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Beckenham Golf Club, Woodside Course. (1892 - WW2)

The club was founded in 1892/3 the course was laid out over the old Croydon Racecourse. The racecourse proved a very popular venue with race enthusiasts from London in the Victorian era, unfortunately the then Mayor of Croydon was not a racing fan. He was unhappy with the type of people it was attracting and following pressure from the Mayor the race track closed. It was brought by Beckenham Golf Club and continued as a golf course until the late 1930s. The course was acquired by the Council in 1942, the area is now the Stroud Green housing estate and Ashburton  playing fields.

Result of the January 1894 monthly medal and a report on the annual meeting.

"Golf" Friday 2 February 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In April 1894 the competition for the President’s Trophy resulted in a tie between A J Ayden, W Rait, H Aste, and H Doble all 86 net. The Noakes scratch medal was won by A L Jockel, 92.

On Saturday 20th May 1894 the monthly Gold medal resulted in a tie between S F Prest and A S Main with 89 net. The Silver medal also resulted in a tie, between H W Wright and A Howard both 80 net. The tie for the President’s trophy was played off and won by Mr H Doble, 106-17-89.

Result of the 1894 September monthly medals; Gold, H Pullen and H Baker tied at 80 net; Silver, won by Mr Boraston,  99-21-78.

In October 1894 Mr W C Michie won the Noakes scratch medal with 90. The President’s trophy went to Mr J Aste with 82 net. Mr H P Tidy took the prize for the best net on the last nine holes, and Mr F Cancellor , for the best first nine. Mr H W Drew won the prize for the over 18 handicaps.

Following is the result of the March 1895 medal; Gold, W Rait, 90-9-81; Silver, F G Hornsby, 112-24-88. The tie for the last monthly Gold medal was played off, H Baker Munton winning with 106-16-90.

In May 1895 the Ottley Cramp prize was won by E Milner Jones, 103-18-85. The tie for the Captain’s prize was played off and won by A L Jockel, 86 scratch he beat A J Ayden, 98-5-93. Monthly medal result; Gold, L N Dunn, 91-14-77; Silver, S W Gibbs, 102-18-84.

Result of a match played at Woodside against Seaford Golf Club in May 1895.

"Golf" Friday 7 June 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 1895 medal winners; Gold, B H Latter, 89-14-75; Silver, H B Spottiswoode, 105-24-81.

In December 1895 the Boxing Day captain’s prize was shared by F M Walker and W B Bishop. December medal winners; Gold, F M Walker; Silver, J Annan.

In February 1896 the winners of the bogey competition were; Gold, C W Link, 1down; Silver, Paul Alliston, 1down.

March 1896 medal winners; Gold, H Doble, 90-8-82; Silver, H Inglis, 112-24-88.

Result of the bogey competition April 1896; Gold, W B Bishop (8) 3up; Silver, E W Flyffe (17) 5down.

On Saturday 30 May 1896 the Beckenham Open Amateur Competition was held at “Woodside, where the old Croydon racecourse has been turned in to a first class 18 hole golf course” There were 73 competitors. Captain Nugent (Seaford) and N R Foster (Wimbledon) were drawn together, and had the largest following. Lord Ernest Hamilton (Littlehampton) and Dr Bruce Goff (Brighton) the latter playing off plus 3 and the former off 2, also had a good gallery. Captain Nugent was in great form returning two rounds of 82 playing off scratch. He won the two 15 guinea prizes for the best gross and net scores. Next came; Mr H Baker Munton, 99-10-89 and 89-10-79 total 168; Mr W Newton Dunn, 90-10-80 and 100-10-90 total 170.  Mr Dunn won the prize for the best 18 hole net score.

Result of the May 1896 medal; Gold, A L Crosdale, 96-13-83; Silver S F Bessemer, 109-24-85. There was a total entry of 70 competitors.

The following is taken from "Golfing and Cycling Illustrated" 20 May 1897 - The Golfer in Cockaigne - Beckenham Golf Club - By R A Foster. (Thanks to Golf Heritage - @LdnGolfHistory).

"What was formerly the Croydon Racecourse, surrounded by a hoop of trees, and comprising 120 acres of meadow land, now constitutes the links of the Beckenham golfers. From Cannon Street or Charing Cross Stations the journey occupies just enough time to ash a slow Havana. From Woodside Station the clubhouse is within striking distance of a catapult.

