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Cheltenham Golf Club, Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire. (1891 - 1935)
Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Cleeve Hill, Gloucestershire. (1902 - 1970s)
Organised golf has been played on the slopes of Cleeve Hill since 1891.
The Cheltenham Golf Club was formed in 1891 with a course designed by Old Tom Morris.
In March 1891 it was reported in the Wilts and Gloucester Standard that "A Golf Club has been formed at Cheltenham and over 100 members have bee enrolled."
Several clubs have played on Cleeve Common. The Cheltenham Town club was founded in 1902; after a couple of years it changed its name to Cotswold Hills Golf Club and continued share the course with the Cheltenham Golf Club for over thirty years. There was also an Artisans club which started in 1933.
The Cheltenham Golf Club club closed in 1935 and most of the members joined the Cotswold Hills club who continued to play on the course until the 1970s when it moved to its current course at Ullenwood.
The original course is now the home of Cleeve Cloud Golf Club.
Section One below records the history of the Cheltenham Golf Club; Further down the page Section Two provides the history on Cheltenham Town and Cotswold Hills Golf Club.
SECTION ONE - CHELTENHAM GOLF CLUB; 1891 - 1935.
Cheltenham Golf Club 1891 cuff button back mark Firmins London. Courtesy of Dixon Pickup.
The 18-hole course is situated on Cleeve Common has panoramic views of the Shropshire and Welsh Hills. The initial hazards were described as quarries, sunken roads and cart tracks. Unfortunately membership numbers dwindled at the Cheltenham Golf Club following WW1, this was partly due to the popularity of the Lilley Brook club in Cheltenham which came into being in 1922. The club was struggling financially during the 1930s and in 1935 the original club went into liquidation. In the early 1950s it was agreed by ex members that the Cheltenham club trophies should be divided between the Cotswold Hills and Lilley Brook clubs.
From The Golfing Annual Vol. V - 1891-92; "Annual Subscription, £1/1s none playing; £1/10s playing; Membership of 150 Gentlemen and 40 Ladies; President, Earl of Eldon; Captain, F D Longe; Council - F D Longe, Andrew Rintoul, C C Turnbull, J L Tweedie; J L Tickell, C Tillard and F Burgoyne Wallace; Secretary - F Burgoyne Wallace, Fern Bank, Cheltenham; Green-keeper, James Penley.
The course is one of eighteen-holes on Cleeve Common about three miles from the town, from which a bus runs every hour. Visitors are admitted free for two days, after which a charge of two shillings a week, or five shillings a month is made."
Below is a report on the first meeting of the club and a description of the course from July 1891.
From the Cheltenham Chronicle Saturday 11 July 1891. Images © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Visit of Old Tom Morris in July 1891.
Golf Friday 17 July 1891. Images © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Below an early undated course layout on Cleeve Hill.
Undated early course layout.
Yardages and Hole Names. Thanks to Melvyn Morrow for the above images.
The Cheltenham Clubhouse in the early 1900s.
Competition result from November 1891.
"Field" Friday 13 November 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of a match against Cotswold Golf Club played at Stow-on-the-Wold in December 1893.
"Golf" Friday 5 January 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of a match against Stowell Park played in April 1894.
"Golf" Friday 20 April 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Report on the course from "Golf" in June 1895.
"Golf" Friday 15 June 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Below is the result of a match played at Cheltenham against Chastleton Hill Golf Club (now defunct) in November 1900.
| Cheltenham Golf Club | Chastleton Hill Golf Club | ||
| Miss L Percival and Mr J K Ashton | 6 | Miss Cowan and Mr Hayward Simpson | 0 |
| Miss Wiggin and Mr Daubeney | 4 | Mrs Becher and Col. Wynter | 0 |
| Miss C L Peares and Rev. C McArthur | 7 | Mrs E Francis and Capt. Becher | 0 |
| Miss Rawlinson and Mr Fuller | 0 | Miss Causteu and Capt. Cowan | 3 |
| Miss Tuke and Col. Willoughby | 5 | Miss Allfrey and Henry Causteu | 0 |
| Miss E Bramwell and Mr Goodeye | 15 | Miss Hulme and Mr Byass | 0 |
| 37 | 3 |
Below is the result of the competition (by gross score) for a prize presented by Mr C C Turnbull at the Spring Meeting played on Thursday 15 March 1902. The club also presented a prize to the player with the best net score (M Chester).
