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Brockenhurst & District Golf Club, Balmerlawn Course. (1890s - WW1)
First appeared in the early 1890s and re-formed in 1908 (date to be confirmed).
Sometimes known as just Brockenhurst Golf Club. The spelling of the hotel was also confusing it was often spelled Balmer Lawn.
The early Bournemouth Golf Club started playing golf on the Balmer Lawn course in 1890 (see separate entry on this website for Bournemouth Golf Club).
It's probable that the Brockenhurst Golf Club shared this location in the 1890s and continued to play on the course up until WW1. The Balmer Lawn Hotel course continued to be advertised through the 1920s.
Extract from a report from the Dover Express Friday 2 October 1891 - "The increase in the value of eligible land round Brockenhurst village, and Brockenhurst golf links takes people's breath away who might have bought land."
Extract from a report that appeared in the Pall Mall Gazette Thursday 21 February 1895 - "One is glad to see that the Ealing Golf Club have engaged the services of Pearson lately professional to the Brockenhurst Club in the New Forest. The municipal course at Bournemouth has attracted away all the players from Brockenhurst, and the club is practically extinct."
In January 1896, in spite of the competition from the neighbouring Bournemouth Corporation Club, the Brockenhurst club continued to receive support. In the January monthly medal Mr Acklem (4) returned the best gross score of 88. The medal was won by E R Morris, 89-13-76 and the runner-up was H Kinsey, 94-17-77.
A rather unflattering description of the Brockenhurst golf course from the Morning Post in January 1899.
Morning Post Tuesday 24 January 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the Brockenhurst golf course in the 1900s.
O.S. Map Revised 1907 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1910}.
Results from the October meeting in 1909.
Hampshire Independent Saturday 16 October 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In 1914 the secretary at Brockenhurst & District Golf Club was Colonel R Lane, and the professional A Moody. A 15-hole course situated in the New Forest with hazards of roads, heather, bracken and bunkers. The greens and tees were in good condition and a comfortable clubhouse was available. There was a membership of 72. The entry fee was £1/1/0 and the subs £2/2/0. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, weekend 2/6 a day, 7/6 a week, £1 a month, £2 for three months. One round of 18 holes was 1/6. There were special terms for bank holidays. Sunday play was allowed with caddies. The railway station was ¾ mile away.
The current Brockenhurst Manor course opens in May 1919.
Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 31 May 1919.
The advert below for the Balmer Lawn Hotel in November 1923 still lists golf amongst the amenities. Also interesting to note that the flag on the pavilion bears the initials B.G.C.
The Tatler Friday 30 November 1923. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
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Location of the course at Balmerlawn.
Grid reference SU30615,03330, co-ordinates 430615,103330.
Brockenhurst & District Golf Club did not appear after WW1.