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Renishaw Park Golf Club, Eckington, Sheffield. (1911 – 2023)

Founded in 1911.

18-hole golf course laid out on the Sitwell Estate for writer and conservative politician Sir George Sitwell in 1911.

The Sheffield based club was on the boundary of South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire.

It was reported in December 2023 that the club would be closing due to falling membership and regular closures due to flooding leading the club to being no longer “financially sustainable”.

Renishaw hosted many county and regional competitions.

Extract from a report in the Derbyshire Times on 23 February 1910 - "More than three months ago we exclusively reported the pending removal of the North-East Derbyshire Golf Club from their links at Beighton to a new course at Eckington. The accuracy of the intelligence was denied in some quarters but we are able to state that it was perfectly correct. The points of difference between Sir George Sitwell, upon whose land the new links were to be, and the committee where insignificant in character, and few expected negotiations to drag on for the length of time they have done. However it is gratifying to record that finality has been reached, that a definite e agreement has been arrived at, and very shortly a golf course in Renishaw Park will be an accomplished fact. In September last Alec Herd went over the land in Renishaw Park to report upon the possibility of an 18-hole course, and his report was highly favourable. It is proposed have the first holes in Renishaw Park running from the main entrance up to the North Wood and in front of the Hall, thence to strike across the road, continuing through the meadows, and finish close to the station in front of the club house, a site for which has been selected just within the Park gates near the Eckington Midland Railway Station."

Report on the opening of the course in April 1911.

Belper News Friday 14 April 1911. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the first annual meeting in May 1912.

Derbyshire Times Saturday 1 June 1912. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1912 Dr Alister Mackenzie visited to advise and make changes to the course layout.

Ordnance Survey Map From the time of WW1 showing part of the golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1914; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1923}.

In August 1919 a strike of the caddies took place when a bogey competition was being played for the Col. Butler Bowden Cup, the boys asking for double pay. The members did their own caddying.

The winner of the September 1919 monthly was J G J Hutton, 88-10-78.

At the annual meeting held in December 1919 Colonel Butler-Bowden was re-elected president; A Lee, hon. treasurer; A A White, secretary. The statement of accounts showed there had been a successful season. Membership had increased by 37. It was proposed to improve the course, especially the bunkering.

From the Sheffield Daily Telegraph Friday 11 August 1922 – “At Renishaw golf is often proved to be “an old man’s game,” for the club possesses some remarkable veteran players. E Poole, who won the second-class medal on Saturday, left his 70th birthday behind some years ago, he did not take up the game until he was well over 60. His net score of 68 paralysed the opposition in the medal.”

From the Sheffield Daily Telegraph Monday 6 August 1923 – “We hear there’s a distinct possibility of the Renishaw Park golf course being remodelled in a manner which would do away with the “meadow holes.” If the scheme bears fruit new land belonging to Sir George Sitwell would be brought in – land on the park side and of very similar character to that on which the present nine parkland holes are laid out.”

At the annual meeting held in November 1923 the following officers were elected; President, Col. J E Butler-Bowdon; Captain; J W Abbott; Vice-captain, A E Hall; Secretary, T Campbell; Committee – G Scoular, A A White, A E Dunston, A W Weston, A Johnson, T H Riley, E Poole, H Strong and E Cooper. A number of improvements were to be made to the course before competitions begin in April. At the Golf House they proposed making a workshop and a caddies’ shelter, and improve the entrance and accommodation for motor cars.   

Penistone, Stocksbridge and Hoyland Express Saturday 15 December 1923. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Eckington, Woodhouse and Staveley Express Saturday 31 July 1926. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the August 1926 ladies’ medal; Mrs Ibbotson, 86-14-72; Mrs Brearley, 103-29-74. Best returns for the monthly bogey; Mrs Newson (16) 4down; Miss Andrew (24) 4down.

The death was announced in January 1929 of Colonel J E Butler-Bowden. He was a member of Renishaw Golf Club and had been its president for 15 years.

The flooded golf course in April 1931. The meadow nine-holes were unplayable, the Rother having overflowed.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph Tuesday 28 April 1931. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in April 1932 that a new motor tractor had been purchased and this enabled enormous areas of grass to be mown in a very short time. Rough had almost been eliminated from the course. The nine-holes in the meadows had been playable throughout the winter, as well as the park holes.

From the 1933 Golfer’s Handbook; Renishaw Park Golf Club, Sheffield; Membership, 175; Secretary – M A Hollingworth, Eckington; Hon. Sec. – W L Angell, 30 Norfolk Road, Sheffield; Professional, E Hayles; Green-keeper, H B Gilbert; 18-holes; Course records; Amateur; F E Board, 67; Professional; G Good, 64; Visitors; gents, 2s a round, 3s/6d a day;  ladies, 2s/6d a day. Sunday play.

Sheffield Independent Wednesday 17 April 1935. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer’s Handbook 1937; Renishaw Park Golf Club, Sheffield; Membership, 205; Financial secretary – M A Hollingworth, Eckington; Hon. Sec. – H Underwood, 297 Catterknowle Road,  Sheffield; Professional, E Hayles; Green-keeper, H B Gilbert; 18-holes; Course records; Amateur; F E Board, 67; Professional; G Good, 64; Visitors; gents, 2s a round, 3s/6d a day;  ladies, 2s/6d a day. Sunday play.

Report on the annual meeting in December 1937.

