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Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club, Yorkshire. (1909 - 1928)
The original North Cliff course on Burniston Road dates back to 1909.
The club has been at its present site since 1928.
It was reported that Harry Colt had involvement in the early course of the North Cliff club. The following is from the Sheffield Daily Telegraph Friday 24 September 1909. "THE NEW CLUB AT SCARBOROUGH - Yesterday, Mr H S Colt, secretary of the Sunningdale Golf Club, inspected the proposed course of the newly-formed Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club, and he will make a formal report in due course, and the committee will call a general meeting to consider it. Forty five members have already been enrolled, and the lessee will proceed with the making of the course when another five are forthcoming. Some 20 or 30 prospective members are awaiting the construction of the links."
The sometimes controversial Henry Leach has a say on the North Cliff Club in December 1909.
London Evening Standard Friday 3 December 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Eventually a local businessman, Mr Francis Taylor, hired Bertie Snowball to lay out the original North Cliff six-hole course. To celebrate the opening of the course Bertie played an exhibition match against Arthur Day, the South Cliff professional. The result was a victory for Day by 5&4.
Bertie Snowball was born at Baildon, West Yorkshire. His father James became green-keeper at the then Scarborough Golf Club. It was here that Bertie began his golfing career as the assistant professional.
In February 1911 it was decided to extend the course to nine-holes.
It was reported in March 1911 that Bertie Snowball had been appointed professional at Criccieth Golf Club, North Wales. He was the first professional at the North Cliff Golf Club.
In May 1911 the Boyce medal competition was won by J C Bissett with a score of 81-10-71.
A new golf club organisation "Scarborough North Cliff Golf Club Ltd." in October 1911.
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Saturday 28 October 1911. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The Thompson Cup was won in November 1911 by J Hughill, 100-12-88.
The new course opened in June 1912. The following description appeared in the Yorkshire Post "The nine-hole course is situated on both sides of Burniston Road, between Peasholme Park and the Northern Cavalry Barracks. The completed course has been open to the members for some months although the formal opening of the course took place on the 19th June. The membership of the course last year was 40 this has risen to over 100. The course is well over 2,250 yards and the bogey is 37. The first four holes are over 300 yards. The other holes, those lying on the on the sea side of the road, are very sporting. They include a very pretty hole in a valley; a rather formidable hole on the top of a hill which requires a long carry; a dog-leg hole, and another across the valley back again; the whole course abounds in natural hazards. The course commands a lovely view of the town, including the new lake and park, the broad sweep of the North Bay with the castle, and the coast line to the north." One of the greens was a Roman tumulus has been named "The Warrior's Grave."
In March 1913 there was a proposal to extend the course from nine to eighteen-holes.
The 36-hole final of the Hammond (Ladies') Cup was played in December 1913 when Miss Dora Dent beat her sister Miss Dent by 6 and 5.
In March 1914 R Wilcox, assistant at Little Aston Golf Club, Birmingham, was appointed professional at North Cliff.
Following information courtesy of "The PGA Remembers" project - Bertie Snowball; Elected PGA Member 1902. Northern Section; Regiment - Corporal 5th Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highlanders); Service No - 2310; Died - Killed in action 9th May 1915 age 27; Buried - Le Trou Aid Post Cemetary, Fleurbaix. Ref F 11; Notes - Bertie Snowball held posts in England - Scarborough North Cliff; Ireland - Portmarnock; Wales - Criccieth; Scotland - Carnoustie where he was a club-maker with Robert Simpson. He enlisted in the Black Watch and fell at the battle of Aubers Ridge in May 1915.
At the annual meeting in June 1916 G F Gibson, T Whitehead and F B Swift were re-elected directors. W R Rea, M.P., was re-elected president; Edgar Chapman was elected captain; J Hughill and G P Adamson, hon. secretaries.
In July 1919 the club appointed William Coleman as the new professional.
In December 1922, in order to relieve congestion on the course, the club decided to limit the club membership to 250, and that the number of lady members be gradually reduced to 80.
In May 1924 there were three holes in one on the course within a fortnight. W Gibson and G H Edwards on the seventh, 130 yards; Miss Beanland on the fourth, 107 yards.
Threat to the course in June 1924.
Sheffield Daily Telegraph Monday 30 June 1924. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In January 1925 G F Mitchell, former secretary, was presented with a gold watch as a mark of appreciation of his services from 1915 to 1922.
In July 1925 William Coleman, professional, made a new course record of 32 on the nine-hole course. He beat his previous score by one; 4,5,2,3,4,4,2,4,4 =32.
Below, the current course opens in July 1928.
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Thursday 19 July 1928. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Below the six-hole course on a pre-WW1 O.S. map.
Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1914}
Location of the later nine-course in the late 1920s, which crossed the road.
Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1930}