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Lymington Golf Club, Hants. (1890 - WW2)

The club was founded in 1890.

A 9-hole attractive links course opposite the Isle of Wight with excellent turf. The station at  Lymington Town was 2 miles away. Local hotels were the Angel, Londesborough and the Mayflower.

There are also mentions of the Lymington Town Golf Club prior to WW1. It's possible that this club played on a course at Woodside, Pennington.

On Saturday 21 February 1891 a competition took place on the Pennington Marsh course when there was “a numerous attendance of the rank and fashion of the neighbourhood”. The competition for the best game of four players was won by Colonel Stirke and Major Domville. Colonel Rooke won the prize for the best drive, and Colonel Clifton for the best “lofting stroke” Mr P H Walker won the “best putting shot”. The prizes were presented by Mrs Cornwallis West. Mr P H Walker acted as referee and the umpires were Colonel Borton and Miss H Fullerton. Arrangements for the competition were made by Mr P H Walker.

In June 1892 the first monthly competition for the Fullerton Medal (presented to the club by Mr David Fullerton) was played in windy conditions. Result of the 18-hole competition; Mr C Ford, 136-27-109; Miss H Fullerton, 128-14-114; Mr D Fullerton, 115 scratch; Colonel Borton, 118 scratch; Mr Hammersley, 119 scratch; Miss A Fullerton, 137-18-119; Captain Cotton, 139-18-121; Mr H Dent, 158-36-122; Miss S Shrubb, 151-27-124; Major Blunt, 143-18-125; Colonel Stirke, 146-18-128. After the competition the golfers joined the already large party gathered at Pennington House. After tea and refreshments Mrs David Fullerton presented the medal to Mr Charles Ford. The hon. secretary of the club, Mr Hammersley, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr & Mrs Fullerton.

Due to the recent flooding of the course there was a small turnout for the monthly medal in January 1894, the winner was Mr R Daniell, 106-18-88. Improvements to the course were being contemplated and professional advice was to be taken.

The April 1894 medal was won by Mr Hamilton Dent, 110-30-80.

In May 1894 caddies at the club went on strike demanding a rise from 3d an afternoon to sixpence. 

Reports on the club and course from September 1894.

"Golf" Friday 14 September 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Matches played in May 1896.

Isle of Wight County Press Saturday 30 May 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1906 the secretary was H St Barbe, 72 High Street, Lymington and the greenkeeper F Cole. Visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month.

The golf course on the 1900s Ordnance Survey Map.

O.S. Map. Revised 1907; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1909}.

Mention of the Lymington Town Golf Club from the Western Gazette in January 1909; "Town Golf Club - Mr Jebb Scott presented a handsome cup to the Committee of the Lymington Town Golf Club, suggesting that the trophy should be competed for monthly. The membership of the club is progressing satisfactorily."

From the Western Gazette July 1909; "A Wedding Present - To mark the occasion of his marriage the members of the Chequers Inn Slate Club have presented Mr Cole, groundsman of the Lymington Golf Club, with a handsome marble  timepiece." 

From the Western Gazette December 1909; "Mr R Mundy, late professional of the Royal Winchester Golf Club, has been appointed to a similar position to the Lymington Golf Club. Mr Mundy is a first-class player, competing in the open championships, and an excellent coach."

Report on the annual meeting of the Leamington Town Golf Club in January 1910.

Hampshire Independent Saturday 15 January 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match played against Lymington Town Golf Club on the Woodside Course in 1910.

Hampshire Independent Saturday 9 April 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Ordnance Survey Map below is from the 1900s and shows Woodside, Pennington. Golf Course not marked.

O.S. Map Revised 1907; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1909}.

Report on the annual meeting of the Lymington Town Golf Club in January 1911.

Bournemouth Daily Echo Tuesday 24 January 1911. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From The Queen Saturday 22 April 1911; "On the Lymington Golf Course (twelve-holes) the fees for visitors are 1s/6d a day, 6s a week, 15s a month. 

In 1914 the secretary was J P Herringham. There was a membership of 70. The entry fee was £1/1/0. Subs for gents were £2/2/0 and ladies £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were 1/6 a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.

Auction at the clubhouse in June 1918.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 8 June 1918. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Old clubhouse under the hammer in 1919.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 31 May 1919. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The club appears to go into abeyance in the early 1920s.

The club next appeared in 1925 when the secretary was A A Muller, Woodside, Lymington and the professional H Daish.

An open bogey competition for a cup presented by Major Cyril Potter was played in August 1926. G Maughan, a visitor from London, won with a score of 3up; runner-up was J P Howard, 2up; third place Mr Ellis, 1up.

Result of the April 1927 medal; E C Thurgood, 81-6-75; H A Dickens, 92-14-78.

Results of competitions played in September 1928; Monthly medal; A Isted, 90-24-66; F E Cole, 84-14-70; W Taylor, 92-16-76; G Davis, 88-12-76; Potter Cup (bogey); G O Maughan ( 10), 2up; A S Jones (20), 1down; F Totterdell (12), 2down.