| T K Aston | 82 | 1 | 81 | H B Yerburgh | 95 | 12 | 83 |
| G W Blathwayt | 83 | 1 | 82 | Rev M Woodward | 95 | 10 | 86 |
| E H Topham | 84 | 6 | 78 | J L Hamilton | 96 | 12 | 84 |
| J G Baker | 85 | 5 | 80 | O J Williams | 97 | 10 | 87 |
| S C Healing | 86 | 2 | 84 | J Grant Ferguson | 98 | 13 | 85 |
| J A Healing | 86 | 5 | 81 | C Johnson | 99 | 12 | 87 |
| Colonel Langdon | 87 | 7 | 80 | Captain Osborne | 99 | 13 | 86 |
| C Tillard | 88 | 3 | 85 | G Trower | 99 | 13 | 86 |
| A A Bourne | 88 | 12 | 76 | J M Horsfall | 100 | 16 | 84 |
| M Chester | 89 | 14 | 75 | E B Wethered | 103 | 19 | 84 |
| J B L Astley | 91 | 8 | 83 | J S Sargeaunt | 103 | 20 | 83 |
| G Chester | 93 | 8 | 85 | W Rayner | 107 | 16 | 91 |
A foursome competition was played on the same day, it was won by T K Ashton and J S Sargeaunt.
Result of the monthly bogey competition played on Saturday 12 July 1902; T K Ashton (+1), 4up; E H Jopham (5), all square; O J Williams (10), all square; H Jessop (16), 1down; Major J B L Astley (9), 4down; M W Chester (12), 4down; R L Townsend (18), 6down.
Result of the July 1902 monthly medal; H E Daubeney, 89-12-77; J B L Astley, 87-9-78; M W Chester, 90-12-78; T K Ashton, 77-+3-80; E H Topham, 84-4-80; G W Goodeve, 92-10-82; E B Wethered, 100-19-81; H Fane Gladwin, 107-24-83; R H Harvey, 115-20-95.
Below is the result of a ladies' match played at Barnwood in March 1903.
| Barnwood Golf Club | Cheltenham Golf Club | ||
| Miss Pearce | 1 | Miss Wiggin | 0 |
| Mrs H W Grimes | 1 | Miss Tuke | 0 |
| Miss Hibbard | 0 | Miss M Newall | 1 |
| Miss Stephens | 0 | Miss C L Pearce | 1 |
| Mrs C H Scott | 0 | Miss Healing | 1 |
| 2 | 3 |
The information below is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook. Interesting to note that the foundation date for the Cheltenham Golf Club is stated as being 1896. There is a separate entry for Cheltenham Ladies' Golf Club founded in 1891, did the ladies have their own course?
Cheltenham Golf Club; Instituted 1896; Number of members 242, ladies, 101; Hon. secretary - Col. F Stevenson, Worcester House, Cheltenham; Captain, Major General Cunningham; Entrance fee, £2/2s, ladies £1/1s and subs, £2 and £1; 18-holes; Professional A T Hobley; Best scratch score, Hon. O Scott, 74; Terms for visitors, 1s a round, 2s a day, 15s a month. The holes are situated at altitude varying from 700 to 1,000 ft above sea level, and the hazards are quarries, deep sunk roads, and cart ruts.
Below is the result of a match played on Cleeve Hill against Gloucester Golf Club on Thursday 15 March 1906.
| Cheltenham Golf Club | Gloucester Golf Club | ||
| T K Ashton (half) | 0 | E F T Fowler (half) | 0 |
| W Rayner | 0 | Rev F H Fowler | 1 |
| J G Baker | 1 | A Simpson | 0 |
| S H Healing | 1 | H Chadborn | 0 |
| G Chester | 1 | A C Burnett | 0 |
| H N Alston | 1 | T S Gibson | 0 |
| H Meates | 0 | E W Henley | 1 |
| H Jessop | 1 | G Hogarth | 0 |
| 5 | 2 |
Result of the 1907 May monthly medal; First (Senior) Division – Rev C W Bennett, 85-8-77; Captain Willes, 90-13-77; C E Tomlinson, 86-6-80; J S Sargeaunt, 89-8-81; O J Williams, 96-10-86; General Cunningham, 95-8-87; Colonel Willoughby, 95-8-87; T M Horsfall, 103-13-90; Second (Junior) Division – T L S Garrett, 99-20-79; W G Gurney, 102-22-80; E A Bennett, 101-16-85; P H Kenworthy, 102-16-86; Colonel Stevenson, 115-18-97.
