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Hungerford Golf Club, Berkshire. (1903 - WW2)
The club was founded 1903.
Originally a nine-hole course situated on Hungerford Downs, within a quarter of a mile from the town, gravel soil. The distance round the course was two miles, with several natural bunkers.
According to the book James Braid and his Four Hundred Courses by John F Moreton and Iain Cumming Braid visited the site on 4 May 1903 "to suggest any improvement that might be made." His report appeared in the "Marlborough Times" below.
"No1 is rather long, and fairly easy, which is a good thing, as it allows the players to get away (Bogey 5); No2 is a very fine hole over the pit (Bogey 3); No3 is a fairly easy hole for the drive but the second shot must be well played escape the pit directly in the line of play (bogey 5); No4 is a very good hole, requiring very long and accurate driving; the edge here is requires cutting a bit (Bogey 6); No5 is another very good hole, requiring two very good straight shots to reach the green, and avoid the furze and pit on the right on the right (Bogey 5); No6 is also a good hole, requiring two good drives and a pitch over furze and road; the furze should not be cleared; No7 is a splendid hole, and can be played from the right or the left, the green being in an ideal position; N08 will also be a very fine hole, and the green when cleared will be one of the very best on the course (Bogey 50; No9 is rather an easy hole and would be much better if it could possibly be played on the right of the road altogether (Bogey 4). One of the features of the course will be the natural undulating putting greens when they are got in order. As the course is very long, you can easily put forward some of the tees when it is a high wind. The greens ought to be about 20 yards square and should be fenced round about two yards further out."
It is assumed that the suggested Braid changes were fully noted.
Competition result from November 1904.
Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser Thursday 24 November 1904. Image to © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Secretary was W Jacobs, The Capital & Counties Bank, Hungerford A 9-hole course; the record amateur score was held by E R Portal with a score of 109; the green-keeper was G Winterbourne; Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day which were obtainable from the secretary or Mr F W Church of the Three Swans Hotel. The station at Hungerford was 5 minutes away. Local hotels were the Three Swans and the Bear which was situated on the Bath main road, within 10 minutes of the course and 5 minutes from the railway station, close to the Kennet fishery.
Result of a scratch competition played in September 1905.
Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser Thursday 2 November 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
It was reported in April 1906 that Mr R McKenzie, who will be remembered as a former professional at Littlecote, and who has on one or two occasions, given exhibition matches on the Hungerford golf course, was engaged on Easter Monday.
Result of the Portal Cup Competition played on 4 June 1906; W H Belcher, 97-9-88; J McKerlie, 102-11-91; J Russell, 110-14-96; T W Alexander, 124-24-100; E E Palmer, 125-24-101; J Entwistle, 123-21-102; J C Adnams, 125-20-105; F W Church, 126-18-108.
Below is the result of a ladies match played at Hungerford against Reading Golf Club in February 1909.
| Hungerford Ladies | Reading Ladies | ||
| Miss Shepherd | 0 | Mrs Albury | 1 |
| Miss Denning | 0 | Miss Weedon | 1 |
| Miss Andrews | 1 | Mrs Simmons | 0 |
| Miss Portae | 1 | Miss Beach | 0 |
| Miss E Andrews | 0 | Mrs Clennell | 1 |
| Miss Platt | 0 | Miss Baker | 1 |
| Miss Shepherd & Miss Portae | 0 | Mrs Albury & Miss Weedon | 1 |
| Miss Denning & Miss E Andrews | 1 | Mrs Simmons & Miss Beach | 0 |
| Miss Andrews & Miss Platt | 0 | Mrs Clennell & Miss Baker | 1 |
| 3 | 6 |
In 1914 the secretary was F W Church. The course had now been reduced to 9-holes it had many natural hazards and was situated on Hungerford Downs ¼ mile from the town and about 400 feet above sea level. The club had a membership of 70. There was no entry fee the subs were £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were; 1/- a day, 2/6 a week and 7/6 a month.
The annual meeting was held on Friday 7 May 1915 with Major E R Portal in the chair. It was stated that since the war started many members had resigned and there was a deficit showing on the balance sheet. The opinion was expressed that, with a reduced income, the club would be unable to carry on and it was unanimously decided that play should be suspended for the duration of the war.
The course on the Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1925}
From the North Wilts Herald Friday 28 February 1930 - "During the winter the Hungerford golf course has been much improved, and on Saturday those taking part in the monthly competition found the greens in excellent condition. Mr J D Wells was the winner with a net score of 79. Mr A R Peart being runner-up with 82."
Grid reference SU34480,67970, co-ordinates, 434480,167970.
Hungerford Golf Club disappeared prior to WW2.
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<div class="picture dropshadow mid" style="width: 424px;"><a class="modal" href="/images/club_graphics/england/hungerford_2.jpg"><img src="/images/club_graphics/england/thumbs/hungerford_2.jpg" border="0" alt="Hungerford Golf Club, Berkshire. Competition result from November 1904." title="Hungerford Golf Club, Berkshire. Competition result from November 1904." width="400" height="83" style="border: 2px solid #003501;" /></a>
<p class="caption-text">Newbury Weekly News and General Advertiser Thursday 24 November 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p>
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