The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Durham City Golf Club. (1887 - 1974)

Founded in 1887.

In the early years it often appeared as Durham Golf Club.

The first course opened at Pinkerknowle in 1888, originally a six-hole course it was extended to nine-holes in 1893. The club continued at Pinkerknowle until 1927 when it moved to Mount Oswald.

Just before 1974 the landowner at Mount Oswald wanted to sell the land for housing development and gave notice to DCGC to quit (hence the move to Littleburn). The owner was unable to obtain planning permission for building, so effectively told DCGC they didn’t have to move after all. However, DCGC took the decision to move to the new site.

From The Golfing Annual 1888/89.

Result of the Easter handicap at Durham Golf Club played in April 1889; C Fogg-Elliott, 149-50-99; S Osborn, 113-10-103; G C Roberts, 133-30-103; A M Hutchinson, 133-30-103; J D C Paynter, 111-5-106; O F N Treadwell, 119-13-106; J Hutchinson, 133-18-115; G P Blagdon, 131-15-116; A McKinlay, 136-18-118; R B Robson, 140-140-18-122. 

On Thursday 25 March 1897 the first match played between Seaton and Durham took place on the Seaton links, result below.

From The 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Membership of 70; Hon. secretary – M Hutchinson, Elvet Hill, Durham; Captain – E S Robson; Entrance fee 10s/6d and Subs £1/1s; Nine-holes; Professional Record – J E Hill, 81; Amateur Record – E S Robson, 81; Terms for visitors; three days free, 2s/6d a week. The course is situated on high ground, about a mile and half from Durham. From the first tee, the highest part of the course, there is a charming view of the surrounding country and the valley of the Wear. The ground is undulating, the bunkers consisting of long grass, whins, roads, and an old railway cutting, which must be driven over twice during each round of nine-holes. Hotels; “Royal County” and “Three Tuns.”   

Report on the club and course from the Newcastle Daily Chronicle in November 1907.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle Saturday 30 November 1907. Images © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The spring meeting was held over the Pinkerknowle course on Thursday 2 May 1912, result as follows; A Mangles, 95-18-77; W G Morant, 96-18-78; J N Slack, 100-22-78; M Hutchinson, 85-6-79; Rev D Jones, 90-9-81; W Imrie, 99-16-83; H Liddell, 99-16-83; C Adamson, 98-14-84; C F Hardener, 98-14-84; W R Wilson, 102-18-84; J L Mawson, 105-20-85; H C Rollin, 108-20-88; K C Bayley, 107-18-89; H E Thomas, 95-5-90; R M Forster, 102-12-90; S V Tinsley, 111-18-93; A W Forster, 114-18-96. There were six no returns in the windy weather.

Mr William Henry Oliver, solicitor, died in October 1913. He was one of the original members of the Durham City Club.

In February 1914 the secretary was W Imrie and the treasurer E J Pearce. Club membership had increased from 118 to 130.

Following is the result of the Club Cup played for at the autumn meeting on Saturday 3 October 1914; J L Mawson, 93-17-76; W Imrie, 89-10-79; H Jevons, 100-18-82; D H Brown, 92-9-83; M Roberts, 104-18-86; H D Winchester, 106-20-86; T E Hill, 91-4-87; J N Slack, 101-14-87; K C Bayley, 105-18-87; W G Gradon, 105-18-87; A Cheyne, 107-20-87.

At the spring meeting in May 1919 R M Forster won the president’s scratch medal with a score of 88. J G Raine won the Club Cup with a score of 90-13-77.

At the annual meeting in January 1922 a successful year was reported. There was a balance in hand and the clubs total credit was £334/7s/9d. Mr A M Hutchinson was elected president. It was decided to increase the entrance fee to £2/2/0 with the subscriptions being the same amount, ladies paid half fees. A proposal to extend the course to 18-holes was deferred to a general meeting to be held in February.

Result of a match played at Durham against Lambton and Hetton Collieries in July 1924.