The course layout prior to WW1. Thanks to Melvyn Morrow for the above image.
Result of a match played in May 1910 at Brockworth Park against Gloucester Golf Club (now defunct).
Cheltenham Chronicle Saturday 28 May 1910. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The Cleeve Hill Golf Course on a postcard dated 1913.
In 1914 the secretary was W Rayner, Cleeve Hill the professional was A J Hobley (1896 to 1933). Mmembership at this time of 263 gents and 170 ladies. Entry fee was £4/4/0, subs £2/2/0, country membership £1/8/0, ladies paid half. Amateur course record held by T K Ashton 74. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 8/- a week and £1 a month. Ladies’ fees, on introduction, were 1/- a day, 4/- a week and 10/- a month. The clubhouse was closed on Sunday and no play was allowed. The GWR station was 4 miles away and the MR station 5 ½ miles with an half hourly bus service from both.
Later layout of the course at the time of WW1.
Results from the Autumn Meeting played on Friday 23 and Saturday 24 September 1921; Turnbull Challenge Cup (gross) – Rev W H B Yerburgh, 75; Challenge Bowl (net) – W Blakey, 82-12-70. The next best score was J G Baker, 77-5-72. The Fane Gladwin Cup was won by D W Waylen, 87-13-74, Captain Tombs was next with 92-14-78. The President’s (Lord Eldon’s) Cup was won by J P Winterbotham, 75-3-72, J G Baker won the Gold Medal with a gross score of 74.
The picture below from the early 1920s shows the club steward, Mr Lediard, at the bar which was known as the "Alcohole"
Image courtesy of Melvyn Morrow.
In 1924 the secretary was H C Cope-Procter, Silverdale, Cleeve Hill the professional J A Hobley and the green-keeper J MacDonald. 18 holes with a membership of 256 gents and 201 ladies. Course records were, amateur Rev W H B Yerburgh 72, professional A Parker 67.
Below the professional match between Abe Mitchell and George Duncan played on the opening of the reconstructed course in April 1924.
From the Gloucestershire Echo Saturday 12 April 1924. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The picture below was taken at the exhibition match celebrating the opening of the reconstructed course. From left to right; George Duncan, H S B Tibbs (County Captain,) J H Baker, Abe Mitchell, W M Alford (Club Captain,) Capt. Lloyd (Club Secretary.)
Image courtesy of Melvyn Morrow.
Result of the Allen Challenge Bowl, in memory of the late Captain Oswald Allen, a former secretary of the club; J P Winterbotham, 79-3-76; R P Humphries, 77+1-78; K F Tarrant, 85-6-79; Dr. N H Pike, 93-12-81; R J Dennis, 99-17-82; Capt. W L Tombs, 99-16-83; A E Healing, 99-16-83; H B Yerburgh, 100-17-83; Dr. J R Collins, 100-17-83; P Haddock, 91-7-84; J M Beesley, 95-11-84; Dr. A G Forster, 90-6-84; A E Carden, 106-21-85; Capt. W C Steel, 95-10-85; H C Cope-Procter, 99-14-85; F W Hands, 97-11-86.
Result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 4 October 1924; H B Prettejohn, 77-2-75; J P Winterbotham, 78-2-76; Col E S Gale, 90-14-76; H B Yerburgh, 95-18-77; J Rupert Collins, 94-16-78; H C Cope-Proctor, 91-11-80; J G Baker, 90-8-82; K A Woodward, 91-9-82; C Thornber, 95-12-83.
Result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 7 March 1925; J P Winterbotham, 84-2-82; K F Tarrant, 88-6-82; W M Alford, 94-10-84; H B Yerburgh, 106-18-88; Howard Green, 112-22-90.
