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Newport Golf Club, Isle of Wight. (1896 - 1980s)
The club was registered with the R&A in 1896 but golf was being played in the area much earlier.
The original course was situated on farmland opposite the level crossing at Shide, near the Barley Mow public house.
One of the most prominent founder members was Professor John Milne, F.R.S., famous for his work in seismology. He died in July 1913.
Professionals at the club up to 1929; G Wilkins, 1896/7; A E Mursell, 1911 - 1914; A M Theobald, 1914 - 1916; B Hodson, 1927 - 1929.
Harry Vardon pictured at Newport. Back L to R - G F S Stratton, Dr. Treadwell, E W Avenell, J H Burgess; Front – J Eldridge, Harry Vardon, John Milne.
Club members gathered for a picture outside the original clubhouse at Shide. John Milne, fourth from left. Thanks to Newport Golf Club for allowing us to use the above images.
Below is report on the general meeting held in April 1896.
From the Isle of Wight County Press and South of England Reporter Saturday 18th April 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The club captain in 1896 was Charles B Windeler.
The winner of the July 1896 monthly medal was James Eldridge, 112-25-87. The best round was played by A L Watson with a gross score of 107.
Below a "new course" in December 1896.
From the Isle of Wight County Press and South of England Reporter Saturday 5th December 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
On Tuesday 23rd March 1897 Mr C B Windeler, captain of the club, presided at the first annual meeting. The report showed that the club had a membership of 75 and had a balance in hand of £8/15s/6d. The course had been extended during the year and monthly medal and bogey competitions had been introduced. The Mayor was re-elected president, Mr Windeler captain and Mr A W Drew, secretary. The prize presented by the captain was won by himself, Mr H E Stratton was second and Mr C W Dunlop third.
Result of the June 1897 monthly medal; A W Drew, 108-18-90; J Mearman, 131-40-91; C Blomfield, 108-16-91; C B Windeler, 109-14-96; J L Graham, 129-30-99.
Result of the December 1898 monthly medal; R J Eldridge, 107-25-82; C W Battiscombe, 101-16-85; J Eldridge, 98-12-86; A W Drew, 104-18-86; Capt. C W B Farrant, 95-8-87; J L Graham, 113-25-88; T R Tilling, 129-40-89; R W Nicholls, 99-5-94; C W Dunlop, 100-5-95.
Result of the September 1899 monthly medal; T R Tilling, 11940-79; C W Dilke, 96-10-86; J Milne, 127-40-87.
Newport Golf Club Button.
Competition results from March 1900; President's (F T Mew) Cup - C W Dunlop; Captain's (C B Windeler) Prize - C W Dunlop, 100+91=191; W J Langton, 93+98=191; A W Drew, 105+89=194; J Eldridge, 103+93=196; H Wyeth, 106+97=203; T R Tilling, 100+105=205.
Below the annual meeting held in March 1901.
From the Isle of Wight County Press and South of England Reporter Saturday 23rd March 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The annual meeting of the Newport Golf Club was held on Thursday 21st March 1902. A satisfactory report was given showing that the debt of £5 had been wiped out and that the membership was stable. The Mayor was re-appointed president, Mr J Eldridge, captain, and Mr A W Drew, hon. secretary.
Below reports from May 1903.
From the Isle of Wight County Press and South of England Reporter Saturday 30th May 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
A report in the Portsmouth Evening News in November 1904 stated that “The Newport Golf Club has been successfully resuscitated, several players from the Royal Naval College taking part in the bogey competition for the prize offered by the President, Professor Milne. Dr Treadwell and Mr W L Bunting (Naval College) divided the prize and sweep.”
There was no entry for the club in the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook.
Below is the result of a match played at Osborne against the Royal Naval College in May 1905.
| Royal Naval College | Newport Golf Club | ||
| S F Edmonds | 0 | C W Dunlop | 1 |
| F M Ranson | 1 | O F N Treadwell | 0 |
| W L Bunting | 0 | J Eldridge | 1 |
| Rev. R P Davidson | 1 | A W Drew | 0 |
| P T Harrison | 0 | Capt. Keller | 1 |
| A P McMullen | 0 | E M Savill | 1 |
| M B Tasker | 0 | H Wyeth | 1 |
| Staff-Surgeon R Hill R.N. 1 | 1 | T Foreshew | 0 |
| 3 | 5 |
The White Challenge Cup played in March 1907; C W Dunlop (3) 89+80=169; G C Freeman (6) 88+81=169; R L McMaster (24) 101+91=192; J Eldridge (8) 97+96=193; A G Carter (24) 107+89=196.
The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the location of original golf course.
Ordnance Survey Map Revised 1906 to 1907. © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1909}
Result of a bogey competition played in November 1909; R Eldridge (12) 3down; R C Brown (16) 4down; J H Burgess (14) 6down; T R Tilling (16) and F F King (20) 10down; J Eldridge (11) and Major Edwards (18) 11down; E W Arnell (10) 13down; J Milne (16) 18down.
Below the annual meeting held in January 1911.
