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Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club, Old Bryn Course. (1902 - 1965)
The club was founded in 1902 by a small group of golfing enthusiasts including cricketing friends Tom Mayall and Andrew Molyneux.
The following report is from the Wigan Observer and District Advertiser Wednesday 5 March 1902. "On Tuesday a meeting of the members of this club was held at Garswood Hall Institute. Andrew Molyneux, who was in the chair, reported the result of inquiries with regard to a suitable site for the links, and it was decided to take over the field known as "Eight Acres." On the motion of Dr. Hannah, it was resolved that the club should be known as the "Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club" and that R H Edmondson be elected president. The laying out of the links were left in the hands of a sub-committee consisting of; A Molyneux, L Law, R W Whitaker, T S Mayall and Dr. Hannah, and it is expected that sufficient progress will be made to enable to enable members to commence playing on the links on March 15th."
Below is a report on a meeting held in March 1902.
From the Wigan Observer and District Advertiser 19 March 1902. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The winter meeting was held in December 1903, two prizes were up for competition. The committee presented a handsome tankard for the best net score and the secretary presented a rose bowl. The tankard was won by A Gibbins, 117-30-87, with H Johnson winning the rose bowl. Fourteen cards were returned.
There were 50 members present for the annual meeting held at the Robin Hood Hotel on Wednesday 22nd March 1905. The following officers were elected; Captain, W A Gilby; Hon. secretary and treasurer, T S Mayall.
Result of a competition played on New Year's Day 1906; E Barton, 113-30-83; J Polding, 115-30-85; T S Mayall, 95-9-86; H Johnson, 108-19-89; C H Astle, 105-15-90; J F Adamson, 104-14-90; Rev. G F Wills, 111-20-91; A Molyneux, 102-9-93; G Mayall, 108-14-94; J S Kay, 116-22-94; J W Mayall, 109-14-95; J J Broughton, 125-30-95.
Below is a report on the new clubhouse in January 1906.
From the Wigan Observer and District Advertiser 19 January 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Liverpool Daily Post Saturday 18 March 1922. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of the Gerard Cup bogey competition played in July 1926; G W Patisson (5), P Wild (14), R Stobo, 1down; F Bullough (7), 2down; E Marsh (7), A Dickinson (12), F V Waddington (14), 4down.
From the Golfer's Handbook 1928 - 1933; Membership, 160; Hon. sec. - J W Mayall, Oakfield, Ashton-in-Makerfield; 9-holes; Green-keeper, J Metcalf; Course records;; Amateur - S Robinson, 70; Professional - P G Duncan, 68; Visitors, 2s a day, 2s/6d weekend and bank holidays, 7s/6d a week.
Golfer's Handbook 1937; Membership, 150; Secretary - S H Stanley Foster, "Ingleside", Strand Avenue, Ashton-in Makerfield; Green-keeper, J Metcalf; Licensed.
Report on the annual meeting held in March 1939.
Prescot Reporter Friday 10 March 1939. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of a competition for a prize given by the captain, J A Gray, in August 1939; A French, 80-14-66; V Kane, 89-20-69; H S Foster, 80-10-70; W R Hunter, 83-13-70; C Fortune, 91-20-71; A Sutton, 96-14-72; A Sudworth, 79-6-73; A W Painter, 84-11-73; D Brown, 85-11-74; T Bennett, 87-13-74; L M Burton, 91-16-75; A Rimmer, 90-14-76; G C Hunter, 84-6-78.
Following WW2 the secretary was H J Whitehead, The Laurels, Laurel Grove, Ashton. The club had a membership of 150. The greenkeeper was G Derbyshire. In 1947 it was listed as a nine-hole course with a SSS of 67. Course records were; amateur, T Teasdale, 69; professional, G Duncan, 68. Visitors’ fees were; 2/- a day, 2/6 on Sunday and Bank holidays.
In June 1954 Mrs Elce, secretary of the ladies' section, holed in one at the 133 yard twelfth hole on the Leigh Course.
In the mid 1950s the secretary was J T Jones, 217 Downall Green Road, Bryn. Membership was now 120. G Derbyshire was now the professional and greenkeeper. Amateur course record held by J L Arrowsmith, 65. The nine holes had a total length (18 holes) of 5,060 yards.
The secretary at the Bryn course in 1965 was H Howard Else, 11 Winchester Avenue, Ashton. The (9 hole) course at this time had a total length of 6,104 yards and a SSS of 71. Visitors’ fees were; 5/- a day and 7/6 on Saturday, Sunday and Bank holidays.
In the early 1960s Lancashire County Council announced that they intended to develop the Old Bryn course and if necessary would make a Compulsory Purchase Order on the land. Ashton Golf Club needed to find a new home; the club moved to Garswood Park in 1965.
Ordnance Survey Map from the 1920s showing the earlier course and clubhouse.
O.S. Map Revised 1926; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1929}.
Below is a Google Map showing the present day location of the former course.