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Coulsdon Court Golf Club. Coulsdon. (1912 – 1937)
Little is known of the first Coulsdon Golf Club which appeared prior to WW1.
Professional at Coulsdon in 1912/13 was J C Hyde and in 1914 W Ivory.
This article relates to the history of the earlier Coulsdon Court Golf Club.
Coulsdon Court Golf Club appeared in the 1920s and continued until 1937. The 18-hole course was laid out by H S Colt on private land owned by the Cearn family.
The current Coulsdon Court Golf Club was formed in 1938.
Advert for the course in October 1926.
Croydon Times Saturday 23October 1926. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Croydon Times Saturday 6 November 1926. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In December 1926 Leslie Cotton was appointed professional to the new Coulsdon Court Golf Club. E G Pengelly moved to the Woodford Golf Club.
It was reported in January 1927 that the opening of the clubhouse would take place on 5 February.
From the Golfer’s Handbook 1928; Coulsdon Court GC; Membership 400; Professional, L Cotton; Green-keeper, T Jones; 18-holes; Visitors, 3s/6d a day, 5s at weekend if playing with a member, 10s otherwise, 10s Bank Holidays.
Ladies’ Open Meeting in May 1929.
Croydon Times Saturday 4 May 1929. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In June 1929 Henry Cotton played a 36-hole exhibition match against the American Horton Smith. Cotton won by 6 and 5.
In October 1929 Leslie Cotton, the home professional, created a new course record of 65. The previous record of 67 was made by A Compston.
In the early 1930s the Cearn family sold the course to the members.
Daily Mirror Tuesday 12 August 1930. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Croydon Times Saturday 23 May 1931. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Golfer’s Handbook 1933; Membership 550; Secretary- Comdr. H D C Stanistreet, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired); Professional, L Cotton; Green-keeper, E A King; 18-holes; Course records; Amateur – D Grant White, 72; Professional – A Compston, 67; Visitors, gents 3s/6d a day , ladies 2s/6d, 5s at Weekend and Bank Holiday if playing with a member, 10s otherwise.
In February 1935 Leslie Cotton, brother of Henry Cotton, resigned from his post as professional. At the age of 28 he was retiring from professional golf completely.
In 1936 the members were unable to keep the course going and it was sold back to the Cearn family. The course was leased to Croydon Council on the condition that it would always be used as a course for the general public.
The Tatler Wednesday 19 August 1936. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Golfer’s Handbook 1937; Membership 500; Secretary- Comdr. H D C Stanistreet, D.S.O., R.N. (Retired); Professional, A Hedges; Green-keeper, J Westley; 18-holes, Par 71, SSS 73; Course records; Amateur – R W Upex, 70; Professional – A Compston, 67; Visitors, gents 3s/6d a day , ladies 2s/6d, 5s at Weekend and Bank Holiday if playing with a member, 10s otherwise.
Ordnance Survey Map from the 1930s showing the golf course.
O.S. Map Revised 1934; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1936}.
Surrey Mirror Friday 1 October 1937. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
The current club was formed in 1938.