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Firbeck Hall Golf Club, South Yorkshire. (1934 - WW2)

It was reported November 1934 that "The Firbeck Hall and estate, recently bought by Mr W A Nicholson, a Sheffield stockbroker, is to be converted into a country club, with provision for golf, swimming and tennis."

The original address was given as Firbeck Hall Golf Club, Worksop, Notts. The secretary was Lt Col W Elwyn Jones the professional L Highfield and the green-keeper G S Kinnear. An 18-hole course laid out by J S F Morrison with a SSS of 74 and Par 72. The club had a membership of 600. Course records were, amateur S E Banks 67 and professional L Highfield 66. Visitors fees were 2/6 a day. Sunday play was allowed. Railway stations at Retford 11 ½ miles, Doncaster 12 miles and Worksop 8 miles.

In 1935, Cyril Nicholson, a stockbroker from Sandygate, Sheffield, renovated and opened the hall as a country club, renovation costs amounted to £80,000, a huge amount at this time. The interior included billiards room, ballroom, cocktail bars, restaurant and wine cellars. There was also the 18 hole golf course, Tennis, Squash Racquets, Swimming Pool, Fishing, Riding even an Aerodrome. designed by Captain T. Campbell Black.

Notable guests included celebrities and royalty. The Prince of Wales and Wallis Simpson were said to spend time at Firbeck Hall.

The Sheffield Telegraph reported of the Prince of Wales visit to Firbeck Hall in July 1935 – “As he inspected the club premises, presented to him by the Lord Mayor of Sheffield were: Lord and Lady Fielding; Mr Cyril Nicholson and his wife and daughter; Captain Campbell Black, the airman with his actress bride, Miss Florence Desmond. The Prince then walked through the ballroom to the swimming pool, where a large number of members were bathing. He expressed his admiration of the club and was particularly as a keen golfer, in the golf course”.

The Bystander Wednesday 29 April 1936. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From The Tatler Wednesday 9 September 1936. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Text on the above article; Golf is only one, though naturally a very important activity of Firbeck Hall, which is a country club containing facilities for everything between swimming and flying. The course, laid out by J S F Morrison, lies in attractive park country, well timbered, with a winding stream which makes a hazard at several holes. The length is 6,379 yards, with a bogey of 75. Firbecl lies half-way between Doncaster and Worksop. This is certainly an affair of "golf-de-luxe," as the clubhouse is fitted with everything "everything that opens and shuts."

Top row left to right - R V Procter, Committee; Leslie Highfield, Professional; Miss C Rowland, Handicap 3, Yorkshire County Player; Lord Fielding, Chairman of the Club; Eric Spence, Committee.

Middle row - Sava; W A Milner, The Captain; View of the 18th green from the clubhouse; C A Nicholson, The Squire of Firbeck; Sir Donald Matthews.

Bottom row - Fred, in the cocktail bar; Mrs Hardy, Handicap 5; Two well known visitors, the Western Brothers, George and Kenneth; Mrs Halcomb, very air-minded; Col. W Elwy Jones, Managing Director of the Club.

An exhibition match to be played in June 1938.

Sheffield Independent Saturday 4 June 1938. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Sheffield Independent Tuesday 7 June 1938. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

South Yorkshire Times and Mexborough & Swinton Times Friday 10 June 1938. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Exhibition match played in May 1939.

A H Padgham bunkered in front of the fifth green.

Sheffield Daily Telegraph Tuesday 30 May 1939. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match against Hollinwell played in July  1939.

Result of a match played in 1940.

Eckington, Woodhouse and Staveley Express Saturday 2 November 1940. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

At the outbreak of WW2 the hall was used by Sheffield Royal Infirmary and the Royal Air Force. Following the war the building was bought by the Miner's Welfare Commission for use as a rehabilitation centre for injured miners.

Golf was by now a distant memory.

The impressive Firbeck Hall in better days.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1940s showing Firbeck Hall, golf course not marked.

O.S. Map Revised 1948; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1950}.