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Royal Leamington Spa Ladies' Golf Club. (1890 - WW1)

Founded 1890. 

The club was playing under the name of The Royal Leamington Spa Ladies Golf Club in the early years . The "Royal" prefix disappeared in the early 1900s. The club played on the Campion Hill course until 1897. The ladies' club moved to the new Lillington Road course in 1898. 

Below the fist competition played in November 1890 on the Campion Hills course.

From the Leamington Spa Courier Saturday 29 November 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Entry from the Golfing Annual Vol. V - 1891-92 - "Royal Leamington Spa Ladies' Golf Club, Instituted April 1890; Entrance Fee, 2 shillings and sixpence; Annual Subscription, 7s/6d; Number of members, 48; President, Mrs Gaitskell; Secretary - Miss Saunders, Endwood, Holly Walk; ; Green - Campion Hills; Committee - Miss M Jones, Miss Sidebottom, Miss P Stanger-Leathes, Miss L Sidebottom, Mrs Maillard, Miss Mitchell, Miss M Saunders, Mrs Carson, Miss Hinks and Mrs Horsfall. The Badger Dish, a Silver Challenge Trophy, and the club prize, are played for monthly under handicap.

The monthly competition for the Badger silver challenge fruit dish took place on Wednesday 4 February 1891. Result; Miss Oldfield, 102-25-77; Miss Maud Saunders, 100-17-83; Mrs Gaitskell, 93-6-87; Miss Saunders, 87 scratch; Miss Mitchell, 119-18-101; Miss Dutton, 138-33-105.

On Wednesday the 18 February 1891 the ladies played for the monthly Mayor’s prize. It was won by Miss Maud Saunders, 95-15-80. Other scores; Miss Oldfield, 103-17-86; Miss Neva Saunders, 110-20-90; Mrs Gaitskell, 98-6-92; Miss Nina Dutton, 139-33-106.

Result of a match against Kenilworth Ladies played on the Campion Hill course on Monday 8 June 1891.

Mrs Flavel with a score of 105-25-80 won the Badger silver fruit dish monthly competition played on Wednesday 10 June 1891. Mrs Flavel also won the Mayor’s cup on the same day with a net 69.

Result of a match played on the Campion Hills Course against North Warwickshire Ladies' Golf Club in May 1892.

Result of the monthly competition played in November 1893; Miss E A Whieldon, 78 gross; Miss N Saunders, 94 gross; Miss Oldfield, 113 gross; Miss Morgan, 118 gross; no returns - Miss M Saunders, Mrs Carson. 

In January 1895 funds were being raised for providing a new pavilion for the Ladies' club on the Campion Hill.

Result from the autumn meeting foursomes played on the Campion Hill course in October 1896; Mrs Reade and Miss P Wall, 94-19-75; Miss Wall and Miss G Jephson, 90-9-81; Mrs Christie and Miss I Jones, 102-19-83; Miss Humphries and Miss Gem, 89-5-84; Misses M and L Acheson Grey, 92-8-84; Mrs Gaitskill and Miss H Allen, 98-13-85; Miss Turner and Miss N Acheson Grey, 106-15-91; Miss Cambers and Mrs Turner, 99-7-92; Miss Christie and Miss Edmunds, 122-20-102; Mrs Horsfall and Miss Morgan, 123-20-103; Miss Sidebottom and Mrs Carter, 119-15-104.

A mixed foursomes was also played in October 1896 with Mr and Mrs Gaitskell making a great score. Completing the first round over the gentlemen's course in 52, and the second round over the ladies' course in 35, total 88.

In March 1897 a mixed foursomes was played, leading scores; Miss C Allen and Dr. Kemp-Bourne, 72-9-63; Miss Parratt and Mr Gilmore, 81-17-64; Miss G Tapson and Mr A Tapson, 76-5-71; Miss M Roe and Mr Corbett, 89-18-71.

The Ladies' Club move to the  Lillington Road course in March 1898. The course was laid out under the direction of Dr. Kemp Bourne.

Leamington, Warwick, Kenilworth & District Daily Circular Tuesday 8 March 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the mixed foursomes played on the new course in March 1898.

Leamington Courier Saturday 12th March 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Results from the autumn meeting in October 1898.

Leamington,Warwick, Kenilworth & District Daily Circular Tuesday 11 October 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match played at Lillington against North Warwickshire Ladies' in November 1898.

The competition for the associate's club prize took place in a snow storm in February 1899, only four gentlemen put in an appearance; Mr T Kinmond, 77-5-72; Mr Etheridge, 78-5-73; Rev. H Suttery, 85-6-79; Mr McKellar, 88-1-87.

It was reported in November 1899 that the Lillington Road course was to be extended.

Details below of a mixed foursomes match between the Captain and Secretaries teams played at the end of March 1900. The match was played over the new, extended, course.

Results from the spring meeting April 1901.

Leamington,Warwick, Kenilworth & District Daily Circular Wednesday 17 April 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the Leamington Ladies’ (Royal prefix has disappeared) spring meeting, played in April 1903; Miss Wall, 87-14-73; Miss P Wall, 84-7-77; Miss Craddock, 85-8-77; Miss Parratt, 91-14-77; Miss M Morris, 92-15-77; Mrs French, 108-29-77; Mrs Wall, 114-37-77; Mrs Reade, 97-16-81;Miss D Hiron, 101-16-85.  

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Hon. secretary - M E Wall, Hangar Lodge, Leamington; captain, Miss Craddock; entrance fee nil; subs - members 15 shillings; associates 10s; nine-holes; terms for visitors, 1s a day, 5s a month. The course is situated on Kenilworth Road. 

From 1906 to 1908 the secretary was Miss Chambers, 20 Lilligton Road, Leamington and the captain Miss Humphreys. There was a membership of 100 at this time. Entry fee was 10/-  subs were £1 for a single lady member, two or more in a family 15/- each, gentlemen associates 15/-. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 2/6 a week and 10/- a month.

From 1911 to 1913 the secretary was Miss H Cave, 44 Heath Terrace, Leamington the professional was Andrew Ball. In 1913 membership was 130 and visitors’ fees were now 1/6 a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month.

Location of the Royal Leamington Spa Ladies course. Grid reference SP32235,66910, co-ordinates 432235,266910.