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West Drayton Golf Club, Greater London. (1895 - 1916)

The club was founded in 1895 by a group of local gentlemen with Mr Ernest Humber as a leading proponent.

The River Colne formed the boundary on two sides and also crossed the course, which was originally laid out by Mr Fairlie. It was considerably altered and extended in 1905 by J H Taylor. Further changes were made by Willie Park in 1907.

The original course, with a bogey of 80, covered almost three miles in length, with holes varying from 125 yards to 521 yards, and was constructed on gravel subsoil. Hazards included the river, ditches and artificial bunkers. Course records were as follows: amateur, Mr H W Beveridge (72) and professional, Robert Thomson (66). The clubhouse was located in the old Mill House. 

Club prizes included the Fairlie Challenge Medal, the Grimsdale Cup and the Gairdner Cleek Competition together with the usual monthly competitions.

Report on the new club and course in May 1895.

"Golf" Friday 17 May 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the opening of the course on Saturday 22 June 1895.

“Golf” Friday 21 June 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Above is an undated postcard of the West Drayton course. Authors Collection.

It was reported in November 1895 that a match had been arranged to take place between J H Taylor (Open Champion) and J Braid, of the Army and Navy Stores, over the West Drayton course on Saturday 14 December over 36 holes. The game was much looked forward to and it was hoped that Braid would put up a good show against the Champion. Manc Courier and L G A Tues 26 Nov 1895. 

The match was played in front of a large crowd, the greens were very heavy and the bunkers were stated as being “straight-faced”. Braid was in top form outdriving his opponent from start to finish but Taylor matched Braid on his approach play and putting. Scores – Braid scored 73 and 71 for 144 and Taylor, 73 and 73 (146). The purse of 12 sovereigns was shared.

West Drayton Clubhouse.

Below article is from "Golf" in February 1896.

From "Golf" Friday 7 February 1896.

Following are the leading net scores for the 1896 February medal; C Gibbons, 78; H Haldane, 78; J Williams, 81; J Dyer, 82; W Miller, 83; H Pegg, 84; M Cababe, 86.

The winner of the medal played on Saturday 25 April 1896 was F A Fairlie with a score of 79+3-82.

R A Slee won the May 1896 medal with a score of 77net.

S Winkley Smith of West Drayton played in the Irish Amateur Championship in September 1896. The September monthly medal was won by H C Haldane, 86-10-76, runner-up was J E Williams, 96-15-81.

The March 1897 medal resulted in a tie between E Barrrett, 98-20-78 and G H Garrard, 98-20-78.

In April 1897 the Captain’s prizes, given by Mr Humbert, for players with a handicap of 15 and over was won by E Barrett 2up, runner-up Dr Ball all square. Result of the April monthly medal; G E Healing, 86-14-72; F Sanderson, 95-17-78.

In May 1897 the silver beaker presented by the captain, Mr Humbert, for players with a handicap under 15, was won by S Winkley Smith, 3up. P Barlow and W H Miller tied for second on 2up.

The June 1897 monthly medal winner was Hal Ludlow, 82-2-80.

August 1897 monthly medal result; J D Hart, 85-10-75; A Hart, 85-8-77.

September 1897 medal resulted in a tie between, A Hart, F R Roberts and E Barrett, 77net. Mr D M Grimsdale one of the founder members of the club, presented a silver bowl for competition.

The winners of the February 1898 medals were; (Senior) G E Healing, 86-9-77; (Junior) G S Adams, 99-20-79.

Below is the result of a match played at West Drayton against West Middlesex Golf Club in May 1898.

A three ball professional match involving Harry Vardon, James Braid and J H Taylor was played at West Drayton on Saturday 9 July 1898. A considerable crowd gathered around the first tee for the morning round. Unfortunately Taylor was suffering with inflammation of his right eye and was unable to play the first eighteen holes, but he revived sufficiently to play in the afternoon. The weather was fine and it was reported that close to a remarkable 700 spectators turned up to watch the afternoon round. In the morning Braid and Vardon drove the ball brilliantly but Braid was a bit uncertain on the greens. In the second round all departments of his game came together and he provided the large crowd with some excellent golf. The scores as follows; Braid, first round, out 42, in 35; second round, out 39, in 38, total 154; Vardon, first round, out 40, in 38; second round, out 39, in 40, total 157; Taylor, out 43, in 38, total 81.

Below result of a professional match again played in July 1898.

West Middlesex Gazette Saturday 30 July 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the January 1899 medal; (Senior) A H Obryen Taylor, 92-12-80; (Junior) E M Evan-Smith, 98-15-83.

Result of the June 1899 medal; (Senior) A Quitzow, 97-7-80; (Junior) F E Wood, 100-15-85, tied with J Clark, 102-17-85.

The monthly medal was played on Saturday 29 July 1899; (Senior) A R Heathcote, 87-5-82; (Junior) P W De La Mette, 104-20-84. In the final of the Gairdner Challenge Cleek F E Wood beat D Ferguson by 3&1.

Following is the result of the January 1900 medal competition. First division (Senior) E Thatcher, 88-4-84. Second division (Junior) B James, 98-15-83; A W Wills, 101-18-83; C P Wills, 100- 17-83.

Result of the September 1900 monthly medal; Senior – W B Miller, 87-5-82; Junior – C R Nugent, 95-18-77.

Result of the November 1900 monthly medal; Senior – R G Pollock, 89-9-80; Junior – S Fraser, 105-20-85. 

In 1904/5 the secretary was J Hughes, Norwood Green Southall, the captain was F Beaumont. The professional was L Thomson who also held the course record of 67 (14 April 1904). The amateur course record was held by H W Beveridge, 70 (July 23rd 1904). Entrance fee was £4/4s and subs £5/5s. Membership was 250.

