The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Raynes Park Golf Club, Surrey. (1893 - 1925)

The club was founded  in 1893.

Raynes Park rented a private house to use as a clubhouse, access to the course was over a stile in the back garden of the house. After a few years a wooden clubhouse was built adjacent to Raynes Park railway station. In 1925 the lease for the golf course was about to expire and a club member, also a property developer, bought the freehold for housing development. This housing estate has roads with golf associated names to reflect the former use. Although mostly built over some of the area is still green with parkland and sport fields.

In December 1925 a farewell dinner was held at Raynes Park. Although a sad occasion the members were looking forward to their new venture with a course at Malden.

Tom Dunn lays out the course in 1893.

From "Golf" 22 December 1893.

Report on the progress of the club in May 1894.

"Golf" Friday 11 May 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Early officers of the Raynes Park Golf Club.

Result of the opening competition played in June 1894.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 30 June 1894. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

Raynes Park Golf Club button.

The Ordnance Survey Map below is from the 1890s. 

O.S. Map Revised 1894 to 1895; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1898.}

Report on the golf course in July 1894.

Golf - Tuesday 3 July 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the Silver Iron foursome played in June 1895; C E Last and S W Adams beat S Scott and H H Winterbottom 2 and 1.

At the summer meeting held in July 1895 the scratch prize was won by C A W Cameron with a score of 86, the handicap prize was won by C A Cameron 82net, runner-up H Mossop, 89net.

On Thursday 10 October 1895 a professional 36 hole tournament was held at Raynes Park. Several well known professionals attached to various clubs competed for valuable prize money, given by the Raynes Park Golf Club, the first prize amounting to £15, the remaining £15 being divided in order of merit amongst the next seven men. J H Taylor the Open Champion proved successful, but only by one stroke, the runner-up being Jack White of Warlington. Both were in fine form and White’s 71 was a record for the course. There was a large gathering of spectators, and they enjoyed some splendid golf. The leading scores were; J H Taylor (Winchester) 77 & 72 – 149; J White (Warlington) 79 & 71 – 150; A Toogood (Mincinhampton) 78 & & 79 - 157; Peter Paxton (Tooting) 160; J Braid (Army & Navy Stores) 160; J S Pearson (West Middlesex) 161; A Tingey (Brancaster) 162; J Ross (Seaford) 164.

Result of the April 1897 medal; first division, J Beavis, 97-4-93; second division, H Owen, 109-16-93.

At the autumn meeting held in October 1897 E G Rand won the scratch score with a score of 90, Dr H Owen won the first division, 95-12-83, second division, C H Crocker, 97-16-81.

In May 1898 a 36-hole open amateur competition was held, the best gross score E Rand 84, the recently elected captain of Raynes Park.

Result of the December 1898 medal; first division Rev C Robins, 87-7-80; A Williamson, 91-6-85; second division Rev L Hunt, 97-16-81; C A Hewitt, 106-24-82.

Result of the January 1899 medal competition; 1st division, A Turner, 90-7-83; C Nettleton, 98-11-87; A Williamson, 93-6-87; B H M Smith, 95-8-87; 2nd division, Dr T Brown, 105-18-87; Dr Rand, 107-18-89; R Hislop, 109-20-89; Rev L Hurst, 106-14-92.

Result of the April 1899 medal; 1st division, C Nettleton, 95-11-84; H Martin, 97-9-88; P M Richards, 102-8-94; 2nd division, A B Rand, 90-14-76; E Cooper, 106-16-90; R Hislop, 113-20-93.

In June 1899 the annual Raynes Park amateur open stroke play tournament took place. This was a 36 hole competition with a handicap limit of 12. The first prize was a silver cup, valued at 7 guineas, won by Mr F K Cobbett of Hythe, second prize a silver cigarette box, value 5 guineas, won by Mr Norman Foster of Royal Wimbledon. A Silver flask, value 5 guineas, was given for the best 18 hole net score, this was won by Mr F Brown, Raynes Park, 94-12-82.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 5 January 1901. Above Images © Illustrated London News Group. Images created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1902 the secretary was N Challoner, Raynes Park Clubhouse, Surrey and the professional H E Yates. Course records, amateur R S Courtney 78 and professional Jack White 71.