Result of the May 1925 monthly bogey; A E Healing, 4up; A Peebles, 2up; C E Tomlinson, 2up; K F Tarrant, all square; R J Dennis, all square; L G Badham, 1down; F F Leaver, 1down; J P Winterbotham, 2down; H C Cope-Proctor, 2down; Dr N H Pike, 2down; C Thornber, 3down; A B Stewart, 4down; W S Whitehouse, 7down; N Harene, 8down.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s the secretary and professional were as 1924. The green-keeper was now P A Murrell. Course records were, amateur J H Baker 70, professional A Mitchell 71.
On Wednesday 18 June 1930 H P Bazeley (Cheltenham Golf Club) won the County Championship at Cleeve Hill with scores of 73 and 72 (total 145). The Cheltenham Club also won the Team Championship, represented by; J H Baker, 77, E F T Fowler, 76 and H P Bazeley, 72 for a total of 225.
From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Membership - gents, 170; ladies, 120; hon. secretary - H G BIllson, C.I.E., Bayshill Mansions, Bayshill Road, Cheltenham; professional, A J Hobley; green-keeper, P W Murrell; course records - amateur, J H Baker, 70; professional, Abe Mitchell, 71.
In 1935 the secretary was G S Magill, Ivy Bank, Cleeve Hill the professional was W East the green-keeper was still W Murrell. Membership had reduced to 170 gents and 120 ladies. Visitors’ fees were gents, 2/6d a round, 4/- a day, 10/- a week and 25/- a month. Ladies paid 2/-, 7/6d and £1 respectively. Sunday play allowed.
The sad end to a once flourishing club. It was reported in December 1935 that "Cheltenham Golf Club, the oldest in Gloucestershire, have decided to close down on 31 December 1935."
From the Cheltenham Chronicle Saturday 14 December 1935. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Postcard by B & Ds “Kromo” series 31124, Picture Postcard Pioneers, London E. C.
Cheltenham Golf Club, Cleeve Hill had disappeared by 1935. Postcard by Valentines.
SECTION TWO - CHELTENHAM TOWN GOLF CLUB/COTSWOLD HILLS GOLF CLUB; 1902 -1970s.
It was reported in February 1902 that it was proposed to form a Cheltenham Town Golf Club to play over the Cleeve Links by arrangement with Cheltenham Golf Club.
The annual meeting of the Cheltenham Town Golf Club was held at the Belle Vue Hotel in January 1904, J T Lefeaux in the chair. The following officers were elected; Captain, G Grieve; hon. auditor, G H Bayley; hon. treasurer, R J Webb; hon. secretary, H A Webb; committee - H Billings, J T Lefeaux, C Parsons, F H Rea, H Soper and J F Steele. It was found that as the result of two years experience that the similarity in names of the "Cheltenham Golf Club" and the "Cheltenham Town Golf Club" had lead to some confusion and it was resolved to change the name to the "Cotswold Hills Golf Club."
Result of a match played on Cleeve Hill against Barnwood Golf Club in March 1904.
| Cotswold Hills Golf Club | Barnwood Golf Club | ||
| G Grieve | 1 | S Healing | 0 |
| J F Steele | 1 | H Scott | 0 |
| H A Webb | 0 | T W Hibbard | 1 |
| L Bayley | 1 | S R Hibbard | 0 |
| C Parsons | 0 | E Fowler | 1 |
| H Soper | 1 | H Stephens | 0 |
| W Banks | 0 | H Kingsford | 1 |
| F Norman | 1 | C Fluck | 0 |
| W Collard | 0 | Dr. Henley | 1 |
| F Davy | 0 | W Wood | 1 |
| H Billings | 0 | F Stout | 1 |
| 5 | 6 |
Result of a match played at Churchdown against Chosen Hill Golf Club (now defunct) in April 1904.
| Chosen Hill Golf Club | Cotswold Hills Golf Club | ||
| H Langley-Smith | 0 | G Grieve | 8 |
| J F Steele | 2 | H A Webb | 0 |
| E T Hancocks | 0 | A Lamb | 3 |
| Rev. E B James | 0 | L Bayley | 1 |
| R Fordham | 3 | H Dicks | 0 |
| W B Wood (halved) | 0 | C Parsons (halved) | 0 |
| E J Lunnon | 8 | F W Davey | 0 |
| H Collier | 1 | H E Billings | 0 |
| A Johnstone (halved) | 0 | R Webb (halved) | 0 |
| H J Berry (halved) | 0 | F A Faulkner (halved) | 0 |
| 14 | 12 |
There is no entry for Cotswold Hills Golf Club in the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook.
