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Ashton-on-Ribble Golf Club, Preston, Lancs. (1908 - 1913)
The club was founded in 1908.
The professional in 1908/9 was H B Simpson.
The first qualifying round for the captain’s prize was played in May 1909, result; W Birchall, 92-18-74; R L Taylor, 99-24-75; E McNeil, 90-14-76; G T Coates, 83-6-77; H T Howarth, 99-22-77.
The professional in 1910/11 was Richard Collins Jnr.
In January 1911 Alex Herd and Harold H Hilton played an exhibition match on the Ashton-on-Ribble course. Below is a rare signed photograph.
Alex Herd and Harold H Hilton at Ashton-on–Ribble in January 1911. Image courtesy Graham Rowley at http://www.oldsportsauction.com/
In 1913 the secretary was G T Coates, 12 Lune Street, Preston. The professional was H Simpson (from 1911). A nine-hole course with a membership of 250. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day. The Station at Preston was 2 ¼ miles away.
A novel proposal was put forward in an attempt to form a new club to take the place of the Ashton-on-Ribble club which was disbanded in 1913. The farmer on whose land the proposed new course was to be laid out on should maintain the links and should receive in return all of the entrance fees and subscriptions! The Manchester Guardian shared its opinion as follows “The average farmer is not likely to prove an ideal or even an endurable greenkeeper. He knows nothing about the game or its requirements and, as a rule, is an awkward person to get on with”
I have yet to find out if the scheme ever materialised in the Ashton district.
Location of the Ashton-on-Ribble golf course.
Grid reference SD50500,29670, co-ordinates 350500,429760.
Ashton-on-Ribble Golf Club closed in 1913.