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Accrington & District Golf Club, Peel Park Course. (1893 - 1908)
Founded in 1893.
The original nine-hole moorland course was at Coppice, Peel Park, Accrington. In 1895 the location was described as follows “There is a splendid view of Pendle Hill, Ingleborough and the hills above Garstang and Lancaster including the renowned Trough of Bowland. The course had been visited by several well-known golfers, all of whom had declared that anyone who could play on the course could play anywhere”
Result of a club match played at Blackburn Golf Club in December 1895.
| Blackburn Golf Club | Accrington Golf Club | ||
| Dr R Roberts | 0 | H M Aitken (capt) | 0 |
| J J Whalley | 0 | Rev J Just | 4 |
| M Taylor | 2 | H L Wilson | 0 |
| M Brothers | 1 | E J Riley | 0 |
| W Stirrup | 0 | A Wilson | 1 |
| C Chritchley | 2 | Jas Carter | 0 |
| D Greenwood (capt) | 1 | J T Kenyon | 0 |
| W Taylor | 0 | T Lightfoot | 2 |
| A Shutt | 0 | H S Grimshaw | 2 |
| J Hindle | 0 | H Griffiths | 2 |
| 6 | 11 |
At this time of the above match the Accrington club had been in existence for two years and most of the players representing the club had only been playing the game since the club was formed.
Below is the result of a match played at Acrrington against Bury Golf Club in July 1896.
| Accrington Golf Club | Bury Golf Club | ||
| Rev. H Just | 0 | Dr. Deaik | 5 |
| H L Wilson, jun. | 0 | S F Butcher | 0 |
| J Law | 8 | P G Gow | 0 |
| A H Aitken | 4 | Dr. Gow | 0 |
| T Lightfoot | 2 | F Perham | 0 |
| J T Kenyon | 8 | F Murgatroyd | 0 |
| H Griffiths | 5 | H Gowenberg | 0 |
| 27 | 5 |
The interesting report below is from July 1896. It contains a section on the discovery of the India-Rubber grip accredited to “an experienced amateur golfer from the Accrington Golf Course.”
From The Sketch Wednesday 8 July 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 5 December 1896; Arthur Wilson, 93-8-85; T E Lightfoot, 98-8-90; James Hacking, 105-14-91; A H Aitken, 100-7-93; H S Grimshaw, 107-13-94; D Haworth, 110-15-95.
Below is the result of the monthly competition for the captain’s prize played on Saturday 3rd November 1900.
| E J Riley | 90 | 9 | 81 | J T Kenyon | 100 | 14 | 86 |
| John Law | 93 | 11 | 82 | R J Alston | 99 | 12 | 87 |
| B Hacking | 100 | 18 | 82 | W T Entwistle | 105 | 18 | 87 |
| E Coupe | 92 | 8 | 84 | A H Aitken | 100 | 12 | 88 |
| A E Higham | 95 | 11 | 84 | J T Kenyon jnr | 102 | 14 | 88 |
| H Griffiths | 96 | 12 | 84 | Jas Hacking | 102 | 14 | 88 |
| Joseph Wilson | 92 | 7 | 85 | Dr Greenhalgh | 111 | 18 | 93 |
| Rev H J Just | 88 | 2 | 86 |
Above postcard posted in 1905 showing the Accrington Golf Course and Clubhouse. Authors collection.
The following is from the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1893; Number of members 116, ladies 15; Hon. secretary – J Shaw, 193 Manchester Road, Accrington; Captain, A Wilson; Entrance fee £2/2s and subs £1/1s; Twelve-holes; Professional, J Pemberton; Amateur record, H L Wilson jnr., 78; Terms for visitors, 5s a week. The course is laid out for the most part on moorland. The holes vary in length from 127 to 420yards. There are twelve-holes, several of which are extremely tricky, especially the first and the eleventh. The course is hilly, the seventh green being at the summit, whence splendid views of the Pennines may be obtained. The length of the competition course (eighteen-holes) is nearly three miles.
Result of a match played in September 1906.
Accrington Observer and Times Saturday 22 September 1906. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In 1907 the secretary was J Shaw, 193 Manchester Road, Accrington. There was a membership of 120 with 27 ladies. Entry fee £2/2/0 and subs £1/1/0. Sunday play was not allowed.
This course closed in August 1908 and the club moved to its present location.
The Google Map below shows Peel Park, location of the early Accrington golf course.