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Wilpshire and District Golf Club, Lancashire. (1890s)

It was announced in August 1890 that the Wilpshire and District Golf Club had just been formed by a number of Wilpshire gentlemen. “A suitable playing space had been secured on a farm at Wilpshire, the distance out and home being 1½ miles” There were already 40 members. Mr J H Bertwistle, the chief promoter of the club, has been elected captain, Mr H B Sutcliffe, secretary and Mr J W Sharples treasurer.

A description of the course, and probably the first match, was played on Saturday September 20th 1890. The event was covered in the press, the report states “The Wilpshire and District Golf Club, recently formed thorough the influence and exertions of Mr James Bertwistle, now numbers forty out of a possible fifty members, to which number the club has been limited. Hollow Head Farm, behind the Grange, the residence of Mr Edgar Appleby, the first president, has been taken and the links formed, making a nine hole course with a total length of 1,821 yards. The course is situated about 750ft above sea level, and commands an all round panoramic view, embracing the coast line from the estuary of the Ribble to Morecambe Bay, with Black Combe in the distance forming a fine background to smoky Barrow on one side, with Pendle rising close at hand, and, far away beyond, the summit of Ingleborough, Whernside and Penygant on the other side. On Saturday afternoon a match was played between the captain (James Bertwistle) and Mr Withers, a closely fought match resulted in a win for the captain” Afterwards the players and a number of the members went to the Wilpshire Hotel, where they were admirably served by Mr and Mrs Law, they reflected on a successful day and were confident of a bright future for the club.

In the 1890s the Wilpshire & District course was south of Hollowhead Lane.

Mr E Appleby was in the chair at an extraordinary meeting held in the club room on Saturday 17th January 1891. It was resolved that, providing the council could arrange for the extension of the course, membership could be raised to 75 playing and 25 honorary members. It was also resolved to appoint a professional to examine the course and advice on the position of the greens.

In September 1892 the members played for a cup presented by Mr Fred Pickup of Aberdeen, formerly of Blackburn. Scores as follows; John Hargreaves, 91; James Fish, 100; George Hindle, 100; Rev. J G Denison, 102; R A Pippett, 105; Charles Kenyon, 108, J N Withers, 115; E J Scott, 127.

Below is the result of a one sided match played against Bury Golf Club in October 1892.

Below a report on the visit of Mr John Ball jun. and Mr H Hilton in November 1893.

From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 23rd November 1893. Images © Illustrated London News Group.

Unfortunately the page was not available that contained the portraits mentioned in the final paragraph above.

Below, details of a club match played away at the Clitheroe Golf Club in December 1893.

The date club moved to the present course, on the other side of Hollowhead Lane, is still to be found.

From the Nisbet’s 1905 Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1889; Station at Wilpshire five minutes; hon. secretary – H P Farnworth, Langho, Blackburn; captain, F D Kenyon; nine-hole course.

The original course is marked on the Ordnance Survey Map below.

© Crown Copyright {1895}

Location of the original course in 1895. Grid reference SD69035,32195, co-ordinates 369035,432195.

The current course can be seen to the north on the Google Map below.