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Clayton Golf Club, Clayton Vale Course, Manchester. (1896 - 1906)

Founded 1896.

The 9-hole Clayton course had a SSS of 68 and Par of 70. Membership of 100 to 180.

The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the location of the Clayton golf course and clubhouse in the 1900s.

O.S. Map Revised 1905 to 1906; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1909}.

The following report is from the Manchester Courier Tuesday 21 July 1896. "NEW CLUB AT CLAYTON - What promises to be a most successful golf club has been started at Clayton. The links lie between North Road and Clayton Vale and command some very pretty and picturesque  views of the surrounding country. The committee have had Fred Butel, the Bury professional, going over the ground, and he has given it as his opinion that it will form one of the most sporting courses in Lancashire. The inception of the club was due to Dr. Junk, F Burt and Dr. Willis, the captain, treasurer and secretary, respectively, and they together with the committee are using every effort to have the ground ready for the formal opening which is to take place in September. The number of members is already large, and there are many applicants awaiting admission and the outlook of the club is very promising." 

From the Manchester Courier Tuesday 27 October 1896. "The first monthly medal competition in connection with the Clayton Golf Club, for ladies and gentlemen, has resulted in a win for Miss Mabel Brundrett with a score of 91 for 9-holes, and for Mr J Brundrett with a score of 147 for 18-holes. The medals were presented by the members of the committee for competition among the novices of the club in order to test their comparative merits. The winner in each instance has only been playing for a couple of months, and considering the very adverse state of the weather, the scores were fairly satisfactory." 

Below is the result of a ladies’ match played on 13 July 1899 at Clayton against Failsworth. 

Below is the result of a match played against Failsworth at Clayton in July 1901. 

The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Clayton Golf Club - Instituted 1896; Station Clayton Bridge half a mile;  Hon. secretary, J Brundret; Captain, H Brundret; Entrance fee £1/1s and subs £1/11s/6d, ladies £1/1s; nine-holes; Green-keeper, J Nicholls; Professional record, Butel, 36; Terms for visitors, 2s/6d a day. The course is one of the best round Manchester; all bunkers and hazards are natural. The greens having had great attention are in perfect condition, and through the greens the turf is good. Bogey, 37.

The course described. Extract from an article that appeared in the Manchester Courier Tuesday 6 June 1905. "The outstanding feature of the Clayton course is that there are no artificial hazards. It is laid out on a plateau; the land is more or less undulating, intersected with gullies, and abounding in ponds, quarries, and other equally unpleasant places for a badly hit ball. The nine-holes are very sporting, and a very nice judgment has been exercised in the situation of all the greens.

The description of the holes is rather terrifying to a stranger, whose nerves receive somewhat of a shock as he learns the first drive is to the “Dynamite” hole. Though the bogey is five, and he gets down in four, let him take heed lest in arrogance he allows contempt to choke down the feelings of respect for the hazards. They grow as he proceeds round the course, and it is even possible that the lesson will be learned on the second – the “Duffer’s Gulley,” out of which it is, however, almost impossible for a player to make a recovery. The most difficult hole is the third – aptly called the “Rush Pit.” A hooked tee shot will land in a clay pit, while the green is protected by a large pond on one side and a disused quarry on the other. The right line is a very narrow path and few there be that find it. From these relentless difficulties it is a relief to turn about and drive to the “Happy Valley.” One’s happiness, however, hangs in the balance as you play the approach, and if the ball runs across the sloping green over a precipice at the side the player may well despair. He is confronted with a Sisyphean task, and resembles the Titan whose punishment in the infernal world was to roll a stone up a hill, which no sooner reached the top than it came bounding down again, and had to be rolled up anew. The fifth is not particularly difficult, but the sixth is an exceptionally fine one shot hole. The way to the green is down a deep slope, and it is situated on the edge of a precipice, which curves partially round the front of the green. The eighth is a good sporting hole, and the green can be reached from the tee. The ninth is 360 yards long and the chief merit of the hole consists in playing the second shot, which must be carefully judged to get on the green in two. The bogey of the course is 40.

The Clayton course will be memorable in local golfing history by an amusing incident which occurred at the opening about eight years ago. The ceremony was performed by a member of Parliament, whose duty it was to drive the first ball. He incautiously tried to do so without having nails in his boots, with the result that he missed the ball and sat down on the tee.

The membership of the club is about seventy, and there are approximately twenty lady players. Mr C Dreyfus is the president; Mr Balfour, Mr F Cawley M.P., and Mr R Le Neve Foster, vice-presidents; Harry Brundret, captain; V Eva, hon. treasurer; J Brundret, hon. secretary; committee – E Grimshaw, C A Hartley, C P Senior, T R Hewlett, A J Hoyland, H Connolly, C Hall."

The Clayton Golf Club was disbanded in 1907.

The following is a report from the Manchester Courier & General Advertiser Friday 24 May 1907. "NEW CLUB FOR CLAYTON - twelve moths ago, owing to the expiry of the lease and non-support, the Clayton Golf Club was disbanded, to the regret of several enthusiastic players. Mr David Dickson is now energetically working for revival of interest in the game, and a large number of gentlemen signified their willingness to join a proposed new club. Land for links will probably be obtained on the Alderdale estate, owned by Councillor G W Laughton."   

Following is a report from the Manchester Courier & General Advertiser in June 1907. “NEW CLUB FOR DROYLSDEN - Since the disbandment of the old Clayton Club, golf enthusiasts in Droylsden and Clayton have been unable to participate in the sport. Owing to the exertions of Mr David Dickson of Ashton New Road, the Alderdale Club has now been launched, and subscriptions amounting to over £100 have been received. Excellent links are being laid out on land off Edge Lane, the officer’s for the first year are; Dr Craig, treasurer; D Dickson, secretary; committee – Rev A Blackburne, G W Laughton, T M Beard, Whittle, Barlow, Gaisman, Evans, C Hall, Partington and S Dreyfus”