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Horwich Golf Club, Bolton. (1895 – 2022)

Horwich/Bolton is now in the county of Greater Manchester. Historically it was a town in the ancient county of Lancashire.

The original nine-hole course was laid out by the St Annes professional George Lowe in November 1895.

In 2018 proposals were put forward to use the land for housing development but there was much opposition from club members and local residents.

The club closed in 2022.

The first competition was played during June and July in 1896 for a prize presented by the captain, C O Mackay. The semi-finals were played on Friday July 10th; J Crankshaw (18) beat S McClure (8) and W Rowland (4) beat W H Howarth (18.) The final was played on Tuesday 14th and was won by W Rowland by 2up. It was reported that “most of the greens were in excellent condition and will be among the best in the district, the hazards being all natural and well distributed.”  

Result of the September 1896 monthly medal; Dr. Jackson, 95-14-81; W H Flitcroft, 94-6-88; A T Morkell, 110-20-90; G Atherton, 109-16-93; Mr Banks, 110-14-96; H Jackson, 118-20-98; H R Thornton, 131-20-111; H Fowler, 133-20-113. Due to the bad weather the turnout was small.

The third annual meeting which was held at the Bridge Hotel, Horwich, in December 1898. “H R Thornton was elected captain for the year. Messrs. Mackay, Tatlow, Greenhalgh, Flitcroft, Atherton, Tatlow Howarth and Dr. Jackson were elected to the committee. Many improvements had been made on the course. The enclosing of the links rendered the possibility of trespass far less than previous years. The tees and greens have been improved and the mowing on the course had been extended.” Report below.

Bolton Evening News Thursday 8 December 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the November 1901 medal; J S Priestley, 92-16-76; H Jackson (hon. secretary), 92-12-80; S McClure, 83 scratch; Rev. Storey Bates, 103-20-83; Leo. H Swain, 106-22-84.

Competition results September 1902.

Bolton Evening News Tuesday 2 September 1902. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition results from July 1904; Monthly Medal; Dr J H Jackson, 78-10-68; R Stones, 80-11-69; J MacDuff, 1010-30-71; C M Crook, 97-25-72; H B Cooke, 94-20-74; G Atherton, 91-16-75; Mixed foursome competition prize given by Mr G Atherton; Miss Fraser and H Jackson playing from scratch beat Miss Jubb and H B Cooke by 4 and 3.

From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1896; Number of members 80, – 15 Ladies; Hon. secretary – H Jackson, Glenthorn, Horwich; captain, C E Whitehurst; entrance fee, £2/2s and subs £1/10s/6d; Nine-holes; Professional, W Buckle; Course record; professional – W Buckle, 74; amateur, Colonel Pace, 73; Terms for visitors; One day per annum free, afterwards 1 shilling per day, 2s/6d per week.   

Result of the half yearly medal competition played in June 1907; H B Cooke, 82-17-65; Rev. H Stones, 90-20-70; M Coates, 91-20-71; H Jackson, O Winder,90-

15-75; F W Thompson, 93-18-75; G Musgrave, 89-12-77; J J Ingham, 97-18-79; L Tetlow, 104-23-81. 

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the golf course and pavilion.

O.S. Map from the 1900s showing the course and pavilion.

Match against Farnworth in 1908.

The captain in 1909 was O Winder.

Result of the October 1911 monthly medal; J Taylor, 80-13-67; E J Bonner, 78-6-72; C Whitehurst, 84-12-72; J Stirrup, 84-10-74; A Haslam, 90-14-76; S Greenlees, 100-24-76; W T Taylor, 95-18-77; J Smith, 90-12-78.

From the 1928 Golfer’s Handbook; Horwich Golf Club, Victoria Road; Membership; Gents, 100; Ladies, 60; Secretary – F Walsh, 52 Church Street, Horwich; Professional, W Kirkby; 9-holes; Visitors (intro), 2s a day, 2s/6d weekends, 7s/6d a week.

Golfer’s Handbook 1933; Membership; Gents, 100; Ladies, 60; Juniors, 10 Secretary – L Rutter, 617 Chorley New Road, Horwich; Professional, W Kirby; 9-holes; Visitors (intro), 2s a day, 2s/6d weekends, 10s a month. 

Golfer’s Handbook 1937;  Membership; Gents, 100; Ladies, 60; Juniors, 10 Secretary – W Tinsley, 167 Victoria Road,  Horwich; Professional, W Kirby; 9-holes; Visitors (intro), 2s a day, 2s/6d weekends, 15s a month.

Golfer’s Handbook 1947; Membership; Gents, 110; Ladies, 60;Juniors, 10; Hon. Secretary – V L Ivill, 10 Longworth Road, Horwich; Professional, W A Kirby; 9-holes, SSS 68;Amateur course record, J Smith, 69; Visitors (intro), 2s a day, 2s/6d weekends, 15s a month.

Golfer’s Handbook 1951; Membership 120; Secretary, H Leach, 10 Sefton Lane, Horwich; Professional, W A Kirkby; Amateur course record, J Kerly, 67; Visitors, 2s/6d a day, (3s weekends).

Golfer’s Handbook 1956 to 1961; Membership 130; Secretary – F G Leigh, 41 Gloucester Avenue, Horwich; Professional and green-keeper, W A Kirby (1956), R Gee (1961); Visitors, 2s/6d a round, 3s/6d a day, (3s/6d, a round, 5s a day).

Golfer’s Handbook 1966; Membership 150; Hon. secretary - J R Finch, 39 Mason Street, Horwich; Green-keeper, H Lane; 9-holes, 5,404 yards, SSS 67;Amateur course record – J Banks, 68.

Golfer’s Handbook 1972 to 1975; Membership 160; Secretary, C Whitehead; 9-holes, 5,404 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record – J Banks, C P Whitehead, H Hambleton and I G Black, 68; Visitors, £1.

Golfer’s Handbook 1982 to 1988; Membership 160 (1982), 180 (1988); Secretary, C Whitehead (1982), G R Sharp (1988); 9-holes, 5,404 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record – M Derbyshire, 65.

Golfer’s Handbook 1991 Membership 200; Secretary, G R Sharp; Amateur course record – J Farrimond, 64.

Golfer’s Handbook 1994 to 1998; Membership 200; Secretary, C Sherborne.

Golfer’s Handbook 2002 to 2004; Membership 200; Secretary, C Sherborne; Professional, B Sharrock; 9-holes, 5,404 yards SSS 67; Visitors, £16.

Golfer’s Handbook 2006; Membership 300; Secretary, R Swift; Professional, B Sharrock.

The club name continued to be listed in the Golfer’s Handbook until it ceased publication in 2015. The secretary was R Swift.

The Golfer’s Handbook ceased publication in 1915.

Course scorecard and pictures.