The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Shifnal Golf Club, Park Lane Course. (Pre-WW1 - 1965)

There is evidence of a pre-WW1 nine-hole course at Lodge Hill.

The current club was founded in 1929 with a a 10-hole course at Lodge Hill/Brimstree Hill, Park Lane. The course was extended to 18-holes in 1939. It reverted to 10-holes following WWII.

The club moved to its present location at Decker Hill in 1965.

The Golf Course, Shifnal, undated postcard of the course at Lodge Hill. Authors Collection.

It was reported in the Birmingham Daily Post in March 1912 that Huntsmen with the Albrighton Hounds had "crossed the Shifnal sewage works and the golf links with Lodge Hill on the left."

Below is the result of a match played at Walsall against Shifnal in May 1914. 

Ladies' Match played in April 1934.

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 27 April 1934. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played in July 1934. 

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 3 August 1934. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 23 August 1935. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 29 May 1936. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 31 July 1936. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played on the new Lilleshall Hall golf course in July 1937.

Wellington Journal Saturday 31 July 1937. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In September 1938 the Council approved plans for the erection of a clubhouse for Shifnal Golf Club.

It was reported in May 1939 that the course had been extended to 18-holes. A nine-hole course had existed for many years; in early 1938 a further 40 acres of land had been acquired; the course measured 5,300 yards. The opening of the new course was celebrated with a match in which Dr Tweddell, of Stourbridge partnered Stanley Lunt of Moseley, against C Stowe of Penn, and K R Frazier, of Chadwick Manor. Tweddell and Lunt won by 2&1. It was also reported that there had been a substantial increase in club membership, full report below.

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 19 May 1939. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Wellington Journal Saturday 8 July 1939. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the Wellington Journal Saturday 18 May 1940 - "Shifnal Golf Club Annual Meeting - The annual meeting of the club was held on Wednesday. The statement of accounts showed a favourable position and was unanimously adopted. It was stated that the club had decided to turn over part of the course for agricultural purposes. It had also been agreed to allow members of H.M. Forces to play on the course free of cost during the war. The future of the club was discussed and high hopes were entertained of being able to carry on. Mr E Margerrison was elected to succeed Mr F M Silvers-Kent as captain of the club. Mr W C Meynell was elected vice-captain, and Mr T C Goddard, hon. secretarry; Committee - B P Littleford, P N Wadlow, F S K Lloyd, A S Grateley, F M S Kent. H Jones, Mrs Littleford and Dr Mitchell."

Wolverhampton Express and Star Wednesday 22 September 1943. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1947 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 90; Hon. secretary - P N Wadlow, Wingfield, Shifnal; Professional and green-keeper, G F Reynolds; Visitors, 2s/6d a day, weekends, 3s a day.

It was reported in September 1949 that Habberley professional, P R Rudge, was leaving to take up a similar position at the Shifnal Golf Club.

In the early 1950s the secretary was P N Wadlow, Wingfield, Shifnal, the professional and green-keeper was P R Rudge. Club membership of 170. Course records; amateur - G D Nook, 74; professional - G F Reynolds, 68. It was recorded as being a 10-hole course with a Par of 74 and SSS of 73. Visitors' fees were 2s/6d a day; 3s Saturday and 5s Sundays. 

Newport & Market Drayton Advertiser Friday 30 March 1951. Content provided by Shropshire Council.

Newport & Market Drayton Advertiser Friday 7 March 1952. Content provided by Shropshire Council.

Matches played in July 1955.

Wellington Journal Saturday 9 July 1955. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Match played in April 1956.

Bridgnorth Journal Friday 27 April 1956. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in May 1957.

Wellington Journal Saturday 18 May 1957. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In March 1958 Albert Sarson was appointed professional at Shifnal, he was previously professional at the Atherstone Golf Club. 

Result of the November 1958 medal; H R Phillips, 64; W C Minton, 67; C F Brown, 68; H W Pugh, 69; A Riley, 70; L A Clifford, H Oldfield, J Hatton, 74.

From the 1961 Golfer's Handbook; Brimstree Hill; Founded 1929; Membership 220; Hon. secretary - G D Nock, 28 Shrewsbury Road, Shifnal; Professional and green-keeper, J Goodwin; Course records; Amateur - R P Yates, 69; Professional - J Goodwin, 67; 9-holes, 5,639 yards, SSS 69; Visitors, 5s a day, week-ends and bank holidays, 7s/6d.

Result of the March 1962 monthly medal; Division 1; W Robinson, 83-13-70; J Darley, 78-7-71; C Stowe, 71 scratch; C F Brown, 86-14-72; G B Gray, 88-13-75; G Dalton, 88-12-76; Division 2; F L Rose, 84-24-60; H V Mansell, 83-17-66; F Williams, 87-17-70; E J Evetts, 88-17-71; L A Clifford, 89-17-72; H Green, 95-22-73.

Golfer's Handbook 1964; Shifnal Golf Club, Brimstree Hill; Founded 1929; Membership 220; Hon. secretary - G D Nock, Oakley, Weston Heath, Sherrifhales; Professional and green-keeper, J Goodwin; Course records; Amateur; C Stowe, 64; Professional; J Goodwin, 67; 9-holes, 5,639 yards, SSS 68; Visitors, 7s/6d a day, Saturdays, 10s; No visitors on Sundays.

Result of the Coronation Cup played in August 1965; J Darley, J Whitehouse, 67; B Chavasse, F Williams, R Maclachlan, C Maclachlan, D Clarkson, J Evans, 69.

Report on the opening of the new course and clubhouse at Decker Hill in October 1965. 

Birmingham Daily Post Monday 25 October 1965. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Location of the earlier Shifnal course at Lodge Hill.