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Lancaster Golf Club. (1889 - 1932)

Founded in  1889.

The first course was at Cockerham; it then moved to Scale Hill in 1901 and to Dolphinlee in 1905.

Sand Villa at Cockerham was the first home of Lancaster Golf Club (1889-1901). The first tee was through a gate on the opposite side of the road, which was still there recently. The course was designed by Scotsman George Lowe who would go on to organize the layout of the 18-hole courses at Scale Hall and Dolphin Lee.

In December 1890 the silver quaich, presented by the club for monthly competition, was played for on the Cockerham course under difficult frosty conditions which made putting, in particular difficult. The winner was Mr A B Schofield with a net score of 93, Dr Forbes Dick was second with net 96, and Mr W Stewart third with net 108.

Competition results from September 1891.

"Golf" Friday 9 October 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

At a meeting on the 23 May 1901 at the Grand Hotel, Morecambe it was decided to form the Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club at Scale Hall. Lord Ashton was appointed president of the new club; Mr C J Clark, captain; Mr S Palmer, secretary; Mr R G W Howson, treasurer. The committee comprised of Dr Clegg, Rev C V Gorton, Mr F Bannister,  Mr Charnley, Morecambe, Rev W L Appleford, Mr R Preson (Mayor of Lancaster) messrs Duncan and Malcom, Lancaster. The question of the number of holes the course should have was discussed, and it was suggested that a nine hole course might suffice for the present, but it was eventually decided to seek the advice of George Lowe, the St Anne’s professional, and then act on his advice. It was intimated that a fine old farmhouse containing plenty of rooms would be available, at a moderate rent, for a clubhouse.

From the Lancashire Evening Post Tuesday 4 June 1901 - "Considerable progress has been made with the new golf club in the Morecambe district to be called the Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club, and already about 100 members have joined. Ground has been secured on which an eighteen-hole course has been laid out by George Lowe, of Lytham and St Annes Golf Club, and it is hoped the new links will be shortly be opened for play. Mr S Palmer, Furness College, Morecambe, is the hon. secretary of the new club."

Report on the opening of the golf course in 1901.

Bradford Observer Thursday 18 July 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the last competition on the old course for the Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club in December 1904.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Friday 30 December 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Originally Scale Hall was a 9-hole course with separate tees for ladies. Course records were: amateur R J H Preston with a score of 79,  professional C Brooks 76. Visitors' fees were 2/- a day, 5/- a week and 15/- a month. The LNWR station at Lancaster was 1 ½ miles away.

The Scale Hall club was plagued with problems and in 1905 it was decided to leave and set up home at Dolphinlee.

The Dolphinlee Course, Caton Road, (1905-1932) was originally 9-holes but was quickly extended to 18-holes in 1908. The course was delightfully situated on the banks of the Lune. There was excellent accommodation available at the clubhouse. (nowadays the  site is occupied by Lansil golf course founded 1947).

Report on the new course at Dolphinlee.

Lancashire Post Monday 30 January 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The secretary at Dolphinlee in 1906 was Fred Huntington who was still there in 1914 when his address was given as Thetis House, Lancaster. Club membership at this time was 265. The entry fee was £2/2/0 and the subs £3/3/0 for full members, £2/2/0 for district members and £1/11/6 country members. Visitors' fees were 2/6 a day, 10/- a week and 20/- a month. Ladies were not allowed to play on Saturdays or on Medal days, unless they were in a mixed foursome. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.

Famous golfers at Lancaster in July 1908.

Nottingham Evening Post Thursday 2 July 1908. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser Friday 25 June 1909. Public domain.

In the July 1909 monthly medal a new amateur course record was set by J B Dowthwaite, 73-3-70.

Leading scores in the annual competition for the King's Own Depot Cup played in June 1910; E Threlfall, 6up; J Glegg, 3up; Rev., Fr. Bilsborough, 1up; F Huntington, 1down.

