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Cleveleys Hydro Golf Club, Blackpool, Lancs. (1900 - 1950s)
Founded in 1900.
A 9-hole course up to WW1, when the longest hole was 385yds. It appeared as an 18-hole course from the early 1920s.
It was situated between the shore and the main Fleetwood Road, some 4 ½ miles north of Blackpool. There was a clubhouse and the course was well served by both bus and tram. The station at Clevely’s in the early years was 2 miles away; in later years the nearest station was at Blackpool 3 ½ miles away and Thornton 2 miles away. The Blackpool to Fleetwood Electric Tram station was nearby. Local hotels were the County and Lane Ends, Metropole, Imperial Hydro, South Shore Hydro, Cleveley’s Hydro, Albion, Palatine and Royal.
The Blackpool Gazette have informed us that the club played a competition for an antique copper cigarette box made from Nelson’s Flagship. It was inscribed “Second Golf Sweepstake, Cleveleys Hydro”. (HMS Foudroyant was wrecked in a storm in June 1897 and was grounded on the shore at Blackpool).
The following is from the Manchester Courier Tuesday 20 November 1900; "The new nine-hole course attached to the Cleveleys Hydro., near Blackpool, will, it is expected, be ready for play at Christmas."
Report on the new course in December 1900.
Manchester Courier Wednesday 26 December 1900. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The course in the 1900s.
Report and description of the course in March 1901.
Blackpool Times Wednesday 20 March 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
| Secretary | Professional/Greenkeeper | |
| 1906/14 | Arthur Nicholas | |
| 1904/19 | Lawrence Gregson (p) | |
| 1919/1922 | D McKenzie (p) | |
| 1923/28 | C H Woolmer | E Marsh (p) |
| 1929/30s | H C Rowe, "Anchorsholme" Blackpool. | E Marsh (p) |
| 1935/39 | R M Band, Mossom Lane, Cleveleys. | E Marsh (p) |
| 1940/47 | T Patterson, 9 Brentwood Avenue, Anchorsholme. | E Marsh (p) L Gregson (g) |
| 1948 | L Hackins, 307 Fleetwood Rd, Blackpool. | E Marsh (p) |
| 1950s | C Harrison, 132 Anchorsholme Lane, Blackpool. | E Marsh (p&g) |
Interesting to note that L Gregson appears as green-keeper in 1940/47; could this have been Lawrence Gregson the professional 1904/19?
The annual dinner and dance in January 1928.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 27 January 1928. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
On the tee at the Clevelys Hydro Golf Links.
Cleveleys Hydro Golf Club silver and enamel button (22mm), Birmingham 1925 by JA Restall, Cambridge Street, Birmingham. Courtesy of Dixon Pickup.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 19 June 1931. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The 36-hole bogey competition for the president’s prize was played in September 1933 and resulted in a win for 17 year old J Knight, handicap 12, with a score of 6 down. There was a tie for second place between L A Leach (3) and H Bradshaw (14) 9 down.
Ordnance Survey Map from the 1930s showing the golf links and clubhouse.
O.S. Map Revised 1930 to 1931; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1932 to 1933}.
Report on the annual dinner and dance in January 1935.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 18 January 1935. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Meeting of the ladies' section in November 1936.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 20 November 1936. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Competition result from May 1938.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 27 May 1938. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of ladies' competition played in 1939.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 2 June 1939. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Putter No 9 marked Edwin Marsh, Cleveleys Hydro. Image courtesy of Brian Holland.
Hickory shafted mid iron 125-175 yards marked Edwin Marsh, Cleveleys Hydro.
Players on the The Hydro course.
It was reported in November 1945 that Cleveleys Hydro, which for some years had been occupied by the Royal Air Force as a hospital, was not to be released. It was being turned over to the Ministry of Works.
| Course records - | |
| 1906/19 | C H Aldersmith, amateur, 39 James Butcher, professional, 39 |
| 1929/30s | E Marsh, professional, 63. |
| 1940/47 | A Gray, amateur, 63 E Marsh, pro 63. |
| 1906/14 | Visitors' fees, 1/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month. Sunday play with caddies. |
| 1923/28 | Fees for residents, 1/6 a day, 7/6 a week. Non residents paid 2/6 and 12/6. |
| 1929/30s | The SSS was 68 and club membership 220. |
| 1935/39 | There was a revised SSS of 66. |
| 1940/47 | Visitors' fees were 2/6 a day, 5/- at weekend and 12/6 a week. Membership 170. |
| 1948 | Standard Scratch Score and par of 67. |
Competition presentation in September 1949.
Fleetwood Chronicle Friday 23 September 1949. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Hotel up for sale in November 1950.
Manchester Evening News Wednesday 29 November 1950. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The area once occupied by the golf course is now taken up with playgrounds, tennis courts, bowling green and a pitch and putt course.
Above image courtesy Thornton Cleveleys past.
Cleveleys postcard dated January 1925. Postcard by E Coppock, Blackpool. Progress Series.
The picture below shows the golf course and Hydro at the time of closure in the 1950s.
Picture of the course and the Hydro which looks to be in the process of demolition. Image courtesy of M C O’Brien.
Location of the Cleveleys course.