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Farnworth Golf Club, Crow Wood, Widnes. (Pre-WW1)
The club made a brief appearance just prior to WW1.
The course opened in July 1914.
There is no evidence that the club survived the war.
From the Runcorn Guardian 16 January 1914 - "Farnworth Golf Club is an established fact. Judging from all accounts it is to be the soundest and most democratic of its kind in this part of the country. So strongly has the idea caught on, and so many accomplished or visionary golfers are there in the town that the first list of 50 gentlemen and 25 ladies (who have no entrance fee to pay) is being rapidly filled up. The course, which as everybody should by this time know, will be on the "Bongs," is expected to be ready for play in the early spring. "
The following newspaper reports are from the Widnes Weekly News.
Advert for a Groundsman.
Report from the Runcorn Weekly News Friday 24 August 1914; “FARNWORTH GOLF CLUB – OPENINGDAY – The newly constructed nine-hole golf course at Crow Wood was formally opened for play last Saturday afternoon and the weather was ideal for the occasion. A gay throng congregated on the links in which the fair sex if anything slightly predominated. At three o’clock precisely Mrs F E Barlow, in a few well-chosen words, on behalf of the club, presented Alderman F Neil (the captain) “with a driver,” the shaft of which bore a silver plate suitably inscribed. The captain graciously thanked Mrs Barlow and through her the members of the club for their handsome gift, and then, marching to the tee on which lay the simple white ball on its cone of sand, he raised the club and gave the ball a whack which sent it spinning down the course. Thus was the deed accomplished amid the plaudits of the assembled spectators.
Afterwards a foursome match was played over the links, Councillor J Hardman and H J Watson being pitted against Messrs. W Thomas and C Poole (hon. secretary). Mr R Bailey accompanied the players and recorded the scores and Mr W S Knowles acted as umpire. The crowd of spectators dispersed themselves over the links to watch the progress of the game and derived considerable amusement from watching the efforts of the players to hole out their respective balls in the least number of strokes.
Considering that the links have only been in preparation some five months the condition of the turf was very satisfactory, though a great deal remains to be done before the course reaches the peak of perfection. When good turf is secured, which is only a matter of time, the course will then undoubtedly constitute one of the finest sporting links in the district. The players were closely matched, but possibly owing to to an affliction of nervousness they none of them gave an exhibition of their best play. The game was closely contested, neither side gaining a lead on their opponents by more than a single hole, and the match was not decided until the last green was reached, when a fairly long putt gave the victory to Messrs. Thomas and Poole.
The company then adjourned to the clubhouse, a really commodious building with ample accommodation both upstairs and downstairs, where tea was served, the host and hostess being Alderman F Neil and Mrs Neil. After the tea was over the winners of the match were presented by Mrs Neil with a gold medal each, the gift of Alderman Neil. A vote of thanks, moved by Mr C Poole, and seconded by Mr W Thomas, was passed to Alderman and Mrs Neil for their great kindness in entertaining the members of the club and their friends and providing them with such a very pleasant and agreeable afternoon’s enjoyment.”
Problem with drainage on the golf course.
Runcorn Weekly News Friday 23 April 1915. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the Liverpool Echo Thursday 8 March 1917 - "Horse drawn mower (36in.) and Albion hand mower (3ft 6in.) in excellent condition - Apply Farnworth Golf Club, c/o Mr C Poole, 4 Lacey Street, Widnes."
Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing Moorfield Road and Crow Wood. The golf course had not been laid out at this time.
O.S. Map Revised 1905 - © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1908}.