The Lancaster Golf Club clubhouse c1911. 

The annual meeting was held at the County Hotel on Thursday 25 January 1912, W M Duncan presided. Lord Aston was re-elected president and J W Paton was appointed captain. N W Helme MP, R Preston, J H Dalton, W M Duncan and the Vicar of Lancaster were re-appointed as vice-presidents. The secretary was F Huntington and the green-keeper was Samuel Arthur. In the spring it was hoped to open a new short hole to follow the hogback, additional hazards were also to be added. The question was also raised regarding the appointment of a professional.

Result of the December 1912 medal; First Division - D Schofield, 90-2-88; W French, 98-10-88; J W Whittaker, 100-12-88; T Jackson, 92 scratch; Division Two - D Wright, 103-14-89; D S Cross, 104-15-89; C F Gardner, 105-16-89; S Lowndes, 115-24-91.

Below is the result of a match played at the Ingleton & Bentham Golf Club (now defunct) on Saturday 25 April 1914. 

It was reported at the annual meeting in January 1915 that due to the war the annual dinner would not take place this year. Tribute was paid to a couple of members who had died for King and country, Major Morrell and Lieut. Morris. Sympathy was also expressed with Lieut. Coulston and Lieut. Tomlinson, wounded prisoners of war. It stated that no fewer than 55 members, or over 25 per cent. of the membership, were or would shortly be on active service.

At the annual meeting in January 1917 members agreed to proposals to abandon three holes, liberate the whole of the course for cattle and sheep grazing, and allow the tenant to plough up a large area of rough on the Hog's Back and Canal holes. The greens would be fenced off, and the fairways kept in order by members' voluntary labour. It was reported that only £27 had been spent on intoxicants during the year. Out of 200 members 75 had joined the forces, and twelve had laid down their lives. 

In June 1919 the playing of competitions was revived, they had been in abeyance during the war. T Jackson won the Gold Cup provided by Mr W M Duncan. J S Oglethorpe won the Garnett Cup.   

Lancashire Evening Post Tuesday 23 December 1919. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1923 the secretary was S W Clarke ASAA., 31 Castle Hill, Lancaster Telephone 687. The professional was W H Ball and the greenkeeper Sam Arthur. Visitors' fees 3/6 a day, 10/6 a week and 21/- a month. Sunday play was allowed with caddies.

New Years Day competition 1924; E Threlfall, jun., 82-7-75; J B Waddington, 90-15-75; C E Barrow, 78-2-76; W H Whittaker, 83-7-76; J Tatlow, 100-24-76; G Betts, 90-14-76.

Leading scores in the 36-hole Ashton Cup played in April 1927; A P Procter, 173-22-151; H Cross, 157-4-153; W A Morris, 177-22-155; W H Inman-170-14-156; G Robertson, 168-10-158; B Townley, 172-14-158; T R Blackhurst, 182-24-58.

New Years Day competition 1929; G L Robertson, 85-3-82; C E Barrow, 84 scratch; F W Barrow, 103-18-85; H Cross, 88-2-86; R Curwen, 101-15-86; B Townley, 93-6-87; G E Richmond, 94-6-88; H Huntington, 98-10-88.

In 1930 the secretary, professional and greenkeeper were as 1923. The professional course record was held by W H Ball (68), and membership was 325. Visitors' fees were October to April 2/6 a day, May to September 3/6 a day, Bank Holidays 5/- a day, 10/- a week and 21/- a month. Sunday play allowed with caddies. Local hotels were the King's Arms, County and Alexandra.

Report on the move to the current course in October 1931.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturda 3 October 1931. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Note the location of Sand Villa, the original clubhouse.

Grid reference SD43590,50680, co-ordinates 343590,450680.

The short lived (1901-1905) 18-hole course at Scale Hall was known as Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club.

Grid reference SD46370,62600, co-ordinates 346370,462600.

The Lancaster Golf Club moved to its present site at Ashton Hall (Founded in 1932).