Cuckfield Golf Club. Haywards Heath, Sussex. (1906 -1918)

The club was founded in 1907, the professional was Ben Sayers junior (1906/7).

Report on the proposed club in July 1906.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the proposed golf club in July 1906.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 31 July 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The club is formed in October 1906.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the formation of the club in October 1906.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 16 October 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

In July 1907 the Cuckfield Golf Club, of which Lord Denman was captain, held a professional competition of 36 holes over the course. The total prize money amounted to £30; first, £10; second, £6; third, £4. Nine prizes were distributed. There were 23 entrants, leading scores; A Mitchell (East Sussex), 140; Ben Sayers sen. (North Berwick), 143; B Sayers jnr. (Cuckfield), 144; Rowland Jones (Wimbledon Park), 147; C Ralph Smith (West Middlesex) and A J Howlett (Puttenham), 150; J Rowe (Royal Ashdown) and W Reid (Banstead Downs), 151; A Thomson (Hampstead), 153.

The autumn meeting was played on 12 October 1907 (report below). The President's Cup (presented by Captain Sergison J.P) and the captain's challenge cup, presented by Lord Denman, Mr W Radcliffe won both cups.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the autumn meeting in October 1906.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 15 October 1907. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Report on the annual meeting in March 1908.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the annual meeting held in March 1908.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the annual meeting held in March 1908.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 10 March 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The June 1908 monthly medal ended in a tie between Major Crawford and the Rev. Lewis Evans , net 81.

Below is the result of a match played on Saturday 12 October 1908 at Cuckfield against Horsham Golf club.

Cuckfield Golf Club   Horsham Golf Club  
Major Payne Crawfurd 1 M Blunt 0
R B Phillips 1 C Dolphin 0
W H Dudney 0 H Blunt 1
Lord Denman 1 E Innes 0
B A Long 1 F Juckes 0
Rev R H Mertens 0 Captain Calvert 1
L E Dolman 1 W Campion 0
R M Thrupp 1 F Gibb 0
Major Payne Crawfurd & R B Phillips 1 M Blunt & F Juckes 0
W H Dudney & Lord Denman 1 C Dolphin & H Blunt 0
L E Dolman & S Leslie (half) 0 Captain Calvert & E Innes (half) 0
Rev Lewis Evans & R M Thrupp 1 W Campion & F Gibb 0
  9   2

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Picture showing the Downs from the golf course.

Image courtesy of Frank Accleton.

 

In October 1908 the winner of the President's Challenge Cup was R B Phillips, 83 net; runner-up was Major Crawfurd.

The ladies monthly medal for April 1909 was won by Mrs Farquharson, Miss Leslie was runner-up.

In 1909/10 the secretary was the Rev Lewis Evans, and the professional Percy Beal. Amateur course record; Major Payne Crawfurd, 74. Professional course record; Percy Beal, 70. Bogey score was 77. Club membership of 250. There was no entry fee and subs were £3/3s. Visitors' fees were 2s/6d a day.  

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Picture showing the earlier clubhouse.

The original clubhouse.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Picture showing the clubhouse in December 2020.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Picture showing the clubhouse in December 2020.

The former clubhouse in December 2020. Images courtesy of Kevin Patrick Morris.

 

Results from the Spring Meeting played in May 1910.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the spring meeting in May 1910.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the spring meeting in May 1910.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 31 May 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Result of a foursomes match played at Cuckfield against Pyecombe Golf Club in October 1910.

Cuckfield Golf Club   Pyecombe Golf Club  
Major Crawfurd and R B Phillips 1 Captain Green and E Monk 0
R M Thrupp and S Leslie 1 B A Holt and W Somers 0
W H Dudney and Colonel Coles 0 W A Clerehugh and Rev. E R D Litle 1
K M Oattley and Re. L Evans 0 Rev. W Breton and L Gahan 1
  2   2

The November 1910 monthly medal was won by the Rev E R D Little.

