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Worcester City Golf Club, Tolladine Road. (1898 - 1927)

The club was founded 1898.

A meeting of the recently formed Worcester City Golf Club was held in the Guild Hall on Tuesday 10 January 1899. The Mayor, Mr J A Steward, presided at the well attended meeting. Mr A Milne, temporary secretary, announced that the services of a professional had been secured, the greens were marked out, and a “generous friend” of the club had provided them with a set of rings and flags. It was decided to ask the Earl of Beauchamp to become president, and the Mayor, the Hon. G H Allsopp, M.P., W Holland, A C Cherry and C W Dyson Perrins to be vice-presidents. Mr H W Spreckley was elected captain, and the following were elected to the committee; Rev P Norton, Mr Page, Mr Walker, Mr Olver, R Clarke, H Oram, L Thomas and W Binns. Mr Milne was unanimously elected secretary and Mr Stephens of the National Provincial Bank, treasurer. Mr Spreckley stated that 66 members had already paid their guinea subscription and 81 names had been given in. At his suggestion, it was decided to extend the time for receiving subscriptions until the end of the month, after which time an entrance fee of £1/1/0 would be payable in addition to the subs. Ladies would be admitted, annual subs 10/6. All clubs and balls could be purchased from the professional, Mr Strachan.  

Below are results from the first meeting played in August 1899.

From the Worcestershire Chronicle Saturday 12 August 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a club match played in April 1900 at Kidderminster.

Result of a match played at Worcester against Droitwich in March 1900.

Result of a club match played away at the Barnwood Golf Club, Gloucester, in November 1901. Barnwood had a runaway victory in the match. The only winners for Worcester were J G Baker and H B Howard.Worcester team and scores as follows (scores based on number of holes won in each match); J G Baker 1, H W Spreckley 0, A Graham 0, A G Spreckley 0, H B Howard 4, T H Gallaher 0, S Southall 0, W B Hulme 0, P Smith 0, J Walker 0.

Report on the annual meeting in November 1902.

Worcestershire Chronicle Saturday 8 February 1902.Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Leading scores in the Challenge Cup competition played in June 1902; H B Howard, 82-8-74; W G Blair, 89-15-74; J Custance, 90-16-74; W B Hume, 94-20-74.

In February 1903 the Worcester City Club played a home club match against Droitwich, the home team ran out clear winners. The Worcester team were as follows; H W Spreckley, A G Spreckley, W M Binns, G D Hancock, F J Adams, W B Hulme and H P Smith.

Entry from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1899; Number of members 115; 60 ladies; secretary - Geo. D Hancock, the Cedars, Fernhill Heath, Worcester; Captain, V Eccles; Entrance Fee, £1/1s, Subs, £1/1s,; Ladies 10s/6d; Nine-hole course; Professional, W J Cox; Terms for visitors - 1 shilling a day, 4s a week, 10s a month, £1/1s for six months. The links are situated on high ground and are rather hilly, and the view is very fine . The bunkers are hedges and wire. The length of the course is about 2,540 yards.

The Ordnance Survey Map below from the 1900s shows the clubhouse/course on Tolladine Road.

O.S. Map Revised 1901 to 1902; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1905}.

Result of a club match played at Gloucester in April 1905 against Worcester.

Result of a ladies’ match played at Barnwood, Gloucester in December 1905 against Worcester. 

Report on the Annual meeting in November 1908.

Birmingham Daily Gazette Thursday 6 February 1908. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played at Kidderminster in March 1909.

In 1910 the professional was William Strachan, Tolladine Road, Worcester.

In 1912 the secretary was F R Davey, Gorse House, Tolladine Road.

Result of the May 1912 monthly medal; F C Jones, 86-10-76; J R Anthony, 97-20-77; C L Sheppard, 95-16-79; R J Castley, 92-12-80; F J Adams, 86-5-81; J W Twinberrow, 97-16-81; W L Griffiths, 91-10-91; R Clarke, 94-12-82; F R Davey, 87-1-86; A A Annis, 105-20-85.

In 1914 the secretary was F R Davey, 6 Britannia Square and the professional W J Cox. An 18-hole course situated on high ground with fine views. Length of course was about 5,350yds. There was a membership of 165 gents and 60 ladies. Entry fees were £1/1/0. Subs for gents were £1/11/6 and ladies £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month. Sunday play was allowed without caddies. Visitors were allowed on Sundays. The station at Shrub Hill ½ mile away.

In 1923 the secretary was E R Edwards, Mount Elbury, Worcester and the professional Walter James Cox, 34 Ombersley Road.  An 18-hole course although 9 were temporary closed, probably required for the war effort. There was a membership of 150. Visitors’ fees on introduction were 2/6 a day, and 10/- a week. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.

Home match against Tewkesbury Golf Club in November 1923.

In 1924 the secretary was Arthur Alfred Annis, 115 Droitwich Road.

Result of a match played at Tewkesbury Golf Club (now defunct) in March 1925.

Towards the end for Worcester City Golf Club in 1926 the secretary was R Randall, 105 Bath Street, Worcester, telephone 555. The professional T Whiting. 18-holes with a membership of 270. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, weekend and Bank Holiday 2/6 a round and 3/6 a day. Local hotel was the Hop Market.

Result of a match against Cotswold Hills Golf Club played in July 1927

Evesham Standard & West Midlands Observer Saturday 23 July 1927. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

As Worcester City disappears in the late 1920s, Tolladine Golf Club comes on to the scene on the same course (see separate entry.)

Above, location of the Worcester City and later the Tolladine course.

Below is a Google Map showing the Tolladine course location.