Mr Jockel shares the record for the course with Booth, the professional, with a score of 78.

The secretary, Mr S F Prest, (who has just succeeded Mr P G Collins, now promoted to captain), welcomed us like the golfing enthusiast the members know him to be. He told the story of the club's phenomenal progress since its formation in 1892, and conducted us into the old tithe barn, which has been converted into the homeliest imaginable club-room. A cross-beam in the roof bears the date 1761. The members sat around at small tables, chatting gaily, like fellows who infinitely preferred the old-inn aspect of their rural sanctum to the more pretentious appointments of upholstered urban counterparts.

Mr P G Collins, Captain.

Mr S F Prest, Secretary.

The clubhouse.

Now to make a survey of the links. Let it be calculated that the outgoing nine-holes are about four strokes easier than the incoming nine. The eighteen-holes were laid out by Tom Dunn, a celebrity in his day, and now teaching Yankees a better game than baseball. It was Tom's great care to keep the bunkers well away from the tee, so as to inspire good driving. But fair enough sportsmen may often be tempted to lie conveniently on this side when strokes are being recorded. Consequently Beckenham affords rare opportunities for far drivers distinguishing themselves. A canal intersects four holes at different stages and forms a very effective aquatic hazard. In winter the current runs so briskly that it is no uncommon  sight to see a player drop his sticks and bolt after his shillingsworth before it is carried down the wood.

The ninth winter hole ought surely to be included in the summer course. Booth's ingenuity has constructed a clever arrangement of bunkers to encourage accurate driving. There is a small bunker, with two large ones looming twenty paces behind on either side, showing up a clear straight line for the green beyond. The idea is that a short driver gets caught by the little bunker, and a far driver of the straight, is caught in the bigger trap.

The 13th hole is allowed to be the stiffest on the course, and its neighbour, the 12th, is excellently well done in five. This hole has the finest punch bowl green we have yet seen. Hundreds of cart loads of soil went in to the making of it.

Course layout.

The Bunkers.

Beckenham has a climate of its own. You have not traversed half-a-dozen holes till the delicious coolness of the air elicits remarks. The members say that be it never so sultry in London, a grateful breeze always awaits them at the links. The view from the higher holes is very charming, comprehending the Crystal Palace perfectly outlined against the sky, amid the villadoms of Beulah Hill and Sydenham. In the gloaming of a summer evening the woods ring with the melodies of nightingales."   

Result of the April 1897 bogey competition; Gold, W Gibbs, 2down; Silver, J Fawcett, 5down.

Saturday 29 May 1897 was a very busy day at Woodside. Two competitions were taking place. The second Beckenham Open Amateur, and a professional 36 hole match between J H Taylor (Wimbledon) winner of The Open in 1894 and 1895 and Jack White (Mitcham) After a very close match between the professionals Jack White ran out the winner by 2 and 1. About 90 players representing clubs throughout the UK took part in the Open Amateur competition. The weather in the morning was really unpleasant, with rain and high winds. Norman R Foster (the Wimbledon Club’s hon secretary) swept the board, winning the scratch prize, 18 holes handicap, 36 hole handicap and first sweepstakes. Leading scores; N R Foster, 81+  85-166, scratch 166; Franklin Ross (Civil Service) 85+82-167, scratch 167;D M Scott (Chiswick) 86+88-174 less 6, 168; R H Hedderwick (Eltham) 87+90-177 les 8, 169; R R Gilroy (Newhaven) 83+87-170 scratch , 170; C Webb (Epsom) 93+94-187 less 16, 171; C A Lidgey (Beckenham) 95+96-191 less 20, 171; F Scrutton (Redhill & Reigate) 94+93-187 less 16, 171; A J Ayden (Beckenham) 90+88-178 less 6, 172; T Cavanagh (Seaford) 93+95-188 less 16, 172.

Result of the August 1897 bogey; Gold, A L Crosdale (10) 2up; Silver, J F Alpe (14) 2up.

Eighty members turned out for the March 1898 medal; Gold, T Stirling, 88-10-78; Silver medal was tied, A Nelliss, 99-20-79 and J C Stevens, 103-24-79.

Result of the April 1898 medal; Gold medal was a tie, H Doble, 84-4-80, P G Collins, 89-9-80 and T P Riddle, 92-12-80; Silver, P Carr, 92-22-70.

