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Fort Anne Golf Club, Douglas, Isle-of-Man. (1908 - 1951)
The Fort Anne Golf Links first appeared in adverts for the hotel in 1908
The Douglas Golf Club had lost its course at Port-e-Chee in 1911. Many members from the former Douglas course moved to Fort Anne.
The following report appeared in the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser on Tuesday 15 August 1913. It indicates that the course was in existence by 1908 - "The course on Douglas Head, over which the Douglas club plays, is owned by the proprietors of the Fort Anne Hotel. Some five years ago it was extended to 18-holes. The course is not very long, but when one remembers the climbing necessary it is long enough. There is very little rough and consequently lost balls are few".
From the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Friday 2 February 1910; "OPEN HANDICAP AT DOUGLAS - Yesterday, 32 gentlemen played in the open golf handicap on the Fort Anne Links, Douglas, for the Morris Forrester Challenge Cup and medals. The conditions were two rounds medal play. Mr M G Forrester, son of the donor of the cup (handicap 10) was the winner with a net total of 146; R D Gelling and T Roberts tied second on 149; T Hough, third; A W Tongue, fourth; F R Grundy, fifth, all of Douglas. Best rounds were made by L A Phillips (plus 2), who formerly won the Welsh Open Amateur Championship with rounds of 74 and 76. The bogey for the course is 75."
Below D G Hosie wins the Fort Anne Silver Challenge Cup in July 1914.
From the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Tuesday 7th July 1914. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Prior to WW1 the secretary was Harry Towler, 17 Hilary Park, Douglas, and the professional J A Orford. It had an 18-hole course with a club membership of 60. There was no entry fee, subs for gents were £2/2/0 and ladies paid £1/1/0; there was a locker rental charge of 6/-. Visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day, 7/6 a week and 15/- a month. Sunday play was allowed for visitors only. The station at Douglas, Victoria Pier was a ¼ mile away.
Fort Anne Golf Links postcard stamped 1907.
Isle of Man Examiner Saturday 11 November 1916. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In 1922 the secretary was S C Craige, 52 Athol Street, Douglas, telephone 49. (Club telephone 565).
The professional was still Jos Orford. Visitors’ fees were now 2/6 a day, 10/6 a week, 15/- a fortnight and £1/1/0 a month.
In 1927 the course records were; amateur R E Cowell 68 and professional J A Orford 63.
Isle of Man Daily Times Wednesday 1 November 1933. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In 1940 and 1947 the professional was W Devereau. The 18-hole course had a SSS of 70.
Early postcard of the Fort Anne Golf Links.
Adverts from the 1920/30s. Author's collection.
Postcard by Ranscombe Photographs Ltd, Douglas, I. O. M showing the impressive Fort Anne Hotel.
Course location, Fort Anne had disappeared by 1951.