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Norbury Golf Club, London. (1893 - 1931)

Founded 1893 when the professional to 1895 was W Chester.

A 9-hole course laid out by Tom Dunn with hazards consisting of  hedges, ditches and bunkers and holes varying in length from 150 to 480 yards.

Club professionals; W Chester  - 1893-1895; W Hamblin - 1895/96; G Hamblin - 1896-1901; Lewis S Giles - 1901-1930.

The following report appeared in the Morning Post on Friday 22 December 1893 - "Norbury Golf Club - An opportunity now presents itself for a limited number of gentlemen to belong to a club combining the advantages of a good social club with a sporting golf links. The clubhouse, which is situated at Norbury (about 8 miles form the Royal Exchange  and Whitehall) contains spacious lounge, billiard, dining, bath and bed rooms, and good stabling and pleasure grounds. The Links will be laid out in the private park by a well known player who will be the club's resident professional. The club adjoins Norbury station which can be reached in about 18 minutes from London Bridge and Victoria stations. Play seven days a week. For particulars apply to the hon. secretary, 34 King Street, Cheapside."  

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the club from April 1894.

From the St James's Gazette Wednesday 11 April 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

From "Golf" Friday 26 April 1895 - "Thirty-three players competed in the Easter Monday handicap, when for the first time this spring the full course was played over. This, together with the high wind , made low scores impossible, and the two prizes were divided between R de. Montmorency and W T Hubbard , who were equal with 101 net. During the winter the course of nine-holes has been altered, lengthened, and made more difficult, and now affords good sport."

Result of the monthly medal played in July 1895; C Shepherd, 93-6-87. 

Result of the monthly medal played in April 1896; W M Yetts, 84 net.

Below is a report on the annual meeting held in November 1896.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the annual meeting held in November 1896.

Norwood News Saturday 7 November 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The winner of the November 1896 monthly medal was the Rev. G A Lewis, 89 net.

The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the location of the golf course in the 1890s.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Ordnance Survey Map showing the golf course in the 1890s

O.S. Map; Revised 1893 to 1894 - © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1898}.

 

In July 1898 a 36-hole professional tournament was held on the Norbury course.  Many people were interested to see J H Taylor who had recently been successful at Sheringham. In the morning he was in fine form and was in the lead after 18 holes, but in the second round he fell away, his short game in particular letting him down. Harry Vardon gave a wonderful consistent display with two rounds of 74. There was a large following for Ben Sayers, but unfortunately he had a very disappointing day. Result; Harry Vardon (Ganton) 74+74-148; James Braid (Romford) 75+76-151; J H Taylor (Wimbledon) 72+83-155; Peter Paxton (Tooting Bec) 81+81-162; J Thomson (North Surrey) 82+82-164; Ben Sayers (North Berwick) 83+90-173.

The December 1898 bogey resulted in a tie between Rev G A Lewis and F W Brown on 4down. The monthly medal was won by W M Yetts with a score of 87net.

In October 1897 Cuthbert Harris won the Epps Challenge Cup with a score of 101-18-83.

In January 1899 the monthly bogey was won by A Benge 2down. In March it was won by R E Leader all square.

The secretary in the early 1900s to the outbreak of WW1 was F Holmes, St Winifred’s, Norbury, SW. Lewis Giles was the professional and green-keeper in 1906 and was still there when the club closed in about 1930. The station at Norbury was ½ mile away.

Below is the November 1901 monthly medal won by H Windfield.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. The November 1901 monthly medal won by H Windfield..

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. The November 1901 monthly medal won by H Windfield..

 

Result of the Bank Holiday competition played in March 1902; J Lawrie, 77 net; AW S Aldridge, 81 net.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1893; membership of 113; hon. secretary - F Holmes, St. Winifred's, Norbury; captain, H B W Foulger; professional, L S Giles; entrance fee £2/2s and subs £4/4s; Terms for visitors, 1s a day, 2s/6d at weekend, 5s a week and 15s a month.

Result of the September 1908 monthly medal; Senior - M A Ballard, 82 net; Junior - M W Desborough, 85 net.

Result of the November 1908 monthly medal; Senior - W Halshide, 78 net; Junior - C J Noakes, 84 net.

The December 1908 monthly bogey was won by R J Cracknell, 4down.

Result of the August 1911 monthly medal; Senior - E R Horne, 74 net; Junior - H Fife, 77 net; monthly bogey winner was Dr. V C Bent, 1up.

Result of the September 1911 monthly medal; W P Rigden and A E Ford tied with 83 net; Junior - Dr. V C Bent, 86 net; Monthly bogey - E M Harding, 4up.

Result of the October 1911 monthly medal; Senior - R J Pragnell, 77 net; Junior - J E Sewell, 83 net. 

The autumn meeting was held in October 1911; Hubbard Cup and Gold Medal winner, G E Rigden; Special prize for monthly medal winners, D O Hooper; Best scratch score, F Holmes, 80; Best net score, G J Ball, 74. 

Results from October 1913.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Competition results from October 1913.

Norwood News Saturday 18 October 1913. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

In 1914 the joint secretaries were F Holmes of Well Farm, Warlingham and E R Horne, The Elms, Semley Road, Norbury. The entry fee was £2/2/0 and the Subs £4/4/0. Visitors’ fees on introduction were 1/- a day, weekends and Bank Holidays 2/6 a day, 5/- a week and 15/- a month. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.

During the 1920s the Club Telephone number was Streatham 795. The secretary was now R J Cracknell, 61 Babington Road, Streatham, London SW16. Amateur course record score was 73. Visitors’ fees were 3/- a day, 5/- a day at weekend.

Result of the July 1923 monthly bogey; H S Frost (24,) 5up. Monthly medal; Senior - C M Thomas (11,) G M Coward (11,) H Hardman (12) tied with 76 net; Junior - L Munro (15,) J Freshwater (22,) J Barratt (22,) J T Carroll (24) tied with 77 net.

Result of the August 1923 monthly medal; Senior - C S Richardson, 83-14-69; Junior - V Woodman, 93-24-69.

In the later 1920s the secretary was Joseph Skittrell.

In 1930 the secretary was J Milroy, 11 Buckleigh Road, Streatham. Course records were amateur 73 and professional 69, unfortunately no names given.

Below is a report on the closure and the history of Norbury Golf Club June 1931.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the closure of the club in June 1931.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the closure of the club in June 1931.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the closure of the club in June 1931.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the closure of the club in June 1931.

 

Norbury Golf Club, London. Report on the closure of the club in June 1931.

From the Norwood News Friday 26 June 1931. Images © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The Google Map below shows Wheelers convenience store. It was locally known as the “Golf House”. Note the contrast in style to the adjacent housing and that it is forward of the building line of the properties on both Stanford Road and Isham Road.

 

 

Norbury golf course map

There was a vast amount of redevelopment during the 1930s in London;  the Norbury District, Norbury, North Surrey,Tooting Bec, Pollards Hill and Streatham Common clubs all disappeared.