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Hurlingham Golf Club, Greater London. (1893 - 1950s)
The first mention of a golf club for Hurlingham was made in 1893 although these initial proposals never materialised.
Brief mention below of Tom Dunn marking out a golf course in 1893.
From "Golf" Friday 18 August 1893.
In June 1894 over 40 people put forward a letter proposing that a seasonal course (August to May) should be laid out at Hurlingham . It proved successful and a nine-hole course was opened on 6 October 1894.
It seems that Polo players and golfer were not the best of bedfellows. It was reported in July 1899 that the Polo committee were not happy with the damage being caused to the land by the golfers. Golf had never really taken off and the management decided that golf should cease at Hurlingham in August 1899.
In 1934 it was decided to reinstate golf at Hurlingham, again on a nine-hole seasonal course. The course was opened in August 1934, the chairman of the club, Col. the Hon.J J Astor, hitting the opening shot.
In the mid and late 1930s. The secretary was Lt Col J R C Gannon, telephone Renown 1311. The professional was C H Perkins and the green-keeper C Grey. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day and Sunday play was allowed. The station at Putney Bridge was 200yds away.
Although a short course there were some demanding holes. The first hole measured 168 yards and was described by Bernard Darwin in a report in The Times as one of the "most alarming" in the world. "Played between two great plane trees, over the lake, with beyond it a small copse dominated by one mesmeric tree taller than the rest. To the left is a grassy embankment, with another great plane tree, and to the right, inviting, nay almost compelling, a slice and a splash, is the lake again, having a particularly insinuating and serpentine air." Darwin went on to describe the next two holes "demanded great precision, and there always seems to be an intrusive branch in the way. The second is 125 yards long and the third, where the water must again be crossed, is only 100 yards, but never were yards more packed with incident and peril." It's not known whether Darwin completed the course.
Golf being played at Hurlingham.
Following WW2 London County Council acquired a large portion of land from the Hurlingham club. A re-configured short nine-hole course was opened in the early 1950s.
When the final round of golf was played at Hurlingham is still to be confirmed.
The map below shows the Hurlingham Club Grounds, although no golf course is marked on this, or earlier maps. If anyone can help with the course location please "Contact Us" through the website Home Page.
Map showing the "Hurlingham Club Grounds." Reproduced from the {1950} Ordnance Survey Map.