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Pyecombe Ladies’ Golf Club. (1894 - 1900s)

The ladies’ nine-hole course was laid out following the opening of the main course in 1894.

The Ladies' committee is formed in October 1894.

 

Pyecombe Ladies' Golf Club, Sussex. The first ladies' committee is elected in October 1894.

"Golf" Friday 19 October 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The longest hole on the ladies course was 200 yards. There were hazards of grass bunkers, hedges, ruts, a pond and a group of trees there was also a meandering stream running through one of the holes. The course record was held by Miss Morris with a score of 85. This course was given up in October 1897.

A new nine-hole course with natural hazards was laid out. It proved to be a more difficult course than the old one, the course record in 1902 was 92. Unfortunately the location of this course, and how long they played on it, is, as yet, unknown.

The Pyecombe ladies wore a uniform of red coat with black collar, cuffs and buttons with a red shield on the breast pocket bearing the Sussex arms.

The ladies competed for two trophies; Lady Louise Loder presented a silver dish and Mrs W G Nicholson gave a silver toilet box. Both trophies are still competed for. Miss Blanche Martin was the first ladies’ secretary.

To celebrate the opening of the new clubhouse in January 1895 competitions for both men and women were played. The ladies' prizes were won by Mrs W G Nicholson and Miss B Martin.

A mixed foursome was played over the ladies' course in April 1896, result; Mrs Keen & Mr Carroll, 98-25-73; Miss Martin & Mr Leeds, 103-24-79; Miss Keen & Mr Holme110-30-80; Miss Shand & Mr Dill, 106-26-80; Miss Fennell & Mr Heath, 112-26-86; Miss Cumberlege & Mr Cumberlege, 99-9-90; Mrs Cumberlege & Mr Gardiner, 111-17-94; Miss Elliott & Mr Merci, 117-22-95.

Also in April 1896 the ladies played a home match against Seaford Ladies' Golf Club.

Pyecombe Ladies' Golf Club   Seaford Ladies' Golf Club  
Mrs Sanderson 0 Miss Farncombe 1
Miss Martin 1 Mrs Danby 0
Mrs Keen 6 Mrs Lambe 0
Miss Cumberlege 12 Mrs Shiffner 0
Miss Reid 0 Miss Danby 2
Mrs Fisher 6 Mrs Jack 0
Miss Keen 0 Mrs Morgan 5
Miss Morris 0 Mrs Hutt 5
  25   13

In the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook the Pyecombe Ladies' Golf Club was listed separately from the Pyecombe Golf Club. The secretary was L H B Shand; A nine-hole course; membership of 50; Entrance fee £1/11s/6d and subs 21/-; Visitors' fees on introduction by a member, 2/6 a day, 7/6 a week and £1 a month. "The course was recently improved and lengthened." 

 

Pyecombe Ladies' Golf Club, Sussex. The course on the 1896 O.S map.

The above map shows the Pyecombe Golf Course and Clubhouse in the mid 1890s. The Ladies’ course (unfortunately not marked) was across the road at this time. © Crown Copyright {1896}