Report on the annual Meeting in February 1905.
Cheltenham Chronicle Saturday 25 February 1905. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of the September 1905 monthly medal for the silver spoon; J Rylands, 95-20-75; L Bayley, 93-10-83; H Swift, 102-18-84; S Guilmant, 98-12-86; H Webb, 96-8-88; Rev. Bankes-James, 107-12-95.
Opening of the Cotswold Hills clubhouse in September 1905.
Cheltenham Examiner Wednesday 27 September 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of a match played at Churchdown in April 1908.
Gloucester Journal Saturday 18 April 1908. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Results from the spring meeting in May 1910.
Cheltenham Looker-On Saturday 28 May 1910. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Presentation to the long serving captain in June 1910.
Stroud News and Gloucestershire Advertiser Friday 1 July 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Report on the annual meeting in February 1919.
Gloucester Echo Friday 21 February 1919. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Competition result from February 1923.
Gloucester Echo Monday 26 February 1923. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Report on the annual meeting in March 1926.
Gloucester Echo Saturday 13 March 1926. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of a match played on the Worcester City course in July 1927.
Evesham Standard & West Midlands Observer Saturday 23 July 1927. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the annual meeting in March 1929.
Gloucester Echo Saturday 16 March 1929. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Competition result from April 1932.
Gloucester Echo Thursday 21 April 1932. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of a match played at Filton in May 1932
Gloucester Echo Monday 9 May 1932. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Cotswold Hills Golf Club; membership of 270; secretary - A L Morris, Kohima, Cromwell Road, Cheltenham; professional, A F Parker; visitors; gents - 2s/6d a day, 10s a week; ladies - 2s a day, 7s/6d a week.
Competition result from February 1934.
Gloucester Echo Monday 12 February 1934. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Match played in March 1936.
Gloucester Echo Monday 16 March 1936. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The Bystander Wednesday 28 September 1938.Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of a match played on Cleeve Hill against Redditch Golf Club in September 1945.
| Cotswold Hills Golf Club | Redditch Golf Club | ||
| Major and Parker (6 and 5) | 1 | Muton and Nash | 0 |
| Jones and Barnett (3 and 2) | 1 | Sandilands and Young | 0 |
| Hamilton and Davies (2 and 1) | 1 | Court and Webb | 0 |
| Webb and Watson (5 and 4) | 1 | Hodson and Hales | 0 |
| Marshall and Southern (halved) | 0 | Sealey and Thorington (halved) | 0 |
| Brant and Frame (1up) | 1 | Sandilands and Court | 0 |
| Jewell and Sheen (2up) | 1 | Wedgbury and Clarke | 0 |
| Morris and Mason (3 and 2) | 1 | Heath and Pethard | 0 |
| Lister and Pockett (7 and 6) | 1 | Crook and Mills | 0 |
| Stidworthy and Sims (4 and 2) | 1 | Smith and Hemming | 0 |
| Simpson and McKenna (5 and 4) | 1 | Bott and Bennett | 0 |
| 10 | 0 |
From the 1947 Golfer's Handbook; Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Cleeve Hill; Membership 450; Secretary - Capt. J R Nelson, 18 Aulaby Court, Cheltenham; professional, N R McDonald; green-keeper, H O Smith; course records - amateur, W S Wise, 66; professional - A F Parker, 72; visitors - 3s/6d a round weekdays; 7s/6d weekends.
Below the course layout from the early 1950s. The Cheltenham Golf Club had long gone but the Cotswold Hills Golf Club would continue to play on Cleeve Hill until the 1970s.
The entry from the 1975 Golfer's Handbook (just prior to the move to its current location); Cotswold Hills Golf Club, Cleeve Hill; Founded 1902; Membership 700; secretary, H R Lavington; professional, N Boland; 18-holes measured 5,912 yards with a SSS of 68; amateur course record - J H Davis, 65.
Location of the Cleeve Hill course.