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Wembley Golf Club, Greater London. (1896 - 1928)

The club was founded 1896 although there is evidence that golf could have been played on the site as early as 1890.

An 18-hole undulating course with holes varying in length from 149 to 518 yards.

The following is from The Morning Post Thursday 12 March 1896. "A new golf club is to be opened within four' minutes walk of Wembley Park Station on the Metropolitan Railway. A long lease of fine undulating ground has been acquired direct from the freeholder, and an 18-hole course has been laid out by Willie Park jun., of Musselburgh. The course should prove an excellent winter one, as a large portion is on gravel soil, and the whole stands remarkably high. A most comfortable clubhouse is being erected, with billiard room, and a fine range of stabling is available for members who prefer to drive down to the course. Sunday play will be permitted. Particulars may be obtained from the secretary; N Lindsay, 22 Bramshill Road, Willesden."

David Herd of St Andrews was appointed professional in March 1896. 

Report on the course from June 1896.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 27 June 1896. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

Result of the April 1897 medal; senior (division 1) J K Hume, 86-10-76; junior (division 2) E Woodthorpe, 85-20-65.

Thanks to Golf Heritage @LdnGolfHistory for their help in compiling the following from 1898. 

From Golfing & Cycling October 1898. "To the golfer who visits Wembley for the first time the beauty of the scenery is a revelation, and he finds it difficult to beleive that 22 minutes' railway journey will land him in the turmoil and hustle of town. Alighting at Wembley Park Sation, the visitor turns to his left, and at once finds himself in the country; five minutes' walk will bring him to the clubhouse. The membership has now grown to 300. In March 1897 the clubhouse was completely destroyed by fire, but thepresent building, which is an extremely pretty one, is much larger than its predecessor, and contains every convenience that the golfer could desire, including a fine billiard room. From the verandah and windows of the house a fine view is obtained of Harrow in the distance and the home green in the foreground. The course which is very hilly, is an extremely sporting one, not one hole of the eighteen being without some particular difficulty. From the third tee there is a magnificent view on a clear day. On the extreme right Windsor Castle can be seen, in the centre the clubhouse lies far below nestling amongst the trees, while to the left the view extends to Kensington, with its Great Wheel, and in the far distance the Crystal Palace faintly in the sunlight. Barn Hill, the highest point on the course, is noted as the most beautiful spot in Middlesex, and in remote times a monastery stood here, the traces of which are distinctly visible. On the further side of the hill a wonderful panorama unfolds itself, with Stanmore and Bentley Priory on the left, Mill Hill in the centre, and the Welsh Harp, Neasden and Hampstead on the right.

Under the fostering care of P Nichols, the club's professional, the greens, which have been laid most carefully on eight inches of burnt ballast, are making steady progress towards ultimate perfection. The record of the green is held by Mr Franklin Ross at 70, and this is hardly likely to be lowered for some time.

The Marquess of Lorne K.T. President of Wembley Golf Club.

Mr Jeffreys Davis, Club Captain 1898.

A T W McCaul, Hon. Secretary.

The honours to be competed for during the year, besides the usual monthly medals and club prizes; The Carlton Shield. The James Cup and The Dewar Trophy."  

The eighth green.

The tenth green.

The sixteenth green.

The following is taken from "Golfing" December 1898 - A Lady's Opinion Of Wembley Course - "Miss Issette Pearson writes; Among the new links which have sprung up around the Metropolis there is one that deserves to be better known, especially among lady players. The eighteen holes are varied in character and in length. The fourth hole, for instance, is only a cleek shot for a young lady player. Another sporting hole is the seventh, which may take a cleek or brassie shot according to the wind; but besides having to carry a pond the line must be strictly kept or the hole will be stymied by a tree. For the long driver there is plenty of practice, as there is more than one hole that will take three to get on the green. Although the club is a young one, there are two or three promising players, and Mrs McCaul, secretary of the ladies' club, will always be pleased to see any lady who cares to go down and see the links; or Miss Blair, the captain, would be delighted to have a match at any time by appointment."  

The Wembley Clubhouse. From "Golfing" December 1898.

January 1898 bogey result; Franklin Ross (+6) 1up; M P Walsh (9) 1up; W J Shaw (14) all square. Mrs Calkin was the winner of the ladies January medal.

Result of the bogey for May 1898; O Langtree (22) all square; H F Overbury (15) 2down; A Chalk (10) 2down; F K Cobbett (16) 2 down.

Results of the Wembley Ladies Club spring meeting held in May 1898; Mrs Moseley, 108-10-98; Mrs McCaul, 135-36-99; Scratch Cup, Mrs Moseley; approach and putting, Mrs Leaver. The prizes were presented by Mr D J Davis.

Result of the December 1898 medal, Mr Francis Miller won the 12 and under handicap division with a score of 85-8-77, over 12 handicap T P Burns, 92-13-79. The ladies’ medal was won by Mrs Moseley. The monthly bogey competition was won by A H Vassie (scratch) 2up, runner-up R J Twyford (8) 1down. Winner of the ladies’ bogey was Mrs Shaw 2down.

Above images from The Sketch Wednesday 4 January 1899. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD

Result of the January 1899 medal; 1st class, E D Kilburn, 87-7-80; H D Carlton, 91-11-80; 2nd class, W H Edwards, 97-15-82. Mrs Nowell, 98net won the ladies medal. M P Walsh won the approach and putting competition for Mr F Dewar’s prize.

The February 1899 bogey was a tie between Dr G H Vassie and Mr Farey.

