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Bellingham Golf Club, Southend Lane, Catford. (1907 - 1936)
Founded in 1907.
A 9-hole course that was pleasantly situated on undulating ground. The holes were long and varied in character, the total length of the course was nearly 3,000yds. The secretary just prior and following WW1 was John B Lee, 23 Brackley Road, Beckenham. Railway stations at Lower Sydenham and Beckenham Hill were both 5 minutes from the course. Local hotel was the Railway.
The winner of the November medal 1908 was A F Ramsay.
The January 1909 monthly medal was won by J L Clancy, 92 net. The monthly bogey competition was won by R C Boothby, 7 down.
From the Sporting Life Friday 9 July 1909. "At the Bellingham Club's meeting the mixed foursome competition resulted in favour of Miss Robertson and A F Ramsay with 94 net; Mrs Donnellan and J R Stagg were second, 98 net. In the men's foursome J R Stagg and H W Stagg proved successful. The spring tournament final was won by R V Donnellan. The July medal competitions resulted as follows; Ladies - Mrs Goosey (12) and Mrs Donnellan (20) tied with 105 net; Men - S E F Kani (21) 76 net."
October 1910 monthly medal result; First Division - R H L Gordon, 84 net; Second Division - W K Barnes, 81 net. In the autumn mixed foursomes Miss Pinchbeck and Rev. B G Popham (11) and Mrs Wilson and Dr. Puddicombe (18) tied with 90 net.
In 1914 the professional was B Rhodes. There was a membership of 150 gents 65 ladies. Entry fees for gents were £3/3/0, ladies £1/1/0, midweek members £2/2/0. Subs for gents were £3/13/6, ladies £1/1/0, midweek £2/2/0. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day. Ladies were not allowed to play at weekends or on Bank Holidays. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.
Ordnance Survey Map showing the course and clubhouse at the time of WW1.
O.S. Map Revised 1913 to 1914; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1919}.
Competition results from December 1919; Monthly Medal - E A R Burden, 85-8-77; Monthly Bogey - D C Drynan, 4 down; Members' Challenge Cup (semi-finals) - W N Barnes (14) beat A E Tomlin (12) by 4 and 2; G Gray (8) beat P B Pluckness (14) 1 up.
In August 1921 Trevor Rowlands holed in one at the 213 yard eighth hole.
In 1922 the professional was A Foreman and the greenkeeper C Jillings. The professional course record was held by B Rhodes with a score of 66. Visitors fees on introduction by member were 2/6 a round and 5/- a day.
Bulldog caddie.
Daily Mirror Friday 7 September 1923. With thanks to Reach PLC. Digitised by Findmypast Newspaper Archive Limited. All rights reserved.
Competition result from November 1927.
Sydenham, Forest Hill & Penge Gazette Friday 18 November 1927.
From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership, 150 Gents, 50 Ladies; Hon. Secretary - John B Lee, 23 Brackley Road, Beckenham; Green-keeper, C Read; 9-holes; Course Records - Amateur; C Prince, 72; Professional; B Rhodes, 66; Visitors on introduction from a member, 2s/6d a day, 5s at weekends; Sunday play without caddies.
Ordnance Survey Map from the early 1930s showing the course and clubhouse.
O.S. Map Revised 1930 to 1931; © Crown Copyright {year of publication ca. 1934}.
From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Membership, 150 Gents, 50 Ladies; Hon. Secretary - John B Lee, 23 Brackley Road, Beckenham; Professional, C E Spalding; Green-keeper, C Read; 9-holes; Course Records - Amateur; C Prince, 72; Professional; B Rhodes, 66; Visitors on introduction from a member, 2s/6d a day, 5s at weekends; Sunday play without caddies.
Sydenham, Forest Hill &Penge Gazette Friday 3 January 1936.
The end confirmed in May 1936.
Lewisham Borough News Tuesday 5 May 1936. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Despite the above reports the club was till appearing in the Golfer's Handbook in 1940 and 1947; Secretary was J A Milne and the greenkeeper J Brown. The 9-hole course had a Standard Scratch and Par of 68. There was a membership of 60. Amateur course record by E W I Johnson 67. Visitors fees were 1/6 a day, Sundays 2/-, 2/6 a week, 10/6 a fortnight and 15/- a month. Sunday play without caddies.
In 1947 there was a revised SSS and Par of 70. Visitors’ fees had increased to 2/- a day and 7/6 a week. All other information as 1940.
Bellingham course to the north.