Result of the May 1898 medal; Gold, H Baker-Munton, 89-5-84; Silver was a tie between O T S Poulter 102-13-89 and H C Bond 107-18-89.

On Saturday 4 June 1898 the club held the third successive Open Amateur competition. Again excellent entries were received. Among the clubs represented were; Royal Wimbledon, Royal and Ancient, Tooting Bec, Princes, London Scottish, Elie, Mid-Surrey, Bromley and Bickley, Crowborough Beacon, Bush-hill, Eltham, West Drayton, Redhill and Reigate, Honor Oak, Chiswick, Raynes Park, Cinque Ports, Deal, Seaford, Woodford and Wembley. Prizes were offered for the best 36 hole aggregate, this was won by Norman R Foster (Royal Wimbledon) 167; for the best net 36 holes, handicap, won by W C Michie (Beckenham); and a prize for the best net handicap score in either round, tied between Mr Foster, 78 +1-79, Mr Michie, 84-5-79. Result as follows; W C Michie, Beckenham  178-10-168; N R Foster, Royal Wimbledon 167+2-169; A L Jockel, Beckenham 170 scratch; J H Outhwaite, Elie 170+2-172; E G Rand, Raynes Park 173 scratch; F Cancellor, Mid-Surrey 181-8-173; A C Barton, Epsom 182-6-176; D Evans, Eltham 190-14-176.

Result of the monthly bogey for August 1898; Gold, A S Main, 2down; Silver, F Stevens, N Noakes and A Crosdale tied on 1down.

At the autumn meeting held on Saturday 1 October 1898 the Noakes Scratch Medal was won by H Baker Munton with 84; a 36 hole competition with handicaps exceeding 12 was won by A Crosdale, 195-36-159, he also won the prize for the best round with 93.

Result of the medal for January 1899; Gold, J D Cowan; Silver, J F Evans.

Result of the September 1899 medal; Gold, H W Wright, 89-9-80; Silver, G C Lane, 92-20-72.

In September 1900 at the Autumn meeting F S Heath won the scratch medal with 79and the President’s trophy with 160-4-156. E R Adams won the handicap prize 96-20-76.

Famous names playing  at Beckenham in May 1903.

The Field Saturday 30 May 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The following is taken from the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser Friday 20 September 1907. “Remarkable Drive” What is believed to be a record drive has just been made on the Beckenham course by W H Horne, the local professional. He drove altogether 381 yards, the spot where the ball stopped being marked by Mr Potter, a club member, it was then measured. There was only a slight faltering wind, and the ground was level. The previous longest known drive was Mr Edward Blackwell’s 366 yards at St Andrews fifteen years ago.

Result of the Boxing Day competition 1909; E H Simpson, 74-5-69; C H Carter, 74-2-72; W A F Rogers, 76-4-72; C E S Innes, 77-5-72; W Gibbs, 81-9-72; W H Crowley, 82-10-72; Paul Alliston, 81-8-73; S E Tidy, 87-14-73; J H Cooper, 89-16-73. 55 competed.

Result of the August 1911 monthly medal; Gold - H W Cutbill and J Tidey tied at 80 net; Silver - W Read, 75 net.

Result of the September 1911 monthly medals; Gold - R G Tanner, 1down; Silver - C Combe, 2down.

Result of a match played on the Woodside course against Park Langley Golf Club on 4 June 1912.

Result of the Sutton Cup played on Saturday June 22nd 1912; J S Innes, 89-14-75; H Smith, 101-24-77; G E Lockhart, 93-14-79; G H Gasson, 96-15-81.

Result of the August 1912 medal; Gold - H W Cutbill, 82-10-72; W S C Wilcox, 80-3-77; R Curwen, 84-6-78; H Van Green, 85-5-80; E A Sturt, 85-5-80; C E Michael, 88-8-80; Silver - J C Ferrier, 99-18-81; W B Robarts, 107-24-83.

In April 1913 the monthly medal was played in conjunction with the Richard Winch Cup, there were 72 competitors; Gold - *A D Campbell, 88-11-77; E B Tipping, 78+1-79; J Tidy, 87-8-79; W S C Wilcox, 83-3-80; G A Baxandall, 91-11-80; W A F Rogers, 84-3-81; R Curwen, 86-5-81; Silver - *A T Jenkinson, 92-15-77; H A Francis, 99-18-81; J Bullpitt, 105-24-81. *Tie for Richard Winch Cup.

