stamford Mercury saying, “he wishes to draw the attention of the South Wold Hunt to the greens and tees on the golf course at Acthorpe. He states that serious damage was done on Monday 2 January, and appeals to the sporting instincts of all members to do what they can to prevent a recurrence” 

The annual meeting was held in the committee room at Louth Town Hall on Friday 28 January 1910, Mr Cave-Orme presided. Others present were; Lieut-Col Cordeaux, J.P, F W Dennis, Mark Smith, J.P, S W Marsden, Councillor C F Herbert, J S Allison, J P Hemming, T M Winch, Capt W G Smyth, J.P, W H Smith, Dr Laughton Smith and A Bellamy, secretary and treasurer. The treasurer’s account showed a balance in hand of £9/3s/9d. Subscriptions amounted to £118/2/6, donations £8/2/6, green-fees and locker rent £8/11/6, with £4/15/0 transferred from the formation account. The total receipts amounted to £149/0/3. On expenditure the principal items were; Tradesmen’s account £19/7s/2d; labour £59/17/5; rent £12/10/0; loans on clubhouse repaid £7/17/0; dividends on debentures £5/3/0; expenditure on formal opening £9/18/3. The accounts were audited by Mr J Perry Hemming. The membership was 50 men and 15 ladies. It was proposed to reduce the subscriptions from 2guineas to a guinea and a half to encourage membership. The president, Mr Garfit was re-elected as was the captain, Mr Cave-Orme.

Winner of the monthly medal for February 1910 was Dr Laughton Smith, 96-10-86.

In March 1910 the committee appointed E Major for a few weeks. He would be available for giving lessons after March 31st.

The fine weather attracted a lot of competitors to the picturesque links during Easter 1910. On Saturday 26 March 1910 a match between teams selected by the captain, G A Cave-Orme and the secretary, A Bellamy.

Following are the results of four competitions played during November 1910; The final of the competition for the captain’s prize (Mr G A Cave-Orme) resulted in a tie between T M French and F W Dennis, both finished all square; The ladies’ monthly medal was won by Miss Willan, net53; The monthly medal for men was won by A Bellamy, 96-14-82; There was a large turnout for the Williamson Challenge Bowl which was won by G A Cave-Orme with a score of 3up. This competition was open to members of the Royal Wimbledon Golf, as yet we have no idea of the association between Louth and Royal Wimbledon but it would be interesting to find out.

Lincolnshire Echo Wednesday 4 February 1914. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the monthly medal played on 1 April 1911 on the Acthorpe links, the heavy conditions made scoring difficult; Major R H Fowler, 97-16-81; Dr F Laughton Smith, 93-9-84; Liet Col F K Cordeaux, 100-14-86; Rev J A Beasley, 95-8-87; Mark Smith, 116-24-88.

Below is the result of a match played at Acthorpe against Woodhall Spa Golf Club in April 1914.

Played on the Acthorpe course the May 1914 monthly medal was won by Basil Sharpley; 104-24-80.

Suspension of play considered at the annual meeting in January 1916.

Lincolnshire Echo Thursday 27 January 1916. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Arthur Bellamy of High Holme Road was the secretary in 1919.

New course on the Cow Pastures in 1920.

Lincolnshire Echo Friday 23 January 1920. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the June 1921 medal; W B Keeling, 100-24-76; W B Bach, 95-16-79; B Sharpley, 94-12-82; E C Daniels, 100-14-86.

Grimsby Daily Telegraph Monday 4 July 1921. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in January 1922.

Grimsby Daily Telegraph Tuesday 17 January 1922. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Grimsby News Friday 2 February 1923. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Leading scores in the March 1923 monthly medal; Basil Sharpley, 88-12-76; R W Clokie, 96-10-86; W B Bach, 97-10-87; D S Herbert, 99-10-89.

In the 36-hole final for the Marsden Challenge Cup in October 1924 G E F Smith (4) beat W H Guilding by 8 and 7.

Lincolnshire Echo Friday 29 January 1925. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Grimsby Daily Telegraph Tuesday 2 February 1926. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Grimsby Daily Telegraph Friday 4 February 1927. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In June 1927 Basil Shapley holed in one at the 162 yard first hole.

At the annual meeting in February 1928 C F Herbert was re-elected president and W B Bach and H Sharpley were re-elected hon. secretaries. R W Clokie was appointed treasurer on Mr A Bellamy resigning the office. Mr Bellamy who had served the club in various capacities for over 20 years, was elected to the new office of vice-president.

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Hon. secretary, A Bellamy; Green-keeper, H Sandford; Nine-holes; Visitors, 2 shillings a day; Sunday play after 12.30.

It was announced at the annual meeting in January that improvements to the course were to be contemplated.

In September 1929 W B Bach and P Godsmark played in the final for the Marsden Cup. The match was played over 36-holes and finished all square. 

Eleven cards were returned in the June 1930 monthly competition; N H Guilding, 1up; R Morton, all square; G Veal, 3down; F Musson, 3down; C Skinner, 4down.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1931.

Louth Standard Saturday 21 March 1931. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played at Louth against Elsham in May 1931.

Result of the captain's prize played in June 1931; A C Camamile, 2up; W H Heath, 1up; A Dales, all square; N H Guilding, S G Barnes and E E Bentley, 2down; G C Wilson, 3down; F Musson, 5down; G R Balmer and S R Rowbotham, 6down.

Report on the closure of the club in January 1932.

Louth Standard Saturday 30 January 1932. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Course on the Cow Pastures marked on the map below.

Bartholomew Map © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1942}.

Maps below show the location of the second course at Acthorpe.

Bartholomew Map © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1920}.