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Ipswich Golf Club, Rushmere, Suffolk. (1895 - 1926)

Founded 1895 when the professional to 1897 was J McKinnon. Jack Ross took over as professional from 1897 to 1900 then Peter Fernie from 1900 to 1917.

This is the original site for the Ipswich Golf Club, it moved to its present location in 1926.

Report on the proposed golf club in October 1894.

Evening Star Saturday 27 October 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In January 1895 an advert was posted for a working foreman for Ipswich Golf Club to carry out work on the Rushmere Heath for the next few months. Applications to; A Pearce, Post Office Chambers, Ipswich.  

Below, notice of the early officers of Ipswich Golf Club and of the first course on Rushmere Heath.

From The Ipswich Journal Saturday 27th April 1895. . Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1895; Membership of 320; Hon. Sec., A Pearce, Corn Exchange, Ipswich; Captain, F G Bond; Entrance Fee nil and Subs £2/2s; 18- holes; Terms for visitors, 1s a round, 2s a day, 7s/6d a week. A fine sporting course on sandy heathland, 5,400 yards in length. Natural hazards consisting of furze, whin bushes, etc.

Also listed was Ipswich Ladies’ Golf Club; Membership of 301 gentlemen, ladies 60; Hon Sec. Miss Porter, Rushmere, Ipswich; Captain, Mrs R B Bond; Entrance fee 10s/6d and Subs 15s. The ladies play the same course with the exception of the eighth hole, where they play from a short tee. 

Result of a match played at Stowmarket in April 1906.

Postcard by Smiths showing the Ipswich course and clubhouse in the early 1900s.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News August 27th 1910. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

When Ipswich Golf Club moved out Rushmere Golf Club (Founded 1927) moved in.