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Davenport Golf Club, Stockport. (1913 - 1973)
The earlier Davenport Golf Club first appeared in 1905 with a nine-hole course on Moorland Road, Woods Moor. This was the first home of the Stockport Golf Club (originally called Davenport Golf Club from 1905 - 1909). See separate article on this website for the early history of the Stockport Golf Club.
Stockport Golf Club moved to its present course in 1909.
The later Davenport Golf Club came into being in 1913.
In the early 1920s the club moved to a new course on Garners Lane where it continued until 1973 when the course was required for housing development.
Founded in 1913 by a group of friends called the” Niblicks” who would play for fun on designated grassy areas. They decided to become a bit more organized and eventually found a home.
Prior to WWI the club were playing on a course on Bates Ley Farm, Garner’s Lane, Adswood.
Stockport County Express Thursday 18 November 1915 – “Davenport Golf Club Red Cross Social – A social evening in the form of a whist drive and dance, in aid of the British Red Cross Society has been enjoyably spent by members of the Davenport Golf Club and friends at Crossley’s Café. Amongst the prizes distributed where those in connection with the Captain’s (Mr Neil McChlery) mixed foursome competition, Miss Gastall and Tom Bell being the fortunate recipients of handsome tokens of their prowess. The President (Mr C L Clampett) referred to the last occasion on which he addressed them, since when Stockport had figured very prominently in the casualty lists. In an appeal on behalf of the wounded soldiers, the President stated that the least we could do at home while the boys were giving their lives was to contribute to the best of our ability to such objects as the one for which that function was held. The honorary treasurer (Mr T Tomlinson) ably seconded this appeal, and stated that the fund had, by means of entrance fees to competitions, donations (list not yet closed) and other items amounted to about £13, which in due course would be handed over.”
Evidence of the Bates Ley golf course below.
Stockport Advertiser and Guardian Friday 10 March 1916 – “HORSES ON GOLF COURSE – Action by Davenport Golf Club – At the Stockport County court on Friday, before His Honour Judge Reginald Brown, K.C., the hearing was resumed of an action brought by Frank Robert Swainson, Arthur Oldham, Leopold Chambers Clampett, and Thomas Tomlinson (representing the Davenport Golf Club), against Thomas Woodall, farmer Bates Ley Farm, Adswood, Stockport, for £30 in respect of alleged damage to land and fences on the golf course. The plaintiffs were represented by Mr C E R Abbot. From the opening statement of Mr Abbot for the plaintiffs, at the last Court, it appeared that the defendant leased a portion of his land on March 25th 1914, for seven years, at a rent of £30 per annum. On condition that the land should be laid out by the plaintiffs for the purpose of a golf course or any other game except football. The right to pasture horses and cattle was reserved by the defendant. The plaintiffs and others founded the Davenport Golf Club, and a golf course was laid out at a cost of £400, and had been used since by the members of the club.”
Davenport Golf Club button marked 1916.
Sad news from the Manchester Evening News Tuesday 12 December 1916; Latest Casualties - "Pte. Charles Victor Clampett, age 22, of the Manchester Regiment, wounded in France on November 8th, has died in hospital. He was a son of Mr L C Clampett, Elmfield Road, Stockport, and joined immediately after the call to arms in 1914. He was a member of the Davenport Golf Club, and before enlisting was in the employment of the Oak Tree Hosiery Co. Ltd., Manchester."
Stockport County Express Thursday 12 December 1918 - "During the past twelve months Davenport Golf Club, as a result of entrance fees to several competitions and the proceeds from a social evening, has handed to various war charities over £37."
The Davenport Golf Club reappeared in the 1920s with a nine-hole course on Garners Lane off Bramhall Lane, and play continued there until the 1970s when the land was sold for housing development. The club played its final competition at Garners Lane in September 1973.
The golf course is marked on the 1922 O.S. map below.
Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1922}
In April 1926 a match was played between teams representing the President, Mr H Green and the Captain, Mr G Dilke Atherton, the former winning by three matches. R B Whitfield holed in one at the 127 yard fifth hole.
In May 1926 a stroke competition was played for a prize given by Frank Swift, won by T H C Ward, 65 net. Other scores; T Smith, 81-13-68; A Forth, 83-15-68; R B Whitfield, 84-15-69; F Swift, 90-20-70; G W Price, 83-11-72.
Result of the April 1930 medal; F Glew, 83-13-70; J F Rawsthorn, 97-16-71; C R Brady, 91-18-73; H G Pearce, 93-20-73; R Bardsley, 97-24-73.
Results of competitions played in May 1932; Second round for the president's (R B Whitfield) prize and summer medal; F Glew (12) 72; A Forth (14) 73; F H Oldfield (14) 73; H Kirby (24) 73; Ladies' monthly medal; Mrs W Bentley (27) 74; Mrs Worsley (35) 75; Mrs Binns (36) 75; Mrs Montgomery (36) 76.
Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser Friday 14 July 1933. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser Friday 1 May 1936. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of the Captain’s Prize played in June 1940; F W Fryer, 76-13-63; F W Hay, 82-14-68; H Brown, 80-11-69; E J Cutler, 84-14-70; R B Whitfield, 84-14-70; O Barker, 89-19-70; A Booth, 87-16-71; R F Durose, 77-5-72; F G Glew, 81-9-72; R Bardsley, 82-10-72; R S Wood, 77-4-73.
In December 1946 Charles Henry Parker was appointed professional to the Davenport Golf Club. He was previously at the Mellor and Townscliffe Golf Club.
Manchester Evening News Friday 20 August 1954. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The first record found in a Golfer’s Handbook is from 1956; Davenport Golf Club Ltd; Membership of 240; Secretary – H Briggs, 12 Egerton Road, Davenport; Professional T Cowling, and green-keeper L Whitehead; Nine-holes, measuring 5,472 yards, SSS 68; Visitors, 3s/6d a day, 7s/6d at Weekend and Bank Holidays.
Stableford competition played in November 1962; T D Smith (8) and S Forrest (9), 27; N Stephens (16) and R McCracken (17), 27; S R G Smith (8) and J Hirst (9), 27.
Stockport County Express Thursday 9 December 1965. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Playing in the bogey competition in April 1972 Ernest Ford holed in one at the 164 yard third hole. Result of the bogey competition; K Hodson (14), 3 down, winner on last nine; L W Barratt (22), 3down; Ladies' Stableford; Mrs M Blackburn, 30 points; Mrs H Booth, 29; Mrs H Little, 29; Mrs O Bunnage, 29.
In 1972 the secretary at Garners Lane was J Gray. The nine-hole course measured 5,526 yards with a SSS of 68. The professional was A C Gillies. The club had a membership of 240. Course records; amateur – F G Thurston, 67; professional – A C Gillies, 68. Visitors’ fees £1.
The current club is situated at Worth Hall Farm in Poynton.