Report on the annual meeting in 1929.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 2 March 1929. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1930 the address was Lymington Golf Club, Oxey Farm, Woodside. The secretary was S H Mangham BA, Eileen Cottage Middle Rd, Lymington. The professional was W Warwick (1926 to 1933). Membership had now risen to 150. Course record held by E C Thurgood with a score of 68. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a round.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 21 March 1931. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The Potter Cup was played for during the Bank Holiday in August 1931. The winner was A A Rooke, 92-24-68.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 20 February 1932. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

There were over 30 competitors at the autumn meeting played on Sunday 18 September 1932, result as follows; W Iliffe (golfing coat), 85-16-79; G Hill (golf umbrella), 78-8-70; C Isted (golf club), 96-24-72. Foursomes winners were V Bailey and H S Leather (pair of cuff links each.) Mrs J C Ackerman, wife of the president, provided tea and presented the prizes. She was introduced and thanked by Mr C E Nipper, chairman of the club.

Result of the 1933 November monthly medal; W H Gowers, 91-22-69; E G Wilkins, 92-22-70; C S Barrow, 87-16-71; F E Cole, 76-4-72.

New Milton Advertiser Saturday 25 November 1933. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Results from competitions played over Christmas in 1933. 18 hole medal – G T Webb, 91-20-71; J Shorter, 91-18-72; J Shepherd, 97-24-73; C Isted, 93-20-73; C E Nipper, 91-18-73; F Pelfrey, 97-24-73; F C Heseltine, 82-8-74; F H Humphreys, 98-24-74; E Wilkins, 95-20-75; W T Iliffe, 88-12-76; Mrs Heseltine, 113-36-77; M G Cole, 92-14-78; G Moffatt, 100-22-78. 18 hole bogey – F E Cole (4) and J Shorter (18), all square; F F Mann (24), 1down; M Holloway (18), 2down; A J Lewton (17), F C Heseltine (8),F H Humphreys (24), C H S Blatch (18), 3down. 18 hole medal – A J Lewton, 85-17-68; Miss M Watson, 105-36-69; J Shorter, 92-18-74; Miss S Watson, 111-36-75; G V Davis, 90-14-76; F F Mann, 100-24-76; A Holloway, 97-18-79; G T Webb, 101-20-81.

New Milton Advertiser Saturday 3 March 1934. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the Kay Cup played in April 1934; W H Gowers (14), all square; C S Barrow (16), 1down; F E Cole (4), 2down; A J Lewton (16), 2down; F Mann (24), 2down; M G Cole (14), 3down; R G Spencer (16), 3 down; A H Holloway (18), 3down. There were 27 entries.

Result of the July 1934 medal; B Ellacott, 92-24-68; F Pelfrey, 93-24-69; W Higginson, 94-24-70; E Wilkins, 89-18-71; M Cole, 88-14-74.

New Milton Advertiser Saturday 8 December 1934. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 2 March 1935. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In May 1935 F E Cole holed in one at the 153 yard eighth, his playing partner was J J D Booth.

Report on the annual meeting in 1936.

Hampshire Advertiser Saturday 7 March 1936. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In June 1936 the Brownlow Cup was won by a lady; Mrs Bendall, 100-30-70; F E Cole, 74-3-71; M G Cole, 84-13-71; F Bendall, 97-24-73; R G Spencer, 91-16-75; G Green, 93-18-75; M Darney, 98-22-76; G W Cockrill, 90-13-77; C S Barrow, 88-10-78. 

Result of the August 1937 medal; F E Cole, 71-2-69; C S Barrow, 83-10-73; W Maclachlin, 90-17-73; E Wilkins, 91-18-73; F F Mann, 9314-79.

New Milton Advertiser Saturday 11 September 1937. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

New Milton Advertiser Saturday 30 October 1937. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported at the Hampshire Golf Association meeting in February 1939 that the Lymington Golf Club had resigned owing to the encroachment of the sea on to the course. Reconstruction was taking place and on completion of the work the club hoped to re-join.

New Milton Advertiser Saturday 15 July 1939. Image © Iliffe News & Media Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The club's final appearance in the Golfers Handbook was in 1940; Secretary was G T Webb, “Bramleigh” Milford Road, Lymington. Telephone number 170. The greenkeeper was G Moffat. The 9-hole course had a Standard Scratch Score of 70 and there was a membership of 250. Amateur record holder was E Cole with a score of 66. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, 7/6 a week and 15/- a month. There were special fees for Service members. Sunday play was allowed and the club was licensed.

Memories of Lymington Golf Club from David Williams -

“Lymington Golf Club and course used to exist just inside the sea wall. It closed in 1916, as the sea often  breached the wall in what is the Oxey Marshes area. Opened again in the mid 1920s with a membership of 200 it flourished until the beginning of WW2 and never re-emerged. The site now forms part of a Nature Reserve on the coast”