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Port Erin Golf Club, Bradda Head, Isle of Man. (1895 - 1950)

The club was founded in 1895. 

There was a large attendance for the opening of the course which took place on Thursday 21 January 1897. The beautiful nine-hole course was laid out by George Lowe of St Anne’s. The main attraction of the day was the opening match played between George Lowe and Thomas, Kneen of Douglas, the champion of the Island. Both players returned scores of 41 for the nine-holes. Many of the members took part in a handicap competition, prizes given by Mr Geo Lowe, leading scores; G L Trustrum, 106 scratch; W E  Taylor, 148-36-112; Rev T J Pearce, 149-36-113; Mr Hartill, 156-36-120; Leslie Goggs, 161-36-125; Mr Tuckey, 216-36-180.

Result of a competition from March 1897.

Isle of Man Times Saturday 13 March 1897. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The clubhouse prior to WW1.

A handicap competition, with prizes given by Thomas Clague, Belle Vue Hotel, was played on Saturday 1 May 1897. The weather was good and the course was in good condition, everyone seemed particularly pleased with the work done by the greenkeeper on the greens, scores as follows; Rev T J Pearce, 116-20-96; John Costain, 101-4-97; F G Tucker, Shrewsbury, 123-14-109; John Clague, 130-18-112; F Tucker, Windermere, 130-18-112; F J Tookey, 135-20-115; Mr Cookson, Manchester, 140-24-116; Thomas Clague, 141-20-121. There were a number of no returns.  

Below is the result of a match played against Castletown at Port Erin on Tuesday 18 July 1899. 

The course was extended to 18 holes in the early 1900s. The new course was designed by  J A Steer the professional at Blackpool South Shore Golf Club. The railway station and pier at Port Erin were 10 minutes away.

On Wednesday 8 August 1900 there were 33 entrants for the competition for a silver cleek, given by Mrs Perkin. The winner was Mr J T Robinson with a score of 88-10-78 the runner-up was Stanley Parker, 90-8-82. This was the first competition on the extended course. The following Wednesday an 18 hole competition for a box of “Ocobos” (golf balls made by Spalding), given by Mr W Dewse, was won by Mr P Holmes with a gross 76, other scores; W L Coriett, 96-15-81; W Dewse, 92-10-82; H Bell, 92-10-82. On Saturday 18th August a competition, which included a first prize of six photographs of the winner, the lucky man taking home the pictures was W Bell with a score of 89-12-77, other scores; Henry Storey, 92-12-80; F W Briscoe, 101-20-81; Henry Bell, 89-8-81. The following Wednesday another competition with the same prize; G H Edwards, 94-2-74; John Costain, 91-15-76; Charles Twist, 89-12-77.  

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1895; Instituted 1895; number of members 50; hon. secretary, W L Corlett; captain, G L Tristram; entrance fee nil and subs £1/1s; 18-holes; visitors' fees 1s/6d a day, 6s a week, 10s/6d a fortnight, 12s/6d a season. The course was laid out by W G Fernie and is beautifully situated on hillocks towering over Port Erin Bay.  

The course extended again in July 1912.

Nottingham Evening Post Wednesday 31 July 1912. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1914 the secretary was W L Corlett. There was a membership of 60 with no entry fee and subs £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 7/6 a week, 12/6 a fortnight and 15/- a season. There was no Sunday play.

Isle of Man Examiner Saturday 29 January 1916. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Port Erin Golf Links and Holiday Camp.

In 1923 the secretary was J C McCard and the professional A Crebbin. Club membership had now increased to 100. Visitors’ fees , 2/6 a day, 10/-a week, 15/6 a fortnight and 20/- a month.

In the late 1920s and early 1930s the secretary was P J Prideaux, Post Office, Port Erin, telephone 19. Membership was now 200. The proprietor at the Golf Links Private Hotel was J Latimer.

On the Bradda Links.

In 1940 the secretary was H W Kermode, Rosslyn, Port Erin. Telephone number 22. Membership had now increased to 200. Course records, which had been set in the 1920s were, amateur J McArd with a score of 70 and professional A Crebbin 66. Visitors fees had changed little during the years and by 1940 Sunday play was allowed.

In 1947 the secretary was T Kelly, Bay View Cottage, Shore Road, Port Erin. Telephone number 3165. The greenkeeper was J H Kelly. The 18-hole course had a SSS of 70 and a Par of 66. Membership reduced to 100 following WW2. Course record holders were as 1940. Visitors’ fees, 3/- a day, 15/- a week, 25/- a fortnight and 30/- a month.

Port Erin Golf Club had disappeared by 1951.

Advert for Port Erin Golf Club on the new! 18 hole golf course. Author's Collection.

From the golf links Port Erin. Postcard 15804 by Judge’s of Hastings.