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Bolberry Golf Club, Kingsbridge, Devon. (1907 - WW1)
The club was founded in 1907.
A nine-hole course, it was situated on Bolberry Downs between Bolt Head and Bolt Tail. A testing golf course on beautiful down turf. There were hopes that the course would be extended to 18-holes, this never materialised. The Port Light Hotel which still stands today was the former clubhouse. During WW2 Bolberry Down along with what is now the Soar airfield became an important RAF site.
In June 1907 Mr Ernest S Stidston, owner of the Bolberry Estate, laid out the nine-hole course on the beautiful downs near the coast. The course was to be opened on Monday 1 July 1907.
The opening of the golf course on 1 July 1907. Image courtesy of Graham Rowley.
Picture of opening day. Image courtesy of Tony Adams.
Report on the opening of the course in July 1907.
Totnes Weekly Times Saturday 6 July 1907. Images © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the Exeter & Plymouth Gazette on Friday 17 September 1909. “At the Bolberry Links a new pavilion has been opened by the Bishop of Croydon. It has been built by Mr Stidston for the use of players on his links, and is splendidly situated. It is a nice looking place and will be a great convenience to the players. The Bishop spoke of the enterprising spirit of Mr Stidston in making such use of a beautiful spot. Dr Elliot of Kingsbridge also spoke in praise of the links and its splendid situation.”
In 1914 the secretary was Miss Stidston, Bolberry and the professional W Cole, who was with the club from 1911 until 1917. The club had a membership of 36. Subs were £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 4/6 a week. Sunday play was not allowed. The station at Kingsbridge was 4 ½ miles away.
The Golf Links were still being advertised in November 1917.
It was reported in the Western Morning News in July 1922 that “The Bolberry Golf House had been broken into.”
Course location, Bolberry Golf Club disappeared after WW1.
Grid reference SX68610, 38650, co-ordinates 268610, 038650.
An Early postcard of the clubhouse Bolberry Golf Club. W R Gray photographic postcard.