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Woodlands Manor Golf Club, Otlands, Sevenoaks. (1929 – 2019)

The club was founded in 1929.

The original 18-hole course was laid out by J H Taylor and was opened on Saturday 12 July 1930.

The club went into abeyance at the time of WW2. It was revived in 1968.

The club closed permanently in January 2019. 

Report on the new golf course in August 1929.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 16 August 1929. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Further report on the new course in June 1930.

Daily Herald Thursday 12 June 1930. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below a report on the opening with a course record for Henry Cotton.

Gloucester Citizen Saturday 12 July 1930. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1932/3 Golfer’s Handbook; Membership of 111; secretary, S H Alston; professional, Walter Charles Beecham; green-keeper, B Clarke; 18-holes; visitors, 2s/6d a day, 5s Sundays.

Below the course under new management in August 1933.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 11 August 1933. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 15 September 1933. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In march 1934 Walter C Beecham, professional at Woodlands Manor, was appointed professional at the Rhondda Golf Club.

Thanks to Roger Johnson for the image below. Although captioned as "Woodlands Golf Course & Club House" the fact that the reverse says the card was produced for “The Stores, Kingsdown, Sevenoaks.” seems fairly conclusive the it’s the former Woodllands Manor Golf Club.

Below is the result of a ladies' match against Tonbridge Golf Club (now defunct) played in July 1934.

The professional in 1935 was Allan Gow.

Result of the ladies’ monthly bogey in May 1935; Mrs Umbers (23,) and Mrs Hudson (19,) 2down; Mrs Mitchell (26,) 3down; Miss Pugh (21,) 4down; Miss Brader (23,) Mrs Isaac (26,) Mrs White (26,) 7down.

Description of the course from a booklet issued in June 1935.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 21 June 1935. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the December 1936 medal; R C W Sears, 89-15-74; C F Blake, 79-4-75; G C Watkins, 103-24-79; E E Umbers, 91-12-79; A B Rush, 100-20-80; J A Robinson, 97-16-81; P Morgan, 103-22-81; L L Lowing, 97-15-82; G Daintry, 100-18-82; J C Mullinger, 103-18-85; A P Gillett, 104-17-87; G W Shaw, 114-23-91.

It was reported in April 1937 that the club was to be controlled by the members, it was to be rented by Oliver Lyle of Shaw Hill. The change took effect from March 31st and the new club had Mr Lyle as president, E Hammond as captain, while Col. Hudon continued as secretary. The main improvement to be made would be the laying out of eight new holes adjacent to Mr Lyle’s house.

Below an exhibition match played June 1939.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 23 June 1939. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report from the Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 4 April 1941 - "A GENEROUS GESTURE - Through the generosity of Capt. Lyle (President), who has bridged the gap between income and expenditure, the finances of the Woodlands Manor Golf Club are in a satisfactory state. Capt. Lyle has indicated the willingness to continue his support provided those members who are able will do their best to ensure the continuance of the club in these times. In spite of a depleted ground staff, the course is being maintained in excellent condition, and a successful season is anticipated." 

Fund raining in January 1942.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Friday 9 January 1942. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The Golf Course at the time of WW2 (note the course marked to the south.)

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1949}

The club is revived in 1968.

Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telegraph Friday 21 June 1968. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Kent Messenger & Gravesend Telegraph Friday 14 November 1969. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The club appeared in the Golfer’s Handbook in the 1970s when there was a membership of 450; secretary, Capt. G Leet; professional, Ken Adwick; 18-holes measured 5,920 yards, SSS of 70; professional course record – Neil Coles, 65; visitors, 50p.

Ken Adwick was professional at Woodlands Manor for 12 years.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Thursday 24 November 1994. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1982 the club had a membership of 700; secretary was A C Boler; professional, K Adwick; visitors, £4.50p.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s membership was 650; secretaries, E F Newman, J Mills; professional, N Allen; visitors, £9.

Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser Thursday 15 August 1996. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In the later 1990s and 2000s the professional was Phil Womack.

Course scorecards and pictures.