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Orpington Golf Club, Kent. (1910 - 1917)
The club first appeared in 1910.
From the Woolwich Gazette Tuesday 4 October 1910 - "Sir William Hart Dyke, Bart., has accepted the presidency of the Orpington Golf Club, and Mr w Foot Mitchell, M.P., and Mr H B Howard are amongst the vice-presidents."
Two golfers hole in one in March 1913.
Nottingham Evening Post Monday 3 March 1913. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Notice of the annual dinner in December 1913.
The annual dinner in December 1913.
The eighteenth green and clubhouse.
In 1914 the secretary was A Wright who was available at the clubhouse. The professional was F Roberts.
An 18-hole course on undulating ground. The clubhouse was listed as having special accommodation for ladies. There was a membership of 300 gents and 100 ladies. There was no entry fee for gents at this time, but ladies were required to pay £2/2/0. Subs for gents were £5/5/0 and ladies £2/12/6. Visitors were allowed to play once free on introduction then 2/6 a day, 10/- a week and £1 a month. Ladies were only allowed to play mixed foursomes during summer months. Sunday play was allowed with caddies. The station at Orpington adjoined the course.
It was reported that the “new links” were formally opened on Saturday 9 May 1914. To celebrate the occasion an exhibition match was played. In the morning Harry Vardon (South Herts) met James Braid (Walton Heath), with a view to establishing a course record. In the afternoon there was a four ball match between two famous amateurs Mr H H Hilton (Royal Liverpool) and Mr Robert Harris (Harewood Down), winner and runner-up respectively in the previous year’s Amateur Championship, and the two professionals.
It was very windy during the morning but despite this the two professionals were in excellent form, scores below.
James Braid; Out - 2,4,4,3,4,4,3,5,6 = 35; Home – 3,4,3,3,4,5,5,3,5 = 35; total 70 (new course record).
Harry Vardon; Out – 3,4,4,4,4,3,4,6,4 = 36; Home – 5,2,4,5,2,5,5,4,3 = 35; total 71.
In the afternoon match the professionals beat the amateurs by one up, the best ball scores below.
Braid & Vardon; Out – 4,3,4,4,4,4,4,4,4 = 35; Home - 4,3,3,4,3,4,4,4,2 = 31; total 66.
Hilton & Harris; Out – 4,4,5,3,5,3,3,4,5 = 36; Home – 4,3,2,4,4,5,6,4,2 = 34; total 70.
From the Daily Mirror Monday 11 May 1914. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News Saturday 16 May 1914. Image © Illustrated London News Group.
In May 1917 it was reported that the club, which had a membership of over 200 prior to WW1, was now in liquidation and the contents of the clubhouse were sold by auction on Monday 21 May 1917.
Beckenham Journal Saturday 19 May 1917. Image © Archant. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Early Photocard of “Orpington Golf Club” clubhouse.
Bartholomew Map showing the Golf Course.
Bartholomew "Half Inch Map" © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1921 - 1924}.
Course location, adjoining the station.
Orpington Golf Club disappeared after WW1.