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette Monday 25 January 1926 - "Keen interest in competitions, improvements to the course, and the provision of a motor park were features of the report presented by the hon. secretary (Mr W S King) at the annual meeting of the club. The winner of the chief trophies were; Robson Cup, J Wray; Spring Cup; H Fairless; President's Medal; A R Brown; Calcutta Cup; G M Shaw; Autumn Cup; C C Bayner. The best net score of the season had been made by Fred Wilson, 77-20-57; The best gross score A Brown, 69 in the Autumn Cup. A membership of 223 was reported. The statement of accounts showed a surplus in the bank of £136/2s/4d, and an income of, including the surplus at the beginning of the year of £127/3s/3d, amounting to £615/9s/7d. Officers elected as follows; President, Mr A W Hutchinson; Captain, G A Robinson; Secretary, W S King; Treasurer, W T Dixon."   

Pinkerknowe was the location of the first Durham City course.

The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the former Pinkerknowle course.

The new course at Mount Oswald in 1927.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle Tuesday 18 October 1927. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Newcastle Journal Tuesday 18 October 1927. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In January 1928 it was announced that the club had appointed Harry C Ross as professional. He was previously professional at Chester-le-Street and he held a diploma from the Scottish Greenkeepers’ Association. The new professional had considerable experience in the laying out of golf courses and was at present employed in the re-construction of the South Shields course, having recently carried out similar work at Boldon. He had also carried out alterations to the design of a James Braid designed course near Glasgow.

A start was soon to be made on the construction and layout of an 18-hole course for the Durham City club on the recently acquired estate of Mount Oswald, formerly the residence of the late Captain J E Rogerson.

It was anticipated that nine-holes would be ready for play by early summer. The members had responded well to the appeal for share capital, £1,000 having been already subscribed or promised.

Report on the new course at Mount Oswald in July 1928.

Newcastle Journal Saturday 28 July 1928. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the new club and course in March 1929.

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette Saturday 23 March 1929. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The secretary at the club at Mount Oswald in 1929 was Mr E F Lee.

Result of the Robson Cup competition played over 36-holes in April 1929 (42 entrants); J Taylor, 186-32-154; Dr. Sheahan, 191-36-155.  

In the final of a foursomes competition played in June 1929 J R W Rae and T R Parry beat J Gray and R Bailes by 3 and 1.  

In June 1930 the competition for the “W H Wood Memorial Cup” was played. The prize for the best gross score was won by G C Raynor with a total of 162 (82+80), and W Medley with a net total of 137 secured the cup, leading scores; W Medley (19), 69+68; G C Nuttall (12), 69+71; T Wilson (12), 73+69; J N Adams (18), 69+74; J W Wood (22), 73+72; T R Parry (12), 72+74; A Reay (13), 71+75; G C Raynor (8), 74+72; W R Slack (20), 73+73; T Robertson (22), 70+77; D Robinson (18), 74+73; T Colpitts (12), 76+71; E V Summerscales (12), 71+76; R Hedley (14), 71+76.

Sunday Sun (Newcastle) 11 September 1932. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Entry from the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 300; Secretary - J W Harker, F.C.A., Barclay's Chambers, Durham; 18-holes; Professional, H Ross; Visitors (intro) - 2s/6d a day, 3s week-end and Bank Holidays.

From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 300; Secretary - G Peart, J.P., 48 North Road, Durham; Professional, H Ross; Green-keeper, W T Crossland; 18-holes SSS 72; Visitors as 1933.

1947 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 200; Secretary, G Oldham, "Owengate," Palmer's Close, Durham; Course Records - Amateur; H S Shaw, 69; Professional; W H Green, 67; Visitors as 1933. 

Golfer's Handbook 1972; Mount Oswald; Membership 620; Secretary, G R Thompson; Professional, W Sutherland; 18-holes 6,048 yards, SSS 69; Course records - Amateur; R W Doxford, 67; Professional; W H Green, 67; Visitors, 75p a day, £1 week-end. 

It was reported in March 1972 that the club would shortly be moving to a new site on the other side of the old A1. The club would be holding dummy-run competition on the new land.

Maps below show the location of the Mount Oswald golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1938; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1947}.