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Teesdale Golf Club, Barnard Castle. (1890s - 1937)

Founded 1890/98 at Wise (Wyse) Hill the club was reconstituted in 1907.

It moved location in 1907 from the Wise Hall site to a course located at Marwood. It was stated that the move was to a "location nearer the railway station," there was always a concern with the remoteness of the old course.

The club changed name to Barnard Castle Golf Club in 1937.

Lord Barnard presided at the annual dinner of the Teesdale Golf Club which was held in the Masonic Hall, Barnard Castle, in September 1902. The winner of Lord Barnard's Trophy was the Rev. Hartley Jennings, vicar of Starforth, who was presented with a silver rose bowl, he being the winner of Lord Barnard's Trophy. 

There is no entry for Teesdale Golf Club in the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook.

Below a competition played on the Wise Hill golf course in October 1906.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Wednesday 3 October 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the first monthly handicap for the President's prize in October 1906.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Tuesday 23 October 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ordnance Survey Map From the 1890s Showing Wise Hill, location of the first course.

O.S. Map Revised 1896; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1899}.

The first competition on the "new course" took place on Saturday 20 April 1907. Considering that the club had only been there a fortnight the course played remarkably well. Scoring was rather high and this was mainly put down to the difficulty of the ninth hole, scores; Dr Weighton, 101-12-89; H P Friend, 97-6-91; T B Illsley, 109-16-93; J W Hunter, 117-24-93; J Allison, 105-10-95; R J Bailey, 105-8-97; J G Welford, 108-10-98.  

Competition for Lord Barnard's Cup played on the Marwood Links in September 1907.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Tuesday 3 September 1907. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In the 1914 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook it was stated that the club was Founded in 1890. The secretary was H P Friend, 40 Calgate, Barnard Castle. A 9-hole course that was situated on the Raby Estate, a beautiful location with good greens. The club had a membership of 110. The entry fee was 15/- subs for gents were£1/1/0 and ladies 10/6. Visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month. Sunday play was not allowed. The station was a 5 minute walk away. Local hotels were the Kings Head, Golden Lion, Robinsons Temperance and the Commercial which was opposite the station.

From 1923 the secretary was P Summerson and the professional Arthur S Watson. The SSS was 74 and the club membership was 150. Visitors’ fees had increased to 2/6 a day, 10/- a week, 15/- a fortnight, 25/- a month.

The location of the course at Marwood in the 1920s.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1924}

Result of the July 1925 monthly bogey; R H Wade, 5 down; R J Bailey (captain), J H Brown, S H C Jackson, 6 down.

The result of the 1927 February monthly bogey for the Teesdale Golf Club; T K Bell, 4down; G W Wood and R J Bailey, 6down.

The annual meeting in February 1928.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Wednesday 15 February 1928. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the monthly medal played in June 1928; H Brown, 70; T K Bell, S H C Jackson and R E Wade, 72.

Result of the monthly medal played in June 1930; W Peat, 98-29-69; J A Steele, 80-9-71; F Kellagher, 80-8-72; H R Jackson, 83-11-72; T K Bell, 80-6-74; H C Jackson, 82-7-75; W Beautyman, 94-18-76.

It was reported in December 1931 that The Teesdale (Barnard Castle) Golf Club had acquired from the Raby Estate, through the kindness of Lord Barnard, the president, the addition of 23 acres to their golf course at Marwood, near Barnard Castle, the addition was to be brought into use immediately. It was hoped eventually to enlarge the course from nine to eighteen holes.

Following is the entry from the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Teesdale Golf Club; Membership 156; Hon. secretary, P Summerhouse; professional, Arthur S Watson; amateur course record - N Field, 70; 9-holes; visitors, 2s/6d a day, 10s a week, 15s a fortnight, 25s a month; Sunday play allowed. 

Result of the Balfour Vase played in July 1934; Mrs Leishman and Dr. Leishman, 96-18-78; Mrs Brown and J H Brown, 96-17-79; Mrs Bainbridge and R T Bainbridge, 107-26-81; Mrs Wormald and G P Gore, 98-16-82; Mrs Roberts and T Boardman, 109-25-84; Miss D Bainbridge and W Bowman, 115-27-88.

Newcastle Journal Saturday 18 December 1937. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough Friday 8 December 1939 - "At the annual meeting of the Barnard Castle last night it was reported that there was a debit balance of £4/15s against a balance in hand of £40/6s/5d at the commencement of the season. This was mainly due to a drop in visitors' fees and canteen profits owing to the war. Members had been circularised to know if they intended to remain, and out of 261, 118 stated they would remain, 41 resigned, nine had joined the Forces and 93 had not replied. Officials appointed; President, Lord Barnard; captain, Col. C E Vickery; treasurer, R Shortridge; secretary, N Paul; match secretary, E P Clark; committee - J H Brown, F H Christie, J W Collier, J Bousfield, T Boardman, H V Finch and T N Addison."

Teesdale Golf Club had disappeared by 1940.

It is interesting to note that Barnard Castle, the current club, based their centenary year in 1998 on the earlier Teesdale club.