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Shirrell Heath Golf Club, Shedfield Common, Wickham. (1892 - 1920s)

Founded in 1892 when the professional to 1906 was G Young.

Result of a Ladies' match played in July 1894.

Field Saturday 7 July 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match played at Shawford in January 1898.

From the Hampshire Chronicle April 1899 – “Shirrell Heath Golf Club – The annual Easter meeting took place in excellent weather on the 13th, 14th and 15th inst. The improvements in the links generally were universally commented upon, and great credit is due to the grounds-man, G Young. Results from the first day - W S Medlicott (10) won Mr Davidson’s prize; ladies’ competition was a tie between, Miss E Fellowes and Miss Sharping;  second day - Miss G Medlicott and Major Nicholls won the mixed foursome; third day – Harold Alexander (15) won the monthly medal; Rev. A L Porter (12) and A Franklyn (18) tied for Mrs Alexander’s prize. The following Monday five left handed members secured a victory over five right handed players by five holes. On Thursday 20th a match was played against Shawford Golf Club, result below.”   

In 1902 the secretary was Major H Nicholls, Culverlands, Shedfield. A 9-hole course the amateur record holder was Major H Dumbleston with a score of 83. The station at this time was at Botley about 3 miles away.

Also in 1902 was Shirrell Heath Ladies Golf Club. 9-Holes. Local hotel was the Dolphin. 

Result of a match played on the Shirrell Heath course in January 1903.

Result of a ladies match against Royal Winchester in April 1906.

Hampshire Chronicle Saturday 7 April 1906. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1914 the secretary was C D Moggeridge, Culverlands, Botley. The professional and green-keeper was John Young. The 9-hole course was situated on Shirrell Heath Common with excellent greens. There were hazards of banks, gorse, roads and water. Club membership was 70 gents and 60 ladies. Entry fees were £1/1/0. Subs for gents were £1/1/0 and ladies 10/6. Visitors paid 1/- a day and 5/- a week. Sunday play was not allowed. The railway stations were now at Wickham (Meon Valley Line) 1 ½ miles and Botley (L&SWR) 2 ½ miles. 

The Shirrell Heath clubhouse. 

Pre-WW1 postcard of Shedfield from the Shirrell Heath Golf Course. Authors Collection.

Above is a very fine Shirrell Heath Golf Club button hallmarked silver (24mm) Birmingham 1901 by Vaughtons. Courtesy of Dixon Pickup.

In 1922 the secretary was Major General C Ross, Oaklands, Botley. The professional was A Reeves and the greenkeeper S Young. Membership was now 134. Visitors’ fees on introduction were1/6 a round and 10/- a week. Sunday play was allowed after 1pm. Southampton to Fareham buses passed the course daily.

Result of a Ladies' match played at Shirrell Heath in May 1923.

Shirrell Heath Golf Club finally disappeared in the mid 1920s when the secretary was J F B Wilkinson. The professional was A Reeves and the greenkeeper S Young. 9-holes the membership had dropped to 54. Visitors’ fees on introduction were, 2/- per round and10/- a week.

The Shedfield Common Golf Course and pavilion (bottom right).

Location of  the course on Shedfield Common (bottom left). O.S. Maps Revised 1907; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1910}.

Thanks to Pamela Hatcher-Thorne for the following -

Thanks to Pamela Hatcher-Thorne for the following “In the village of Shedfield in Hampshire where I lived as a child there was a course that stretched across three roads cutting through common land that was never enclosed. Following the war the clubhouse was still there, a wooden building that was used as a private residence by this time. There is still evidence of the old course in the form of a bunker lying on a piece of the common that has never been altered or developed”