From the Isle of Wight County Express and South of England Reporter Saturday 4th February 1911. Image © Isle of Wight County Press. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Result of the President's Prize played in October 1911, played in a gale; R J Eldridge, 92-8-84; T H Tilling, 102-14-88; E W Avenell, 98-8-90; J Eldridge, 103-12-91; J L Graham, 114-18-96; J H Burgess, 109-12-97; C J Thompson, 109-10-99. No returns from; G F S Stratton, A G Bird, Rev.W W Fennell, W H Sumpster.
At an extraordinary meeting in March 1912 it was decided that Sunday play should be allowed. The proposal to erect a clubhouse on the course was also approved by a considerable majority.
In December 1912 the ladies’ monthly medal was won by Mrs Tabuteau, 111-30-81. A nine-hole competition for a clock was won by Mr C J Thompson.
Professor John Milne British geologist and mining engineer, one of the founders and former captain and vice-president of the club, died on July 31st 1913.
A men’s eighteen-hole foursome competition played in March 1913 was won by E W Avenell and S V H Underhill, 89-13-76. The winners received a prize of silver ash trays.
In the December 1913 monthly medal six competitors tied with a score of 85 net; Mr E W Avenell, 91-6-85; G F S Stratton, 91-6-85; J Eldridge, 98-13-85; J H Williams, 105-20-85; M C Corder, 109-24-85; F Huxham, 109-24-85; Rev W H Mackinnon scored 92-6-86.
In February 1914 the ladies' sweepstake was won by Mrs Battle, 77 net. The monthly medal was won by Mr J H Williams, 96-20-76.
Below result of the "John Milne Memorial Cup" played in April 1914. The winner was T Eldridge.
From the Portsmouth Evening News Saturday 11th April 1914. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD
The May 1923 monthly medal was won by P M Hammerton, 76-10-66. A mixed foursome was won by Mrs Godwin and R Tobutt.
Result of a match played at Needles Golf Club on Saturday 4th May 1929.
| Needles Golf Club | Newport Golf Club | ||
| Col. F A Kemble (2&1) | 1 | H Pace | 0 |
| W E Kemble | 0 | Captain Brannon (3&2) | 1 |
| General Leveson-Gower (2up) | 1 | S T Clarke | 0 |
| R Harris | 0 | E Frost (4&3) | 1 |
| J T Rowley | 0 | Dr Wallace (6&4) | 1 |
| Col. R A Craig | 0 | H Tanner (2&1) | 1 |
| J Dover | 0 | J Dutton (7&6) | 1 |
| Col. Lloyd-Price (6&4) | 1 | W Buckell | 0 |
| 3 | 5 |
Below is the result of a match played at Sandown against The Shanklin and Sandown Artisans Golf Club in July 1931.
| Sanklin and Sandown Artisans | Newport Golf Club | ||
| A W Gorden (halved) | 0 | A D Dockrill (halved) | 0 |
| J Taylor | 0 | Mr West | 1 |
| L Scovell | 1 | Mr Pace | 0 |
| J Ballard | 0 | Major Brannon | 1 |
| R Rudd | 1 | E F Frost | 0 |
| J Musson | 1 | W J Wallace | 0 |
| A W Daish | 1 | R Pollington | 0 |
| W Sheath | 1 | Mr Wavell | 0 |
| J Baker | 1 | Mr Bird | 0 |
| F Arford | 0 | D F Davies | 1 |
| G Pouncefort (halved) | 0 | E S Wellan (halved | 0 |
| W Frogley | 0 | Mr Wyatt | 1 |
| J Bell | 1 | Mr Challen | 0 |
| 7 | 4 |
Entry from the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Membership of 150; Hon. secretary - H J Davie, 29 Nodehill, Newport; professional, H W Lockyer; nine-hole course; Station at Shide 300 yards; Visitors - gents; 2s a round of 18-holes, 2s/6d a day, 12s a week, £1/4s a month; ladies - 8s a week, 16s a month. Sunday play allowed.
The small pavilion near the railway crossing gate has a large sign saying Newport Golf Club. It has been confirmed that this is the former clubhouse of the Newport club next door is the Barley Mow pub. Authors Collection.
Below the Coronation Golf Competition May 1937.
From the Portsmouth Evening News Friday 7th May 1937. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the Golfer's Handbook 1947; Membership of 90; Secretary - A C Early, 8 Drake Road, Newport; professional, G E Mann; Nine-hole course with a Par and SSS of 70; Visitors, 2s/6d a round, 3s a day. Sunday play allowed with caddies.
By 1951 membership had increased to 100. The secretary was D Meek, "St Moritz" 201 Carisbrooke Road, Newport. Professional and green-keeper was G E Mann.
In the mid 1950s and early 1960s the secretary was D A Marshall, Millstream Cottage, Blackwater Road; professional and green-keeper, M Hooper; nine-holes with a total length of 5,092 yards, par of 66 and SSS of 70; visitors, 3s/6d a round, 5s a day, 12s a week.
In the mid 1960s the secretary was R E Sims, 43 Clatterford Road, Carisbrooke. Green-keeper, J Ferguson (1964) and D West (1966.)
The club remained at the original location until it was forced to move in the mid 1980s because of gravel extraction. The clubs present location is on the top of St George’s Down but they have not ruled out a return to their former course in the future.
Location of the former course, the current course is to the south. Grid reference of the former course SZ50895,87820, co-ordinates 450895,087820.