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Fishwick Hall Golf Club, Preston. (1912 – 2018)

The club was founded in 1912.

Originally a nine-hole undulating meadowland/parkland course it was extended to 18-holes in the 1980s.

In November 2018, after 106 years, the officials concluded that it was not going to be able to keep the business going and called in administrators. The club had a membership of around 200 at closure.

The general manager Victoria Bellamy issued the following statement – “I can confirm that administrators have been appointed at Fishwick Hall Golf Club and the business has ceased trading with immediate effect. This is an extremely upsetting time for everyone involved with the club as well as a vast majority of the local community. The members, some who have been part of the club for decades, and the staff who now find themselves in the awful position of being out of work just weeks before Christmas, are devastated to be witnessing the long standing club with 106 years of history closing its doors.”

Report below on the first annual meeting in February 1914.

Preston Herald Saturday 28 February 1914.

Fishwick Hall Golf Club secretary killed in action 1916.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturday 5 August 1916. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in May 1919 that the Fishwick Hall Golf Club was open for play and admitting new members. Applications to the secretary; A Whitehead, 241 Newhall Lane, Preston.

In February 1921 the annual meeting was held in the Alexandra Rooms, Church Street, T Lucraft presided. The following officers were elected; President, T Lucraft; vice-president, F Hardman; secretary, A R Pickles; treasurer, W McGraw; auditor, A Breakell. The club had a balance in hand of £10/15s. It was decided to increase the subs to £2/2s and £1/11s/6d for ladies.

In the final for the challenge cup in July 1921 W Fielding (12) beat C Prater (20) by 4 and 3.

The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse in February 1924, Fred Turner in the chair. Following officers elected; President, Sir MeyrickHollins, Bart; hon. secretary, J Birkbeck; hon. treasurer, A Thornley; captain, W Fielden; vice-captain, A Dickson.

Result of the May 1924 medal; A Thornley, 82-15-67; R O Harris, 90-20-70; A A Leggett, 96-22-74. There were 24 entries. 

Result of the May 1925 monthly medal; J Johnson, 88-16-72; J Lewty, 97-24-73; J Tuson, 92-17-75.

The final of the Hollins Cup was played on Saturday 19th September 1925 and was won by J Tuson who beat J Duxbury by 5 and 4. Sir Meyrick Hollins, president, and Lady Hollins were present, Lady Hollins presenting the prizes.

From the 1933 Golfer’s Handbook; Membership of 223; hon. secretary, H Holland, 5 Waverley Road, Preston; professional, W Fielder; green-keeper, J Kirby; nine-holes; visitors’ fees – gents, 2s a day, 5s/6d a week, 10s/6d a month; ladies – 2s, 3s/6d, 7s/6d; Sunday play allowed.

The map below shows the location of the nine-hole course in the 1930s.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1933}

Below is the result of a match played at Ashton Park, Preston, in May 1933 against Dick, Kerr’s Golf Club (now defunct).

Results from the second qualifying round of  the Sir Meyrick Hollins Cup played in April 1934; J T Cross, 89-22-67; B Bramall, 83-14-69; W Haydock, 92-23-69; F Tudor, 87-16-71.

Lancashire Evening Post Monday 14 May 1934. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The annual meeting was held in February 1935, the following officers were elected; Captain, W F Dickinson; vice-captain, Jasper Kerr; ladies’ captain, Mrs F W Hill; ladies’ vice-captain, Mildred I Sheane; president, Sir Meyrick Hollins; chairman, Joseph Bamber; chairman of house committee, R Dandy; hon. auditor, Walter Pomfret; hon. treasurer, J Baldwin; hon. secretary, H Holland.

Result of a mixed foursomes played in May 1937; H N Crook and Miss Woolman, 78-14-64; W Taylor and Miss Lawrenson, 67; D G Jones and Miss Birley, 71; B Bramall and Mrs Taylor, 73; F Sumner and Mrs Hallett, 74; F W Hill and Miss Lewty, 75.

