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Porlock Golf Club, Somerset. (1910 - WW1)

Founded in 1910.

Following is an extract from a report on the opening of the club and course from the West Somerset Free Press Saturday 27 August 1910; “INAUGURATION OF NEW GOLF LINKS AT PORLOCK – Opened by Countess of Lovelace – The new golf links provided by an enterprising local company – the Porlock Golf Company Limited – were formally opened on Friday afternoon by the Countess of Lovelace, president of the club. Beautiful weather favoured the proceedings, and the presence of a large number of local residents and visitors evidenced that considerable interest was taken in the event. The links are situated on the land bordering Porlock Bay, and it is safe to say that no more beautiful, breezy, and health inspiring course could be found anywhere, and its general position and contour lends itself entirely to the purposes of this popular recreation. The provision of a good sporting course, such as that which has just been formed, must without doubt be of benefit to Porlock generally, as it will be an additional attraction to visitors.

The new golf course as at present nine-holes only, sufficient ground could not be found for a full course of 18-holes, but golf clubs must be content to first walk until they are strong enough to run, and at the beginning of the venture a really good nine-hole course is a wiser provision than an indifferent 18-hole one. In time the extension may possibly come, but at present the course now laid out will be found sufficient. The whole distance is 2,710 yards, and the laying out reflects credit on Mr J Cooksey and Mr W Benge (the professional) under whose superintendence it has been done. Such is the nature of the ground that of natural hazards there are plenty, and these have been skilfully made use of, the result being a very sporting course that will appeal even to the best golf players. The natural bunkers consist of hedges, ditches, ponds, and mounds, and here and there artificial help has been resorted to. The greens are all excellently laid out, and though the turf has not yet the consistency of a well-kept lawn, with careful attention it will doubtless become all that can be desired, and very judicious choice has been made of the sites. The distance between the holes varies from 190 yards to the shortest – between the eighth and ninth holes – to 510 yards, the longest – the fifth to sixth. Near the first tee is a convenient house of shelter, where the player can leave his golfing tackle under the care of the professional, for whom also there is a room for the necessary workshop. Later it is hoped to establish a more convenient clubhouse, but that has to be left for the future.

The one drawback at present to the site of the links is the approach. This is down Sparkhayes Lane, leading out from the main street close by the Wesleyan Chapel. It is rather rough travelling and impossible to motors, and lower down it narrows and becomes more or less watery, especially in wet weather, but here there is a high and dry path through the fields to the course, so that the lane can be avoided. The lane, it is hoped, may in time be improved sufficiently to take motor vehicles. Whether winter golfing will be a favourite pastime at Porlock remains to be seen. From the town the ordinary walker may reach the links in 15 minutes , but he should allow 20 for the return.

In the main street of Porlock, opposite the Castle Hotel, a very convenient clubhouse has been established. Here the members can meet and visitors may join them, and in the neat rooms the social tea may be enjoyed. The rooms are comfortably furnished and on the walls are posted the rules and regulations along with a plan of the course. The hon. secretary of the club is the Rev. W H Boyne Bunting from whom all information may be obtained.

A goodly company assembled on the links on Friday afternoon at four o’clock, when the Countess Lovelace attended to formally open the links. In opening the proceedings the Rev. W H Boyne Bunting said he had been asked by the committee to make a few introductory remarks before asking the Countess to open the course. He was pleased to be able to do so because he had taken the greatest interest in getting up the club since its inception. He thought that a golf club would be a good thing for the parish and for everybody in one way or another. A public meeting of those interested was called, and a committee was formed, and then they applied to Mr Blaythwayt for permission to use the marshes, and, with his consent and that of Mr Rawle, the tenant, who had been very helpful to them, they had been able to lay out a course. They had now been able to prepare the ground and cut the grass make bridges etc. and when they looked round the links now he thought they would agree that they owed a great deal to John Cooksley for the way in which he had done the work, and also to the professional, Mr Benge, for laying out the course and seeing to it being ready for this day. It was the most charming place, he thought he might say without exaggeration, in England – on one side the Severn Sea and on the other beautiful hills clothed in heather. In conclusion he asked Lady Lovelace to be so good as to declare the links open.

The Countess of Lovelace said she thought it very kind of Mr Bunting and the committee to ask her to open the links, because she was an entirely unfit person, never having played golf in her life. The sooner they started to play the better, and therefore she had great pleasure in declaring the links open, and she would ask Miss Crawford, her cousin, to strike off the first ball. Two foursome parties started the first round of the course, the first being W R Barrett and Alec Gould, Dr.Potter and W Benge (professional); and the second (a mixed foursome) Miss Clarke, Sir Francis Carruthers Gould, Miss Stokes and Norman Gould. Tea was supplied on the ground by Mrs S Stenner, of Porlock.”

In 1913 the secretary was the Reverend W H Boyne Bunting, Porlock Rectory. The professional was R J Benge. A 9-hole course that ran alongside the beach towards Porlock Hill, and had superb views. Length of holes varied from 100yds to 500yds the total length was 2,540yds. A temporary clubhouse was available in the village. There was a membership of 40. Entry fees were £1/1/0. Subs for gents were £2/2/0 and  ladies £1/1/0. Visitors paid 2/- a day, 7/6 a week and £1 a month. The station at  Minehead was 6 miles away.

Porlock Golf Club closed in 1914.