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Ambleside & District Golf Club, Loughrigg, Cumbria. (1903 - 1950s)

Report on the proposed golf club in November 1902.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Report on the proposed club in November 1902.

Lakes Herald Friday 14 November 1902. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The club was founded in 1903.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Early report on the golf club from March 1903.

From the Lakes Herald Friday 13 March 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

A 9-hole course with a SSS of 70 and Par of 72, and a  club membership of between 120 and 150. The railway station at Windermere London North Western was 5 miles. The pier at Ambleside, and the Waterhead Steamer were 1 ½ miles away. Local hotels were The Salutation, Queens, Vale View, Wateredge, Warsfell Tower and the Waterhead.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Layout of the nine-hole golf course.

Image courtesy of David Low.

 

From the Lakes Herald Friday 7 August 1903; "We hear that the record for the Ambleside Golf Links has been lowered to 39 (9-holes) by a visitor, the Rev. B Hancock." 

The formal opening of the new clubhouse took place on Tuesday 18 August 1903. The opening ceremony was carried out by the President, Mr F M T Jones-Balme, High Close, Ambleside.

In 1906 visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month.

Competition results from June 1906.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Competition results from  June 1906.

From the Lakes Herald Friday 22 June 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Report on the revised course in May 1907.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Report on the revised course in May 1907.

From the Lakes Herald Friday 10 May 1907. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

A sad note, on Tuesday 25 August 1908 Joseph Pye, professional at Ambleside, formerly of St Annes, collapsed and died after driving off from the seventh tee. It was reported that “While playing round in a Foursome he suddenly complained of feeling out of sorts. His three companions went on leaving him to rest on the seventh tee but on again going round the course they found him, as they had left him, huddled up on the seventh tee. He was about thirty years of age.” 

From the Bradford Weekly Telegraph Friday 26 March 1909; "MEMORIAL TO A GOLF PLAYER - A faculty was granted at Carlisle Consistory Court on Tuesday authorising the vicar and churchwardens of Brathay to place on the east wall of the nave of the parish church a brass tablet in memory of Joseph Fox Pye, professional of the Ambleside Golf Club and a member of the church choir, who died in Loughrigg on 25 August last, in his twenty-seventh year. The tablet is being erected by the members of the Ambleside Golf Club and the Brathay church choir."

 

Ambleside & District Golf Club, Cumbria. Newspaper advert from April 1909.

From The Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Observer 26 April 1909. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The text accompanying the above advert. “The golf links are situated on the other side of town, and a stiff climb faces the would-be player. But it is justified. The course is of nine-holes and from the greens some of the most glorious views imaginable are to be obtained. After a half-day spent on the links a return to even Ambleside suggests re-entrance to the whirr of the Twentieth Century. The clubhouse afford ample accommodation, and visitors may become temporary members for short or long periods.”  

Advert from the Lancashire Evening Post Wednesday 20 July 1910; "GOLF - Wanted. GROUNDSMAN, with a knowledge of club mending; to take sole charge of a nine-hole course. Apply, B fletcher, The Hermitage, Rydal, Ambleside."

Competition results from September 1909.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Competition results from  September 1909.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Competition results from  September 1909.

From the Lakes Herald Friday 10 September 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

In 1911 the secretary was Bernard Fletcher, Scandale Brow, Ambleside and the professional A Stewart.

In 1914 entry fee was £1/1/0 and Subscriptions £1/1/0. Sunday play was not allowed at this time. George A Johnston, MD, Loughrigg, Ambleside, took over as secretary in 1914.

The annual meeting was held at Wanstell Tower, Ambleside, in April 1916, W W Hinde presiding over - Rev. J Hawkesworth, T D Jackson, J W Dove, W Graham, J Elliott, D E B Sewell (hon. treasurer,) Dr. G A Johnston (hon. secretary.)

Ordnance Survey Map showing the location of the course and clubhouse at the time of WW1.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. O.S. Map showing the clubhouse and course at the time of WW1.

O.S. Map Revised 1912; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1919}

 

Ambleside Golf Club and course from the eighth tee.

Postcard Published by Masons - from the eighth tee at Ambleside. Authors Collection.

 

Ambleside and District Golf Club, Loughrigg. Picture of the fourth hole.

Image courtesy of David Low.

 

Throughout the 1920s visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, 10/- a week, 21/- a month. Sunday play was allowed, without caddies.

Below is a report on the annual meeting held in March 1931.

 

Ambleside & District Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the annual meeting held in March 1931.

From the Lancashire Evening Post Monday 23 March 1931. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Result of the July 1931 monthly medal; A E Huddlestone, 79-9-70; R Youdell, 80-8-72.

Below is a report on the course from August 1939.

 

Ambleside & District Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the course from August 1939.

 

Ambleside & District Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the course from August 1939.

Liverpool Evening Express Tuesday 1 August 1939. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

In March 1946 the Ambleside Golf Club were seeking a green-keeper. The advert offered wages of £3 a week; house (vacant possession), rent, rates and coal all free – Applications to R Youdell, Greenfolds, Ambleside.  

Throughout the 1950s visitors’ fees were 3/6 a day.

 

Ambleside & District Golf Club, Cumbria. Postcard from 1959 showing the fifth green.

Postcard dated 1959 showing the fifth green. Image courtesy of Frank Accleton.

 

Secretary - Professional/Greenkeeper 1906-8 - F E T Jones-Balme, High Close, Ambleside. Joseph Pye (professional.)

1912-14 - D G Ainslie Johnston, Market Square, Ambleside. A Lickbarrow (professional.)

1920s Herbert Jackson, "Moorfield", Ambleside. K G Addison (green-keeper.)

1931 - R Youdell, Kirkstone Brow, Ambleside. 

1935-48 - R Youdell, "Greenfolds", Ambleside.A Walker (professional.)

1950s - H Stubbs, Gale Mount, Ambleside. 

 

  Course records
1906 A Jackson (am) 38 C Leigh (pro) 37
1936-48 G Gascoigne (am) 71 R Harrison (pro) 65
1950s J Shaw (am) 68 R Harrison (pro) 63

 

Location of the Ambleside Golf Club course.

The remote location of the Ambleside course.

Grid reference NY36035,04460, co-ordinates 336035,504460.

 

Ambleside Golf  Club Course and Clubhouse.

Mason Series Postcard showing the clubhouse and links dated 1912. Authors Collection.

 

Ambleside & District Golf Club disappeared in the late 1950s.