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Kingswear and Dartmouth Golf Club, Devon. (1935 - WW2)
From the Western Morning News Thursday 28 June 1934 - "There is a magnificent new golf course being constructed which will be one of the finest in the county."
The course opened on Wednesday 17 July 1935 with much hope and optimism. There were about 70 people present.
Archibald Hine- Haycock of Kitter Court performed the opening ceremony and wished the club every success, he said he was "confident it would be a means of bringing a considerable number of people to the district."
Mr H Harcourt Brayshaw, the newly appointed secretary, also made a short speech saying "great difficulties had to be overcome in the construction of the course, due to the rough state of the land when it was taken over and the amount of capital available." He hoped "that critics would not be to severe when they took into consideration all of the obstacles the promoters had to contend with." Indicting that the course had probably been opened to hastily.
There were only 12-holes available for the exhibition match which took place on the opening day. The format was four ball better ball. It was won by Mr Thairwall and Frank Pocock with a score of 46; Mr Brayshaw and Eddie Pocock scored 48. Eddie Pocock apparently birdied the dog-leg fifth hole which measured 655 yards and was a bogey 6.
After the match Mr Brayshaw stated that "If the club became successful, a dining hall, bedrooms and perhaps miniature self contained flats would be added. Thus golfers could stay at the club and after their day's game was over, they could avail themselves of the excellent, boating and bathing which the River Dart offers."
Eddie Pocock, the professional at the club, had been assistant at Churston and also to Fred Robson at Cooden Beach. In 1930, at the age of 27, he played in the Open Championship at Hoylake. He returned scores of 88 and 78 for a total of 166, missing the cut which was set at 158.
Layout of the 18-hole course.
The eventual 18-hole course with magnificent views was 6,145 yards in length with a SSS of 74 and was laid out over difficult sloping terrain. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day and Sunday play was permitted. The station at Kingswear was ½ mile away. Local hotels were the Raleigh, Castle and the Queens.
The Kingswear and Dartmouth clubhouse.
Thanks to Chris Ryan, Kingswear Historians, for his help and the above images.
Unfortunately the club only continued until the outbreak of WW2 when the course was given over for the war effort for growing crops.
The club was recorded in the 1947 Golfer's Handbook (not unusual for defunct clubs) but the club and course had long gone.
Sad final note, Eddie Pocock, the former professional, drowned in the River Dart in 1949.
Location of the K &D course.
Grid reference SX88750, 52420, co-ordinates 288750, 052420.