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Cannington Park Golf Club, Bridgwater. (1906 - 1932)
Cannington Golf Club opened on Easter Monday in 1906. It was situated on the south east slope of Cannington Park near the Quarry, and across the road from the present day Cannington Club. The 9 hole course was 2200yds in length and had a par of 38. The ground was rented from Alfred Berry of Park Farm who was a founder member of the club. There was no clubhouse in the early years. Golf Cottage, a Grade 2 listed building, was the home of the greenkeeper. A small extension was made to this building, used for dispensing refreshments, tea, sandwiches etc. Play was suspended for the duration of WW1 when the course was needed for the war effort. Play resumed in 1919, by the mid 1920s a new clubhouse was built at a cost of £350. Due to a combination of factors, including a decline in membership numbers and difficulty in attracting visitors, the club finally closed in 1932. The clubhouse was moved to the nearby club at Enmore, where it remained until its demolition in 1990. Enmore Golf Club celebrated its centenary year in 2006, the early years, to 1932 were based on the Cannington Park Club.
Below, result of a home club match played against Wells Golf Club on Saturday 8 June 1912.
| Cannington Park Gaolf Club | Wells Golf Club | ||
| Mr Sully | 0 | Mr Ham | 1 |
| Mr Berry | 0 | Mr Ellicott | 1 |
| Mr Oule | 1 | Mr Woodhams | 0 |
| Mr Bird | 1 | Mr Hincks | 0 |
| Mr Routh | 1 | Mr Williams | 0 |
| Mr Collins | 0 | Mr Gregory | 0 |
| Mr Bond | 0 | Mr Hodgson | 1 |
| Mr Templeman | 1 | Mr Gould | 0 |
| 4 | 3 |
In 1914 the secretary was Dr R Coates, 38 Monmouth Street, Bridgwater. The professional was A Marsh (1911 - 1917). The club had a membership of 90. Entry fee was 10/6 and Subs £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees 1/- a day, 3/6 a week and 7/6 a month.
During WW1 the land was taken over for the war effort. Golf returned in 1919. A clubhouse was built at a cost of £350 in the 1920s.
From the Western Daily Press Thursday 23 January 1919; "Cannington Park Golf Club (Bridgwater) have appointed the following officials; Joint hon. secs., Dr Routh and H Berry; hon. treasurer, Mr Bireham; president, H T Daniel. The ground is receiving thorough attention, and the full course will shortly be playable. The Pouverie, Daniel, and Rainforth cups will be competed for this year."
Competition results from October 1921.
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 12 October 1921. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In 1922 the secretary was Dr R H F Routh, Malvern House, Bridgwater. Telephone number 59. The professional was E Knight. Membership had slightly reduced to 80. Visitors’ fees were; 2/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month. Sunday play allowed without caddies. The station at Bridgwater was 4 miles away.
Report on the opening of the new clubhouse in October 1926.
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 6 October 1926. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Report on a professional match played on the Cannington Course in July 1927.
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 27 July 1927. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Below is the result of a match played on the Cannington course against Pickeridge Golf Club on Thursday 9 April 1931.
| Cannington Golf Club | Pickeridge Golf Club | ||
| H Bedale (4&3) | 1 | C R Davis | 0 |
| J D Ware (3&1) | 1 | W P Day-Dewdney | 0 |
| C W Green | 0 | H R W Meredith (1up) | 1 |
| S Rolfe (2&1) | 1 | F Ayrey | 0 |
| C Perrens (half) | 0 | R P Clarke (half) | 0 |
| E Boucher | 0 | P R Sully | 1 |
| W J Welland (6&4) | 1 | H S Johnston | 0 |
| R H F Routh (2&1) | 1 | F W Roberts | 0 |
| Bedale & Ware (half) | 0 | Davis & Day-Dewdney (half) | 0 |
| Green & Rolfe (4&2) | 1 | Meredith & Clarke | 0 |
| Boucher & Welland (2&1) | 1 | Ayrey & Johnston | 0 |
| Perrens & Routh (3&2) | 1 | Roberts & Sully | 0 |
| 8 | 2 |
The reserve teams played at Pickeridge on the same day.
| Pickeridge Golf Club | Cannington Golf Club | ||
| C Edwards (6&4) | 1 | J P Templeman | 0 |
| J E Donovan (half) | 0 | C C Harris (half) | 0 |
| G P Clarke (6&4) | 1 | H Milton | 0 |
| E J Lock (5&3) | 1 | V G Crawford | 0 |
| W H Lock (5&4) | 1 | I J Maggs | 0 |
| C H Drayton (half) | 0 | F Turner (half) | 0 |
| R W Taylor | 0 | C W Winslade (1up) | 1 |
| J Vinson (5&3) | 1 | B Duckworth | 0 |
| A J Percy | 0 | B W Van Trump (4&3) | 1 |
| Edwards & E J Lock | 0 | Crawford & Van Trump (1up) | 1 |
| Donovan & W H Lock | 0 | Harris & Maggs (5&4) | 1 |
| Clarke & Drayton | 0 | Milton & Turner (3&2) | 1 |
| Taylor & Vinson (2up) | 1 | Winslade & Duckworth | 0 |
| 6 | 5 |
In June 1931 Mr H J D Frith, holed in one when playing in the first round of the Daniel Cup Competition. He accomplished the feat at the 114 yard eighth hole which was played over a quarry.
Towards the end of its existence in the early 1930s the secretary was still Dr Routh now of Durleigh, Bridgwater, and the green-keeper E Knight. Visitors’ fees were; 2/- a day, 7/6 a week and 15/- a month. Local hotels were the Bristol Arms, Clarence, Albany and White Hart.
Report on the demise of Cannington Park Golf Club in February 1932.
Taunton Courier, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 24 February 1932. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Thanks to Tony Locke for the following “I lived next to Golf Cottage in my youth (1943 – 1963). The golf course was then permanent pasture, mostly for raising sheep. The first, second and ninth greens were used for our youthful cricket pitch, with the low mounds or bunkers some hindrance to an organised game!”
Ordnance Survey Map showing the golf course and clubhouse.
O.S. Map Revised 1928; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1931}.
A postcard of High Street Cannington with a signpost for the golf links.
A view of the ninth green looking east towards the quarry.
A view of the second green looking towards South Park.
Location of the former Cannington course, to the west.