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Wallingford Golf Club, Oxfordshire. (1907 - 1926)

Public Meeting in November 1907.

Berks and Oxon Advertiser Friday 15th November 1907. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was reported in February 1908 that “The process of laying out the ground for the Golf Club has been proceeding during the past fortnight and it will soon be in readiness for play.

The second monthly medal competition was played on Saturday 29thAugust 1908. There were nine entries, leading scores; L Palmer, 76-3-73; W G Curtis, 90-12-78; A C Arding, 95-15-80; Rev A H Caldicott, 99-19-80; G F Slade, 102-18-84; P C A Slade, 94-10-84. The ladies’ medal competition was fixed for Saturday 5^th September. A club competition was to take place on Saturday 12^th and a competition for members of Ewelme, Goring & Streatley, Henley, Peppard and Reading on the 19^th September. The course was reported to be in “capital order” despite the recent wet weather.

The first club competition took place in fine weather on Saturday September 19th 1908. Result of the morning stroke competition, as follows; W G Curtis, 82-12-70; S H Burnett, 80-8-72; G F Slade, 93-18-75; F E Dore, 92-16-76; L Palmer, 81-3-78; W Pither, 105-24-81. The prize given by Mr Lester Palmer for the best score made by a player with a handicap of 24 was won by Mr W Pither. In the afternoon bogey competition W G Curtis was again the winner finishing all square, S H Burnett was again runner-up with a score of 2down. The prizes were given by the Rev F T Stewart Dyer and Mr G L Venables respectively. 

In October 1908 Mr Lester Palmer, playing alongside S H Burnett, set a new course record, as follows; Out; 4,5,4,4,3,5,4,4,3 = 36; Home - 5,5,3,4,2,3,3,5,3 = 33. The bogey for the course was 76.

Result of a match against Ewelme (now defunct) in October 1908.

Following is the result of the June 1909 monthly medal; L palmer, 73-1-72; Rev F T Stewart Dyer, 96-20-76; A C Arding, 92-15-77; C T Rogerson, 108-30-78; W Pither, 104-22-82. The following also competed; E P Cavell, E L Dunn and H W Wells.

The sixth qualifying competition for the Venables Cup was played on Wednesday 12th April 1911, result; F K Weedon, 91-20-71; G F Slade, 85-12-73; Major W Pennefather, 91-18-73; W G Curtis, 80-6-74; P C A Slade, 89-9-80; A C Arding, 98-15-83; E P Cavell, 103-20-83. The seventh qualifying competition for the Venables Cup was played on Wednesday 27^th April, result; F K Weedon, 86-15-71; E L Dunn, 89-18-71; L Palmer, 79-9-76; P C A Slade, 85-9-76; A C Arding, 93-15-78; Mrs Palmer, 100-18-82; H W Wells, 102-18-84.

Below is the result of a match played on Wednesday 15th May 1912 against Wallingford Brewery. Several of the matches were close with a couple going to the final green. 

In 1914 the secretary was P C A Slade. The professional and green-keeper was T Whitehorn. A 9-hole course measuring 2,046 yards with holes varying in length from 126 yards to 404 yards, the bogey score was 34. It was situated on the banks of the Thames. There was a membership of 60. Entry fees for gents were £1/1/0 and ladies 10/6. Subs for gents £2/2/0 and ladies £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month. Sunday play was allowed without caddies. The station was ½ mile from the course.

The match-play competition for the Captain’s Cup, donated by S H Burnett, was played in July 1914, result as follows; First Round – A C Arding (16) w.o W G Curtis (12); Second Round – E L Dunn (17) beat A C Arding 1up; E Brasher (16) beat C T Rogerson (18) 5&4; E C Walter (18) beat S Holder (18) 3&2; P C A Salde (11) beat H W Wells (18) at the nineteenth. In the final P C A Slade best E Brasher 3&2.  

Selling off the assets in December 1915.

Berks and Oxon Advertiser Friday 24th December 1915.

At a meeting in January 1921 it was decided, if possible, to restart the club provided enough people came forward to be members. At present 40 people had applied, not including ladies. It was hoped that the course could be put in order by March. The annual subscriptions would be Gentlemen £3/3s; Ladies £2/2s. Applications were also invited for a groundsman to; Cecil Hatt and F C Ponking, joint hon. secretaries. 

It was reported in April 1921 that the course would be open on May 1st. Fees should be paid to Dr. S Holder, hon. secretary, or F C Ponking, hon. treasurer.

Results of stroke competitions played in October 1921; Gentlemen (23 entries) - H A Wright, 82-4-78 and A J Franklin, 92-14-78 tied; E T Davis, 94-15-79; L Evans, 93-12-79; J Cooper, 99-18-81; J B Simmonds, 92-10-82; F K Weedon, 90-8-82; Ladies - Mrs G L Venables, 103-15-81; Miss V Rogerson, 115-12-103; Mrs C Hatt, 122-18-104; Mrs C T Rogerson, 122-17-105; Mrs Caspersz, 116-8-108.

It was reported in November 1921 that the club was flourishing.

The annual meeting was held in the Town Hall in May 1922, G L Venables in the chair. The following officers were elected; President, G L Venables; captain, P A C Slade; hon. secretary and treasurer, Dr. S E Holder; committee - E Brasher, W G Curtis, C Hatt, E C Ponking, C T Rogerson, F Weedon.

Result of a match played against Wallingford Corporation in April 1925.

The annual general meeting was held in the Council Chambers in May 1925, G L Venables presided. It was reported that the past year had been most disappointing with continuing decrease in membership.  

The club is wound up in April 1926.

Berks and Oxon Advertiser Friday 12th March 1926.

The death was announced in July 1930 of the Rev. Frederick Thomas Stewart-Dyer, he was a founder member of the now defunct Wallingford Golf Club.  

Course location; Wallingford Golf Club had disappeared by 1930.

Grid reference SU60970,88590, co-ordinates 460970,188590.

Thanks to Mark Hughesdon for his help with both the Ewelme and Wallingford clubs.