Result of the 36-hole competition for the Baker Munton Bowl played in May 1913; W S C Wilcox, 167-6-161; P E Tidy, 162 scratch; H W Cutbill, 177-12-165; R Curwen, 177-10-167; J S Innes, 183-16-167; A M Cutbill, 191-24-167; J Tidy, 185-16-169; A T Jenkinson, 193-24-169.

Result of a foursomes match played on the Woodside course in June 1913 against Banstead Downs Golf Club.

In 1914 the secretary was E L Storrar, Foscote, Beckenham and the professional C Gray. An 18 hole well laid out course of average length. It was mostly on gravel and was clean and dry, the greens were good. The Bogey score for the course was 79. There was  a membership of 250.  Entry fee was £5/5/0 for full members. There was no entry fee for five day members. Subs for gents were £5/5/0, five day members £3/3/0 and ladies £2/12/6. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, 10/- a week, 30/- a month. Temporary membership for 6 months cost £3/3/0. Ladies were not allowed to play at weekends. Sunday play was allowed without caddies. Stations at Woodside (SE & CR) 3 minutes and Norwood Junction 1 mile.

Result of the April 1914 medal; Gold - G H Driver, 87-5-82; H Val. Green, 87-5-82; E A Sturt, 86-3-83; H G Palmer, 94-10-84; Silver - C H Bacon, 93-14-79; A Sugden, 108-24-84; L D Smart, 101-16-85; R H Fairbairns, 109-24-85. The winner of the Richard Winch Cup was C H Bacon, 93-14-79.

On Saturday 25 July 1914 Mr H G Rowbotham, captain of the club, had a hole in one at the eighth, the hole measured 220 yards.

The location of the course and clubhouse at the time of WW2.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1919}

Report from the Norwood News Friday 14 July 1916 - "GOLFERS AT HAYMAKING - An interesting meeting of the members of the Beckenham Golf Club took place in the Clubhouse, Woodside, on Thursday evening last week when 54 members sat down to a supper given by the captain, M Bartholomew, to celebrate the successful conclusion of the first haymaking. It appears that the Government had requested the club to preserve as much hay as they possibly could. to do this, the committee, early in the year, had sent out a circular to the members asking for volunteers to assist the depleted staff, many of whom had enlisted. In response to this a great many of the members, both ladies and gentlemen, had responded, and for many weeks, instead of playing golf had been busy haymaking, and in cutting and weeding bunkers and other work, so that the first crop of hay had been safely gathered and ricked. On Saturday next Richard Winch, captain 1903/04, has invited Harry Vardon to play a match at Woodside against the local professional Claude Gray. No charge will be made for admission but flags will be sold for the benefit of the Red Cross Fund."

Visit of Harry Vardon in July 1916.

Beckenham Journal Saturday 22 July 1916. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the annual meeting in November 1917.

Beckenham Journal Saturday 24 November 1917. Image © Archant. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1922 the secretary was E A Gifford, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1 and the professional H Brown.

The winner of the Richard Winch Cup in April 1923 was T R Hammond, 83-15-68.

An 18-hole course the amateur course record was held by G L Mellin with a score of 71, professional record holder was H Vardon 69. Visitors’ fees on introduction were 2/6 a day and 15/- a week.

In 1930 the secretary at Beckenham Golf Club, Woodside, Croydon was E A Gooch.

Below is the result of a Surrey team match played at Pollards Hill Golf Club in April 1939.

From 1935 to the clubs final appearance in 1940 the secretary was G Cameron, telephone Addiscombe 1132. The professional was still H Brown and the green-keeper L B Pinner. An 18-hole course with a SSS. of 73 and a Par of 71. There was a membership of 350. Visitors’ fees on introduction were 2/6 a day, 10/- at weekend and Bank Holiday.

The following report appeared in the Norwood News in January 1944 - "The Minister of Health promised to give every consideration to the protests made by the Croydon Vigilance Association in respect of Beckenham Golf Course, on which the Council desire to build."

Location of the Beckenham golf course.

Grid reference TQ35280,66930, co-ordinates 535280,166930.