There was also a West Drayton Ladies’ club listed at this time, the club was instituted in 1900. The secretary was Mrs Thornhill, 13 Down Place, Kensington, and the captain Mrs C Woodbridge. Amateur record holder was Mrs G Hunter, 82. Entrance fee was 21/- and subs 21/-. There was a membership of 58.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 8 August 1903. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Extract from the text accompanying the above article; W L Thomson, who has been round the eighteen-holes in the fine score of 72, whilst, I fancy, nobody has yet succeeded in beating the amateur score of 75 set up by Mr Fowlie. During the year several good prizes are put up for competition; among which may be mentioned the Fairlie Medal, Gardiner Cleek, Grimsdale Cup, and The Winklie Smith Bowl. 

The course was clearly prestigious, with a professional match being held over the course on 5 May 1905, when the following scores were recorded: W Thomson 78, J Braid 77, H Vardon 76, and J H Taylor 75. An afternoon four ball foursome competition resulted in Varden and Taylor beating Braid and White with four up and 3 to play.  Individaul scores were Taylor (73), Vardon (75), Braid (75), and White (81).

On Saturday 1 July 1905 the West Drayton club entertained a team from the Bar Golfing Society at Trewsley. Interesting name in the Barristers’ team is that of a certain Mr B Darwin, result below.

During 1907 the course was redesigned and enlarged by Willie Park, with holes ranging from 115 yards to 465 yards. The course occupied old pasture land, and hazards consisted of ditches, ponds and artificially constructed bunkers. The putting greens were reported to be large and of good quality, the bogey for the enlarged course was 78.

On the West Drayton course on Thursday 14 February 1907 Rowland Jones (Wimbledon Park) and A H Toogood (West Essex) qualified for the final of the London Professional Foursome Tournament. They beat J Turner (Loudwater) and R McKenzie (Beaconsfield) in the semi-final by 8&7.

In March 1908 at the London Amateur Foursome Tournament A H O B Taylor and T W Hemmerde of West Drayton won their second round match at Sunningdale.

On Saturday 9 July 1910 Abe Mitchell competed in an open amateur competition at West Drayton. This was to celebrate the extension of the course and enlargement of the clubhouse. This was presumably a further modification of the earlier work carried out by Willie Park. There were a large number of competitors. His score of 74 created a new record, seventy four was also the record for the “old and shorter links”. 

The Eastern and Southern sections of the professional golfers decided their qualifying competitions on Wednesday 19 July 1911 for places in the match play stages of the £400 tournament. The southern section competed for 12 places, half of the entrants playing at West Drayton and the other half at Acton (also now defunct). The eastern section was played at Woodbridge, Suffolk.

The conditions at West Drayton were perfect, and with the fiery greens it made scoring difficult. Fred Robson (West Surrey) led the field with an aggregate of 150. The big surprise was the inability of J H Taylor to qualify. The ex-champion struggled with his mashie play and his round of 83 in the morning scuppered his chances.

The following six players qualified; Fred Robson, West Surrey, 74+76= 150; Charles Mayo, Burhill, 79+73=152; James Batley, Bushey Hall, 75+77=152; Alec Herd, Coombe Hill, 75+79=154; A Catlin, Old Ford Manor, 75+81=156; L Ayton, Bishop Stortford, 82+75=157.

The following players received £2/10s; E Mitchell, East Sussex, 159; J H Taylor, Mid Surrey, 159; J Bradbeer, Radlett, 161; Jack White, Sunningdale, 161.

The qualifying round for the "News of the World Tournament" was played at West Drayton at the end of July in 1911.

Result of the August 1911 monthly medal; Senior - J A Norris, 82 net; Junior - R Sheldon, 85 net.

Caddies perilously searching for balls at the "News of the World Tournament" in 1911. Image courtesy @LdnGolfHistory. 

Result of the 1911 October medal; Senior - J A Murray, 87-6-81; Junior - J A T Wild, 95-16-79.

Impressive new professional course record by J Ockenden in July 1913.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 12 July1913. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

In 1914 the secretary was P K Langdale and professionals W Bourne (1910 to 1914) and J Ockenden (1914 to 1919). An 18 hole course with gravel subsoil and a total length of 6,091yds. The course was laid out on the site of the old West Drayton racecourse. The club had a membership of 250. Entry fees for full members were £4/4/0 and five day members £1/1/0. Subs for full members £5/5/0, five day £3/3/0. Visitors’ fees on introduction were 2/6 a day, weekend 5/-, 10/- a week and 30/- a month. Sunday play was allowed with caddies. The station at West Drayton was 3 minutes away there was also a good service between Paddington and West Drayton.

Also in 1914 was the West Drayton Ladies Club. The secretary was Mrs Bowyer, “Fraybrook”, West Drayton telephone Yiewsley 21. Entry fees were £1/1/0 and subs £2/2/0. Visitors fees on introduction 1/- a round, 2/- a day and 10/- a month. Ladies played over the full course from forward tees on some holes.

In May 1914 Mrs Church Bliss, Mrs Martin Hall and Miss Nesta Farwel(l), from West Drayton GC, played in the Ladies’ Championship at Hunstanton.  

It was announced in January 1916 that one of the best known clubs in London, West Drayton, was to close. A quarter of its members had gone to war and many others had resigned due to the economic situation. The committee found they were unable to pay the rent and other expenses amounting to £530, to say nothing of the cost of the upkeep of the club and course.

Interesting to note that the golf course was still appearing on Ordnance Survey maps in the 1930s.

Ordnance survey Map Revised in 1932 © Crown Copyright {1935}

West Drayton Golf Club disappeared after WW1.