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Lizard Golf Club, Cornwall. (1901 - WW1)

Founded 1901.

Royal Cornwall Gazette Thursday 21 February 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the Cornish Telegraph Wednesday 10 April 1901; “OPENING OF THE LIZARD GOLF LINKS – The Lizard Golf Links have been formally opened. This course, the most southerly in Great Britain, is perhaps the most beautiful. Starting from a field, on the left of which is Mr Hart’s studio and on the right the famous old Bank of Polcabbin, the course runs across a long field called the Hornetts, in which is the first hole, then across an arm of the Tarnus Valley to Hornetts’ Croft, in which is the second hole. Here a good view of the Lizard Point is to be had. Then on to Hellarcher Croft in which is the third hole, across another arm of the Tarnus Valley into Croftwidden field, where is the fourth hole. There the prospect is very fine. In front is the sea, on the right are Holstrom and Kynance Cove while to the left is the Black Lizard Head. The course goes on to Kairnnalair Point, passing the Rangoon Gardens on the right, through the Kairnnalair Fields, to the fifth hole, which is close to the Kairn, with Caerthillian Cove just below. Here an acute angle is formed, the sixth hole being on Kairnnalair bank, where views are obtained of the Tarnus Valley. Then across the Tarnus Valley to Hellarcher field, where is the seventh hole, across Rotten Row through Mayne’s field to the Hornetts for the eighth hole, and on to Richard’s Field for the ninth and last hole, which is close to Mr Hart’s studio. Mr Stuart Anderson of Falmouth, took over a few of the members of the Falmouth club, and took part in the opening of the links. Friendly matches were played, but the weather was anything but favourable, a dull rough morning being succeeded by a wet afternoon. The president of the Lizard club is Viscount Clifden; the vice-president, Mr John Roberts of Maenhure, the Lizard; treasurer and hon. secretary, Rev. C S Vyvyan; Those of the committee who accompanied the visitors over the course were- Miss Richardson, Rev. C S Vyvyan (Ruan Manor), Mr Marsh (Cadgwith), Mr C M Hart, Mr S E Hart and Dr. Harry Appleton. The course of nine-holes as laid out is a most sporting one. The tee for the first hole is within a hundred yards of Hill’s Hotel, and the first hole is about 400 yards from the tee. The hazards consist of whins, turns, hedges, rocks, etc. The course is narrow, and each hole is surrounded by these numerous hazards. Scratch score; 5,4,4,4,4,3,4,4,5 = 37. The general opinion is that the course is a most excellent one.”

In 1901 a concert was given by the Grade and Ruan-Minor band in an attempt to raise funds for the club. Thanks were passed on to the band by the secretary Reverend C S Vyvyan, this was seconded by Mr Claude Montague Hart.

Royal Cornwall Gazette Thursday 4 July 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the course in April 1903.

Western Morning News Wednesday 1 April 1903. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Fund raising event in August 1903.

West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser Thursday 27 August 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The professional in 1903/4 was T Braund.  

In 1906 the secretary was the Reverend C S Vyvyan, The Lizard, RSO, Cornwall and the professional J A Riddell (1904 to 1909). Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 5/- a week and 15/- a month. The nearest railway station was at Helston 10 ½ miles away. Local hotels were The Lizard and Hill’s.

On Saturday 7 April 1906 a match was played against eight Oxford students, who were visiting the Lizard. A number of visitors watched the match.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1906; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1908}.

In 1914 the secretary was still the Reverend C S Vyvyan. A 9-hole sporting short course with plenty of natural hazards and close to the sea. The first tee was a ¼ mile from the village. There were just 5 members. There was no entry fee and subs were £1/1/0.

Course location, The Lizard Golf Club disappeared after WW1.