Result of the May 1911 monthly medal; W H Dudney, 83-5-78; S Leslie, 87-4-83; R B Phillips, 85-1-84; Colonel C H Coles, 95-9-86; Rev. L Evans, 101-14-87; K M Oattley, 95-7-88.

Result of the July 1911  Ladies' medal; Miss E Dudney, 92-14-78; Miss Hardman, 111-20-91; Miss Hebert, 119-24-95; Miss T Vereker, 124-24-100. 

The winner of the Coronation Cup in September 1911 was Major Payne Crawfurd; runner-up, A F Garrett.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Ordnance Survey Map from 1912 showing the course and clubhouse.

Ordnance Survey Map showing the clubhouse and course. Revised 1909 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1912}.

 

Report on the annual meeting held in February 1912.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the annual meeting held in February 1912.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 27 February 1912. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Result of the Captain's prize 36-hole bogey played in November 1912; L V Donne, 1 up; L L Roberts and Rev. E R D Litle, all square; W H Reeves, 1 down; W H Dudney, 2 down; J M Cattley, 3 down; A A Ogle and H H Baker, 4 down; D W Clarke, 5 down; B A Long and Colonel C H Coles, 8 down.

Up to 130 people attended the annual Golf Club Ball which was held on Friday 22 November 1912 at the Queen's Hall. The dance music was played by Batty's Red Band, and the merry gathering did not break up until about three o'clock on Saturday morning.

In 1913 the secretary was W H Dudney and the professional was P Beal (1907 to 1917). An 18-hole course on the Haywards Heath to Cuckfield Road. It had a good clubhouse with fine views of the South Downs and Weald of Sussex. The club had a membership of 230. There was no entry fee. The subs for gents were £3/3/0, ladies £2/2/0. Visitors had to be members of a recognised club, fees were 2/6 a day, 7/- a week and £1/1/0 a month. Officers on active service paid 21/- a year. Sunday play was allowed without caddies. The station at Haywards Heath was 1 ½ miles away.

Result of a ladies' match against Gatwick Golf Club (now defunct) in April 1913.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Result of a ladies' match against Gatwick GC (now defunct) in April 1913.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 15 April 1913. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

At the ladies autumn meeting in October 1913 Miss Glenn won the Sturdy Challenge Cup and Miss Bennett the Bridgman Challenge Cup.  

The annual general meeting was held in February 1914. In the statement the committee reported that the number of players through the past year had been very satisfactory and the green fees had shown an increase. The profit on the sheep (interesting sideline) was £76/12s/8d , although lower than the previous year it was considered satisfactory. Early in December the committee received with great regret the resignation of the secretary  W H Dudney, owing to illness. Mr D W Clarke agreed to undertake the duties. Col C H Coles was elected captain.

At the autumn meeting in October 1914 the Sergison Cup was won by Mr B A Long; Mr D W Clarke won the Denman and Blackall Cups. Owing to the war there was not a large entry.

EGM held in December 1916.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the EGM held in December 1916.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 19 December 1916. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The winding up of the club in January 1918.

 

Cuckfield Golf Club, Haywards Heath. Report on the winding up of the club January 1918.

Mid Sussex Times Tuesday 15 January 1918. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

It was reported in February 1918 that the company of T Bannister & Co, acting upon instructions from the Cuckfield Golf Club, conducted the following sale of effects at the clubhouse of; live and dead stock, implements, tools, golf appliances, buildings, challenge cups etc. The company was a large one and bidding was keen and everything was sold. The total proceeds amounted to £299/9s. The challenge cups sold as follows; The Sergison Challenge Cup (Rose Bowl), £3; Coronation Challenge Cup, £3; Pakenham Memorial Challenge Cup, £6; Blackall Challenge Cup (Rose Bowl), £3/10s; Denman Cup, £6/10s; Sturdy Cup, £3.  

The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the former Cuckfield course.