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West Runton Golf Club, Norfolk. (1903 - 1950s)

Founded in 1903.

West Runton Golf Club originally had a nine-hole course (eventually extended to 18-holes) that was laid out among the beautiful hills and dales of Runton, requiring an infinite variety of shots, and commanding “a prospect of moorland, woodland and sea that certainly has no equal on the sea boarders of the east of England, and no superior in places more noted than East Anglia for romantic scenery”. Most of the bunkers and hazards were natural. The course was within five minutes by rail from Cromer and Sheringham. The course was lengthened prior to WW1 by 1,500yds. There were new greens and some of the former greens had been re-designed. The new holes ran along the hills, where there was evidence of a Roman encampment. The station at West Runton was only 100yds away.

The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Hon. Secretary, W H Sprague, West Runton, Cromer; Nine-holes; Professional, Geo Johnson; Professional record, G Johnson, 34; Amateur record, Philllips Oppenheim, 38; Visitors' fees were 2s/6d a day, 10/- a week and £1/10s a month.

*Full name for the professional was Albert George Johnson but he was often referred to as George Johnson.

View from the Golf Links (postally used 1904) Authors Collection.

The Clubhouse and ninth green on a postally used postcard dated December 1906. Authors Collection.

The course on a “Munday’s Series” postcard postally used in July 1909. Authors Collection.

Early scorecard of the West Runton nine-hole course. From the Christoph Meister Archive.

In 1914 visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 7/6d a week. From 20th July to 20th September 2/6d a day, 15/- a week (ladies 12/6d). Sunday play was allowed with caddies.

West Runton Golf Club button. 

From 1923 to 1929 the professional course record was 65. Visitors’ fees on introduction or for members of recognised clubs were now 3/- a day, 4/- Sundays, 17/6d a week except from 15^th July to 15th September when it was 5/- a day, 6/- Sunday, £1/5/0 a week. The local hotel was the Links.

From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; West Runton Golf Club; Membership 180; Hon. secretary - L Renwick Abbs, The Woodlands, West Runton; Professional, George Johnson and green-keeper, George Green; 18-holes.

There were two holes in one on the same day in August 1934. C W Clarke of Kettering on the 117 yard eighth hole, and C H D E Sansmarey, East Berks, holed out at the eighteenth, 208 yards.

Roman Camp and Golf Links West Runton. (Authors Collection)

In 1940 and 1947 the membership was 200 and the SSS was 73. Eighteen-hole course. The professional course record was held by G Johnson (65). Visitors’ fees had changed slightly, from 1st October to 30th June 3/- a day and 17/d a week. July and Sept 4/- per day, 21/- per week. August 5/- per day, 25/- per week.

Golf Course West Runton.

In 1951 course records were, amateur A H Perowne (71), professional H O Pickworth (67).

West Runton Golf Club had disappeared by the mid 1950s and the Links Country Park Hotel & Golf Club appears.