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Newbold Comyn Golf Course, Leamington Spa. (1973 – 2017/18)

First competitors on the municipal golf course at Newbold Comyn in October 1973; (left to right) Don Knight, the professional; Alderman Marshall Kerry Town Clerk; James Stobart; Mayor, Councillor Reg Hopkins.

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 19 October 1973. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The following is an extract from a report that accompanied the above picture -"The Mayor said Newbold Comyn Farm, bought by the council 25 years ago extended to 390 acres, all of which would eventually be devoted to leisure of some kind or another. During the past two seasons we have planted 30,000 trees on the Comyn and many more will follow. The golf course, he said covered 150 acres and had 18-holes. It was over 6,270 yards long and designed in two loops of nine and a scratch score of 70. There was also a nine-hole pitch and putt course."  

Proposed formation of a club in February 1974.

Coventry Evening Telegraph Friday 25 January 1974. With thanks to Trinity Mirror. Digitised by Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited. All rights reserved.

It was reported in July 1974 that the Comryn Golf Club had gone from strength to strength and boasts a membership of nearly 200. Starting next month the club will run monthly medal competitions. A 200 year old farmhouse had been restored and converted into a centre for golfers. The 500,000 conversion opened this week.

The winner of the September 1974 monthly medal was Peter Corlett; runner-up, R A Horswood; third, P Woodhouse.

From the 1975 Golfer’s Handbook; Founded 1973, Public Course; professional, Don Knight; 18-holes, 6,271 yards, SSS 70; visitors, 50p weekdays, 80p weekend.

Result of the first Stableford competition played by Newbold Comryn Golf Club in March 1975; A Parker, 41 points; C R Lloyd, 36; P Maher, 32; P Corlett, 32; R Woodhouse, 31; R J Wallington, 30.

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 31 October 1975. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In March 1976 a project to convert a former cowshed into the “nineteenth hole” for the Newbold Comryn Golf Club was agreed to by Warwick District Council.

At the annual meeting in October in October 1979 Roy Bradley was confirmed as captain; Vice-captain, Bob Bousie; Bob Brown and Ted Ireland were voted on to the committee; Mike Kemp and Don Simpson were re-elected chairman and treasurer for the third successive year; Mark Gillespie was secretary for the fifth consecutive season. 

Prize presentation in November 1981.

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 13 November 1981. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in May 1895 that the junior membership had fallen from 35 to six. It was decided to reduce fees for juniors to £1.25 on weekdays and £2.60 at weekends.

Competitions played in June 1987.

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 12 June 1987. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbooks 1982 - 1988; Membership 280 (1982), 380 (1988); secretary, M Gillespie (1982), A Pierce (1988); professional, Don Knight; 18-holes, 6,271 yards, 70; course records – amateur; G Knight, 70; professional, S Hutchinson, 70; visitors, £1.80, £2.40 (1982), £2.90, £3.90 (1988).

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 6 August 1993. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 21 November 1997. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1998 Golf Guide; Professional, Don Knight; founded, 1972; 18-hole parkland course, 6,259 yards, SSS 70; visitors, £8, (£10.50).

Celebrating 25 years in 1998.

Coventry Evening Telegraph Saturday 3 October 1998. Image © Reach plc.

Coventry Evening Telegraph Friday 9 October 1998. Image © Reach plc.

Leamington Spa Courier Friday 28 November 2003. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Guide 2004; Founded 192; professional, R Carvell; 18-hole parkland course, 6,259 yards, SSS 70; visitors, £8.75, (£11.75).

Golfer’s Handbook 2006; Membership 191; secretary, C V Baker; 18-holes, 6,315 yards, SSS 70; visitors, £8.50, (£13.10).

Golfer’s Handbook 2009;secretaries, L Ryan and I Shepherd; professional, David Playdon; 18-holes, 6,315 yards, SSS 70; visitors, £11.50, (£14.50). A nine-hole pitch and putt was also listed.

From 2012 to 2014 the secretary was I Shepherd.

The club continued to be listed in the Golfer's Handbook until it ceased publication in 2015.

Thanks to Richard Anderson for his help with the history and for the following – “This was Warwick District Council's municipal course covering 18-holes, from the white tees 6315 yards, par 71. Located on Willes Road a mile and a half to the east of Leamington Spa. The closure of the course was controversial with the Council's contractor (Mack Golf) breaching their contract by closing it suddenly on the last day of 2017. Mack Golf  went into voluntary liquidation in October 2018. Several courses were lost due to the liquidation but some thankfully survived. I played the first 9-holes one morning in 2001, I remember the 8th and some surrounding holes had rollercoaster fairways which added some interesting undulations. By all accounts it was an enjoyable test.”

Course scorecards.