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Balham Golf Club, Hyde Farm Course. (1894 - 1896)

The club was founded in 1894.

The nine-hole course was laid out by the Tooting Bec professional, Tom Dunn.

Golf - Friday 14 September 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the formation of the club. 

Morning Post Monday 1 October 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Morning Post Saturday 13 October 1894. “The New Golf Club at Balham – At the general meeting of the Balham Golf Club, at the Grosvenor Hotel yesterday, the original membership was fixed at 100, which list is now full. For these there is no entry fee, and they, therefore, will only pay the annual subscription, which has been fixed at £3/3s. There will be an entrance fee for incoming members, and it is probable that the total membership will be limited to 250. W R Dockerell was elected president; Mr Simpson, hon. treasurer; H B Chatteris, hon. secretary.”

Below are reports on the opening of the new course in January 1895.

From The Globe Wednesday 2 January 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

“Golf" Friday 11 January 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

"Golf"Friday 1 February 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In April 1895 it was reported that applications to join had been numerous with up to 20 members awaiting selection. The course was steadily improving and the spring handicap was being prepared. Mr Grant Taylor was captain, General Sir John Stokes, K.C.B., vice-president. The hon. secretary, Arthur Cole.

There were 47 entrants for the monthly medal in June 1895. Rev. F W Pearce won with 81 net, the Rev. J Harwood was second with 82.   

The following report is from the St James's Gazette Friday 1 November 1895. "Professional Golf Match - The Balham Golf Club has arranged a thirty-six holes match between Ben Sayers of North Berwick and its own professional A Thomson, who originally hailed from the same locality as Sayers. The first eighteen-holes will start at 11 am on Saturday, November 9th, and the second eighteen holes at 1.45 pm. Members of other golf clubs will be welcomed by the committee of the Balham Club to witness the match, which will be played on the links at Hyde Farm - about five minutes' walk from Balham Station."

From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 16 November 1895. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

Due to the lack of space on Hyde Farm and a need for an 18-hole course the club where on the lookout for a new location.

The Balham Golf Club name was short lived. It was announced in July 1896 that it had become the North Surrey Golf Club (also now defunct) with a course on Mitcham Road, Streatham.

Hyde Farm (Athletic Grounds). Reproduced from the {1895} Ordnance Survey Map.

The Google Map below pinpoints the former Hyde Farm and Athletic Ground, location of the Balham golf course.