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Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. (1933 - 2016)

The club was founded in 1933.

Originally a nine-hole parkland course laid out by Leeds Council, a further nine-holes were added in 1979. The clubhouse was the old Middleton Lodge. 

It was announced by Leeds Council Executive Board that the municipal club and course would close on November 1st 1979 (it actually survived a little longer.) 

In January 1933 applications were invited for the post of professional at the course being constructed on Middleton Park.

The new Leeds Corporation golf course at Middleton Park was to be officially opened on the morning of Saturday 8 April 1933. Alderman A Masser would hit the opening shot with Alderman Hemingway hitting the second. This would be followed by a four-ball match between professionals S Wingate and N McKechnie against  P Merry (Gotts Park) and A P Howell (Middleton Park.) Lunch was to be taken at the Middleton Arms Hotel.

The secretary prior to WW2 was J Brocklehurst and the professionals A P Howell (1933-38), W Spence (1938/9). Green-fees were 1s a day.  

A meeting was held on Wednesday 26 April 1933, the following were elected; Chairman, Alderman W Hemingway; hon. treasurer, Perter Gilston; vice-captain, C V Westin; ladies' hon, secretary, Miss E Midgley.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. Middleton Lodge the early clubhouse.

Early picture of Midleton Lodge the clubhouse for Middleton Park Golf Club.

 

Below, digging for victory with the onset of war.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. The course was used for cultivation WW2.

From The Yorkshire Post 9 October 1939. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

It was reported in December 1939 that William Spence, the long hitting professional from Middleton Park, was to visit Elsham Golf Club, Brigg. Bill Spence "drives a golf ball incredible lengths, and is recognised as one of the very longest drivers in the world."

At the time of WW2 the secretary was A Wyers and the professional P Day. The nine-hole course had a SSS of 36. Membership was 210. Visitors’ fees were 1s a day.

In the 1950s the secretary was still A Wyers, and professional P A Day. The green-keeper was H Dickinson. The nine-hole course had a SSS and Par of 72. Membership was 255. Visitors’ fees were 2s a day.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. Edward Dockray professional in 1953.

From The Yorkshire Post & Leeds Intelligencer 27 February 1953. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

In July 1954 Bill Spence the professional at Middleton Park in the late 1930s led the field in the British Open at Birkdale after the first two days.

In the Leeds District Golf Alliance bogey competition at Cobble Hall in November 1955 J Wheelhouse (5) and E Dockray, professional (scratch) finished second with a score of 3up. 

During the 1960s the secretary was J Stocking, 100 The Parade, Laxton Gardens, Leeds. Membership of 170. Visitors’ fees were 3s/6d a round and 5s a day.

In the 1970s the secretary was A Cawood, and the professionals R Walker (early 1970s) and K Gardner (mid 1970s.) Visitors’ fees 50p and 60p at weekend.

The extended course opened in 1979.

In the early 1980s the secretary was G Hepworth and the professional D Bulmer. The eighteen-hole course measured 5,233 yards SSS 67. Green fees, £1.50 (£1.75.)

Scorecard showing a different par for the course in 1981 and very different yardages and Stroke Indexes for the holes than the card shown later which suggests the course was laid out differently in the early 1980s.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. Scorecard from August 1981 courtesy of Colin Barker.

Image courtesy of Colin Barker who played the course in August 1981.

 

In the 1990s the professional was Steve Shaw. The 18-holes measured 4,947 yards SSS 69. Green fees, £7 (£8.50.)

The professional in the 2000s was Jim Pape.

Course scorecard.

 

 

Middleton Park Municipal Golf Club, Leeds. Course scorecard.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. View of the course.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. View of the course.

 

Middleton Park Golf Club, Leeds. View of the course.

Views of the course.

 

The course closed in 2016 and is now used by walkers and cyclists.