On Wednesday 15 March 1899 the annual club dinner was held at the Trocadero in Piccadilly, there were about 200 members and guests in attendance. The Marquess of Lorne, President of the Wembley club, was in the chair. In his speech he said that of all the places in the neighbourhood of London, he was of the opinion that the course at Wembley was in a most excellent position. He then went on to propose a toast to the founder of the club Mr McCaul.

Result of the April 1899 medal; 1st division, H J Cottam, 84-5-79; 2nd division, L F Overbury, 89-15-74.

In July 1899 the Challenge Bowl presented by the president, the Marquess of Lorne, was won by Mr D L Cottam.

The September 1899 bogey was won by F Freeth (7) all square, ladies winner, Mrs Hassell 3up.

The Tenth Green at Wembley.

Interesting story accompanied the above picture. "The Wembley Club Caddie Master, a fine old warrior, is one of the few surviving members of the Light Brigade. Five minutes' chat with Mr Wightman will give us a more vivid picture of that wonderful charge than many chapters of history. Surrounded by his flowers, of which he is justly proud, and smoking the pipe of peace, he will tell us how he was wounded in seven places and taken prisoner by the Russians, how at the end of his captivity when he rejoined his regiment he was court - martialed for absence without leave and honourably acquitted, and one will wish him many years of life to recount to the boys about him the magnificent story of the charge at which "all the world wondered."

Following is the result of the 1900 January bogey competition; W H Edwards, 1down; D J Davis, 2down. Ladies bogey, Mrs James, all square.

Mrs W J Laidlay ladies' captain in 1901.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 7 September 1901. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

In April 1902 Sir Charles Euan-Smith, vice-president of the club, presided at the annual dinner at the Trocadero Restaurant. Under the management of Horace Cottam, the secretary, the club was in a most prosperous condition. The Duke of Argyll, president of the club, was unable to attend. 

From The Tatler  23 April 1902. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The following is taken from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1896; Members 330; Hon. Sec. H J Cottam; Captain, H F Overbury; Entrance Fee £5/5s  and Subs £6/6s; Professional, T Winton; 18-Holes; Terms for Visitors, 1/- a day, 2/6 at weekend. The course is an undulating one with holes varying from 149 yards to 400 yards. It has been thoroughly drained, and is always dry. Sunday play is allowed and the clubhouse contains every convenience. Wembley Ladies' Golf Club was also listed. The ladies played on the gentlemen's course from shortened tees. They are allowed to play on weekdays and on Saturday mornings.

Horace J Cottam, the popular Wembley Secretary, did much for metropolitan golf. In the early 1900s he was the instigator of the Middlesex Challenge Trophy which was competed for annually by clubs in the county.

Horace J Cottam, Secretary in the 1900s.

Result of the 1908 August medal; F M Jourdain, 77-7-70; H S Kelly, 78-8-70; J N Taylor, 89-18-71.

Competition results from September 1911; Gold medal and replica - W R Ferguson, 80; Eighteen-hole club prize - C Death, 90-18-72; G Hall, 85-9-76 and M W Carmichael, 83-7-76 tied second; Thirty-six hole prize - C Death, 175-36-139; J E Harwood, 158-4-154; Carlton Shield - A Lyons, 74 net; Bogey competition tied between S W Gregory and J K Hume, all square.

Result of the December 1911 monthly medal; Senior - H V Sharp, 86-7-79; W R Ferguson, 82-3-79; B Wilkinson, 87-8-79; Junior - M MacNaughten Jones, 93-16-77.

The Wembley Golf Club caddies decided to strike in July 1913. They were unhappy with the rate of pay and were demanding a rise from 11d a round to 1s/6d. They picketed the entrance to the course, the poor members having to carry their own clubs during the dispute.

Above, famous comedians Harry Lauder and Neil Kenyon playing an unusual match on the Wembley course in November 1913, the winner receiving a dish of haggis.

In 1914 the secretary was A B Field. The professionals were R M Wilson and W A Anderson (1914 to 1917). The club had a membership of 400. Entry fees were £5/5/0 and subs £6/6/0. Restricted members (not allowed to play weekends and Bank Holidays) £4/4/0. Visitors fees on introduction were 2/6 a day, 10/- a week and £1/10/0 a month. The station was at Wembley Park, Metropolitan Line was 8 minute walk away. The clubhouse had full facilities.

Result of a ladies' match against Ealing Ladies' in June 1914.

Middlesex County Times Saturday 20 June 1914. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1923 the secretary was Captain H W Bartlett MC. AISA, at the Golf Club, Wembley, Middlesex telephone 11. The professional was W F Harris and the greenkeeper J H Rusell. Visitors’ fees were now 2/6 a day, 5/- a day at weekend, 15/- a week and £2 a month.

Result of the April 1923 monthly medal; Senior - H V Sharp, 77-4-73, and A H Dabell, 79-6-73, tied; Junior - J T Osler, 90-17-73.

The competition for the Captain's Prize was played in May 1923; Round 1 results - S G Hughes, 81-13-68; C Death, 78-7-71; A C Griffin, 83-11-72; F A Sherratt, 83-10-73.

In 1926 the secretary was still Captain Bartlett the professional was A Wells and the greenkeeper J H Russell. Professional course record held by A Wells 66. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a round, 3/6 a day, 5/- a day at weekend on introduction 10/- if not introduced, 15/- a week and £2 a month. Sunday play with caddies.

Wembley Golf Club disappeared in the late 1920s. The area is now part of the impressive Fryant Country Park project.