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Kirkby Stephen Golf Club, Cumbria. (1911 - 1939)

The club was founded in 1911. 

Report on the new club in December 1911.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 5 December 1911.

Picture below of the opening of the golf course.

Above image courtesy of Graham Rowley.

In 1914 the secretary at  Kirkby Stephen Golf Club then Westmoreland, was Robert Waistell Braithwaite, 21 South Road.

A 9-hole course of fine quality situated between the Midland and NER stations. A pleasant course with natural  hazards. There was a membership of 70. The entrance fee was 5/-. Subs for gents were 10/6 and ladies 7/6. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 3/6 a week. There were no restrictions for Ladies. Sunday play was not allowed. Stations at (Midland and NER), 15 minutes away.

Result of the October 1913 monthly competition; S Ridley (26), 79; J Alsop (28), 80; R W Braithwaite (26), 84. Mrs Crozier won the ladies prize. 

Report on the annual meeting held in April 1915.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 27 April 1915.

Report on the annual meeting in May 1916.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 9 May 1916.

The course is marked on the 1920 O.S. map below.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1920}

Report on the annual meeting held in April 1921.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 19 April 1921.

Report on a meeting and a competition result from July 1921.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 2 August 1921.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1924.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 26 February 1924.

Result of a match played at Barnard Castle in August 1924.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 26 August 1924.

Report on the annual meeting in February 1929.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 26 February 1929.

In the late 1920s the secretary was R Braithwaite, telephone 4. The green-keeper  was W Binks. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day and 7/6 a week. Sunday play still not allowed. Local hotels were the King's Arms and Groglin Castle.

Result of a competition played in March 1929  for a prize given by Mr Balmer, Bradford. First prize  - R H Hunter, 68net; runner-up - C R Whitell, 77net. 

From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Secretary, R W Braithwaite; green-keeper, W Binks; nine-holes; Hotels - King's Arms; Groglin Castle.

Result of the Moray Medal competition played in September 1934; J Braithwaite, 76net; H W Myles and A B Peacock, 77. 

Report on the annual meeting and possible course extension in February 1935.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 19 February 1935.

Result of a mixed foursome competition played in August 1936, prizes given by Mr and Mrs H C Milner; Miss H Littlefair and R H Hunter, 65 net; Mrs R H Hunter and S Ridley, 68 net; Miss Forbes and A B Peacock, 71 net.

From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 60; secretary, F H Marshall; green-keeper, J Binks; 9-holes Hotels - King's Arms; Black Bull.

Annual meeting held in March 1937.

From the Penrith Observer 2 Tuesday March 1937.

Below is the result of a home match against Appleby Golf Club in June 1937.

The annual flag competition with a prize given by R W Braithwaite was played in June 1938 and won by H W Myles.

Below, the sad end of the Kirkby Stephen Golf Club.

From the Penrith Observer Tuesday 14 March 1939.

The club's final appearance was in 1939 when the secretaries were F H Marshall and A B Peacock, telephone 24 and the green-keeper J Binks. 9-holes with a membership of 60. Visitors’ fees were unchanged and Sunday play was now permitted.

Location of the Kirkby Stephen course.

Thanks to Keith Richardson for the following in 2004.

“I was born and brought up in Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland, now (sadly) Cumbria. I lived there until 1952. There was a golf links there which must have closed at the beginning of  WWII or even earlier. The course was a large one built on fell land. Quite a few of the greens were dug out in the roughish terrain. There was a very small clubhouse covered in corrugated sheets. Post war it was lived in as a bungalow occupied by a railway worker, a Mr Allinson. It still stands today but is somewhat derelict. The site borders the A685 one mile south of Kirkby Stephen and sweeps around to abut the Settle to Carlisle railway line north of Kirkby Stephen railway station”

Overlooking the former Kirkby Stephen golf course in 2004. The derelict clubhouse is near the centre of the picture. Author's collection.

A close up of the old Kirkby Stephen clubhouse. Author's collection.