Postcard showing the course and clubhouse. 

In 1906 the Secretary was Walter F Mapleston and the professional was still H E Yates. Course records were, amateur Kenneth Fradgley 75 and profesional Jack White 71. Visitors’ fees on introduction, were 2/- a day, 7/6 a week and 20/- a month.

Competition Spoon from December 1910 marked R.P.G.C. Made by Hukin & Heath, London. Images courtesy of http://www.oldsportsauction.com/

Early postcard of the Raynes Park course, note the cop bunkers in the centre of the picture. Authors Collection.

Result of the October 1911 monthly medal; Senior medal and Nettleton Bowl - J C Boyes, 75 net; Junior - A E Holbrook, 78 net.

The Annual Dinner held in March 1911.

In the first division monthly bogey competition for April 1913 the following all finished on 3 down; A D Fradgley, W A Walker, C H Hart, E S Wright, E C Weston.

Tom Ball the Raynes Park professional and winner of the Belgian Open in October 1913.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 25 October 1913. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

In 1914 the secretary was Major R F Walters at the Golf Club, Raynes Park. Telephone Wimbledon 1347. The professional was Tom Ball. The 18-hole course of  over 5,800 yards had excellent greens. The entry fee for gents was £5/5/0 plus a £1 preference share and ladies £2/2/0. Subs for gents £6/6/0 and ladies £2/2/0. Visitors had to be introduced and the fees were now, gents 2/6 a day, 10/- a day at weekends, 15/- a week and £1/10/0 a month. Ladies 2/6 a day, 10/- a week. Ladies were not permitted to play on Sundays or Bank Holidays, on Saturdays they had to start between 11 and 12, and were required to play with a Gentlemen. Sunday play was allowed with caddies. Local hotel was the Wimbledon Hill.

Also in 1914 was Raynes Park Ladies. Founded 1905. The secretary was Mrs Oliver, Grove House, Raynes Park. The membership was 100.

Tom Ball, the Raynes Park professional, retained his Belgian Open title at Antwerp on Saturday 11 July 1914.

Following information courtesy of "The PGA Remembers" project - Douglas Bert Howell; Elected Assistant Professional 1912. Southern Section; Club - Raynes Park, 1912; Regiment - Second Lieutenant 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry; Died - Killed in action 24th March 1918. Age 22; Buried - Arras Memorial. Ref: Bay 8; Notes - Douglas Howell was born in Worlington, Suffolk in 1896 the son of Walter Howell a golf club manager. Taught to play the game by his godfather Jack White, Douglas was to become attached to Raynes Park Golf Club (Now Malden). Formally in the 14th London Regiment and then Sergeant in the London Scottish Regiment he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry as Second Lieutenant. At the young age of 22 Howell fell in the Battle of Bapaume in the Picardy offensive March 1918.

Card of the course in 1914.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 4 October 1919. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Raynes Park Golf Club scorecard dated 6 June 1921.

In 1922 the Secretary was Lieutenant Colonel J C Crawford. The professional was J Ockendon and the  green-keeper H Cordell. Course records were , amateur A D Fradgley73 and professional Tom Ball 69.Visitors’ fees were 5/- a day (3/6 if accompanied), 10/- a day at Weekend, £1 a week, £2 a month. Ladies 3/6 a day (2/6 if accompanied) 15/- a week, 30/- a month. Station at Raynes Park 300 yards away.

Club marked J Ockenden, Raynes Park. Image courtesy of “Haven Curios.”

In the mid 1920s the secretary was Major R H Frost MBE the professional was J Ockenden and the green-keeper H Cordell. 18-holes with a membership of 450. Course records were, amateur A Fradgley 73 and professional Tom Ball 69. Visitors’ fees, 2/6 a round, 3/6 a day, 10/- at weekend and Bank Holiday, £1 a week and £2 a month. Sunday play with caddies.

Postcard showing the golf links in the mid 1920s.

Two early post cards of Raynes Park (1900s) by the Collector’s Publishing Co, London E. C.

The Clubhouse Raynes Park Golf Club. Authors Collection.

Location of the Raynes Park course. Grid reference TQ23065,68410, co-ordinates 523065,168410.