Derbyshire Times Friday 10 December 1937. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the Butler Bowdon Cup (36-hole bogey) played in April 1939; Eric Turner, 2up; D Ludgate, 7down; W H Barker, 8down; J Overton 9down; W E Turner and C Lyall, 10down. Eric Turner holed in one at the second hole (152 yards).

Ordnance Survey Map from the time of WW2 showing the golf course.

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

Golfer’s Handbook 1947; Membership, 235; Secretary - A Hollingworth, Eckington; Hon. Sec. – T Lyall, Stead Street, Eckington; Professional, E Hayles; Green-keeper, H Tanfield; 18-holes; Course records; Amateur; F E Board, 67; Professional; G Johnson, 67; Visitors; gents, 2s a round, 3s/6d a day;  ladies, 2s/6d a day. Sunday play.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph Thursday 16 May 1950. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In November 1950 Mr A E Hall 85 year-old president of the Renishaw Golf Club presided at the annual dinner. Mr Hall had been with the Renishaw club since the foundation of the club in 1911, and had been president for 16 years. Prizes - Men; Gold medals, R S Mitchell and D H Grant; Chandos Pole Cup, P Staniforth; Butler Bowdon Cup, J Overton; Albert Lee Challenge Bowl; L W Fellows; John F Duncan Cup, J Lomas; Churchod Cup, W Liversidge; Grant Victory Bowl, G Quest; Stuart Shield, R S Mitchell, P Staniforth; Jack Haslam Cup, H Keeton, F Whitley; President’s Prize, W Hardcastle; Captain’s Cup, J A Barrett; Ladies; Gold Medal and Dunstan Victory Cup, Mrs F Wortley; Butler Bowdon Cup, Mrs C Lyall; Churchod Cup, Mrs W Hardcastle.

Golfer’s Handbook 1951; Membership, 250; Hon. Sec. – T Lyall, 38 Stead Street, Eckington; Professional, L R Davies; Green-keeper, H Tanfield; Course records; Amateur; F E Board, 67; Professional; J A Jacobs, 64; Visitors; 3s a round, 5s a day, weekend and bank holidays, 5s a round, 7s/6d a day.

The course and clubhouse remained under the control of the Sitwell family until 1952 when it was transferred to a private members’ club. 

Golfer’s Handbook 1956; Membership, 300; Hon. Sec. – T Lyall, 38 Stead Street, Eckington; Professional, T Wilson; Green-keeper, H Tanfield;18-holes, 5,696 yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; F E Board, 67; Professional; J A Jacobs, 64; Visitors; 4s a round, 7s a day, weekend and bank holidays, 7s/6d a round, 10s a day.

In May 1957 two members of a four-ball competition halved the 160 yard second hole in one. As the players approached the green, it was seen that a ball was trapped between the side of the hole and the flagstick. As they walked onto the green, the ball disappeared into the hole. Imagine the amazement to find another ball in the hole!

Golfer’s Handbook 1964; Membership, 300; Hon. Sec. – T Lyall, 38 Stead Street, Eckington; Professional, J G Hewitt; Green-keeper, H Tanfield;18-holes, 5,696 yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; P W Staniforth, 65; Professional; C O’Connor, 62; Visitors; 4s a round, 7s a day, weekend and bank holidays, 7s/6d a round, 10s a day.

Golfer’s Handbook 1972 - 1975; Membership, 300; Secretary, W Dixon; Professional, G Hutchinson; 18-holes, 6,055  yards, SSS 69; Course records; Amateur; P W Staniforth, 65; Professional; C O’Connor, 62; Visitors; £1,50.

Golfer’s Handbook 1982; Membership, 400; Secretary, D L Jones; Professional, D Dunk; 18-holes, 6,253  yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; P W Staniforth, 65; Professional, M Ingham, R Emery, A Sadler; 67; Visitors; £4.50 (£7 weekends).

Golfer’s Handbook 1988; Membership, 400; Secretary, D L Jones; Professional, S Elliott; 18-holes, 6,253  yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; A R Gersthorpe, 65; Professional, D Dunk, R Emery, A Sadler; 66; Visitors; £7.50 (£9).

Golfer’s Handbook 1991; Membership, 400; Secretary, T Bradley; Professional, S Elliott; 18-holes, 6,253  yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; C S Bright, 64; Professional, D Dunk, R Emery, A Sadler; 66; Visitors; £16 (£25).

Golfer’s Handbook 1994; Membership, 450; Secretary, L T Hughes; Professional, S Elliott; 18-holes, 6,253  yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; C S Bright, 64; Professional, D Dunk, R Emery, A Sadler; 66; Visitors; £22 (£28).

Golfer’s Handbook 1998 - 2006; Membership, 450; Secretary, T J Childs; Professional, J Oates; 18-holes, 6,262  yards, SSS 70; Course records; Amateur; C S Bright, 64; Professional, D Dunk, R Emery, A Sadler; 66; Visitors 1998; £21 (£34); 2002, £24.50 (£38.50); 2006, £28 (£42).

Golfer’s Handbook 2008/9; Membership, 550; Secretary, T J Childs; Professional, N Parkinson; 18-holes, 6,262  yards, SSS 70; Visitors; £28 (£42).

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

Officers in 2023; President, Grant Hopkinson; Secretary, Andy Smith; Captain, Mike Warburton; Vice-captain, Russell Armstrong; Professional, Rob Brown.