Mr F W Hill was re-elected chairman at the annual meeting in February 1939. Other officers; President, J H Blackburn; captain, H Sharp; vice-captain, H Ormerod; lady captain, Miss H Hargreaves; lady vice-captain, Miss B Lawrenson; ladies’ hon. secretary, Mrs A Hayes; chairman of house committee, R Fisher; hon. auditor, W Pomfret; hon. treasurer, J Baldwin; hon. secretary, W Johnson; executive committee – J B Bamber, F Farnworth, G Barnes, P Baron, W L Haydock, J W Lewty, A J Shutt, James Wilson.

At the time of WW2 the club had a membership of 200. The secretary was W Johnson, 24 First Avenue, Aston, Preston; green-keeper, J Wilson; nine-holes with a SSS of 68; visitors’ fees, 1s/6d a day, 2s/6d on Sundays.

Result of captain’s prize day played on Saturday 4 August 1945; J B Bamber, 75-12-63; B Bell, 81-16-65; W Taylor, 80-14-66; T Bailee, 73-7-66; H Withers, 91-24-67; D Ainsworth, 74-6-68; J H Martindale, 73-4-69; Dr. A M Korn, G Prestwich, 86-17-69. The captain, J W Lewty, supported by the president, Alderman R Answorth, and the chairman F W Hill, presented the prizes.

In August 1946 prizes given by the president, Mr H Irvine, were played for. Joseph Bateson beat M Jordan in the final. The ladies’ competition for the Lady Hollins Cup was won by Miss M Aspden who beat Mrs P Barron.

Advert for the annual dance in October 1947.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturday 27 September 1947. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ­

In the early 1950s the membership was 150. The hon. secretary was J B Bamber, M.M., 65 Glenluce Drive, Preston; green-keeper, J Martindale; nine-holes with a Par of 66 and SSS of 67; visitors’ fees, 1s/6d a day, 2s/6d at weekends. 

Report on the annual meeting in February 1955.

Lancashire Evening Post Friday 25 February 1955. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Dai Rees at Fishwick Hall in August 1955.

In the mid 1950s early 1960s the hon. secretary was W Fenner; green-keeper, J J Wharton (1950s) and J J Wharton (1960s); visitors’ fees 3s/6d a day, 4s/6d weekends.

In the mid 1960s club membership was 240; hon. secretary was M J Jordan, 3 Glenluce Drive, Farringdon Par; green-keeper, H Threlfall (1964 and J Mongey (1966); course records – amateur; A W Brindall and G Bargh, 64; professional, D J Rees, 66; nine-holes Par 66, SSS 65; visitors’ fees 5s a day, 7s/6d at weekend.

In the 1970s membership of 250; secretary, M J Jordan; professional, W T Spence; nine-holes measuring 2,834 yards  SSS of 68; amateur course record, W F Coupe, 67; visitors’ fees 50p a day, 75p, weekend.

In 1982 the secretary was F R Henley; professional P Laugher; The course had been extended to 18-holes measuring 6,186 yards with a SSS of 70; visitors’ fees, £3 weekdays, £5 at weekend.

In the late 1980s membership had risen to 450; the secretary was L A Pickston; professional, H Smith; visitors’ fees, £8 weekdays, £10 weekend.

In 1992 membership of 600; secretary, R R Gearing; professional, S Bence; amateur record, C Cross, 66; visitors’ fees, £15 weekdays, £20 at weekend.

In 1998 the professional was Mike Hadfield.

In 2004/6 membership was over 600; the secretary was J P Davis; the professional was Martin Watson; the 18-holes measured 6,045 yards, SSS of 69; visitors’ fees £26 weekdays, £31 weekend.

Thanks to Colin Barker who provided his scorecard below celebrating the Centenary Year in 2012.

Above images courtesy of Colin Barker.

Scorecards below with slight changes in yardages.