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North Wilts Golf Club, Chiseldon. (1907 - 1929)

The club was founded in 1907.

The club at Chiselden is not to be confused with the current North Wilts Golf Club near Devizes.

The North Wilts Golf Club continued to play on the Chiselden course until the mid 1920s when it became Swindon Golf Club. Swindon only played at Chiselden for a short time, it moved to Ogbourne Downs in 1929. 

The North Wilts Golf Club at Chiseldon was a 9-hole picturesque course situated on the Wiltshire Downs. A hilly course with natural hazards of streams hills and hedges and a total length of 4467 yards with the two longest holes being about 440 yards in length. The higher part of the course was called the Haddens, five greens were situated on an area known as Hodson Bottom and four greens were on the Haddens. In the early years there was a railway station (the M&SW) just ½ mile away. At this time there was little road transport and many golfers would travel by train then take a pleasant walk, or pony and trap along the country lanes to the well made timber clubhouse. The clubhouse was situated on high ground, where it still stands today. There were beautiful views of the course with its well manicured greens and fairways. The clubhouse had living quarters as well as a large lounge, dressing rooms for ladies and gents and a professionals shop.

Exhibition match played on the Chiselden course in September 1908.

North Wilts Herald Friday 6 November 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The North Wilts Golf Links at Chiseldon.

Result of a match played on the Chiselden course in June 1909.

North Wilts Herald Friday 18 June 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match played at Chiselden against Cirencester Golf Club on Saturday 13 November 1909.

In 1910 the professional at Chiseldon was William Ollerenshaw. 

Result of a match played at Baunton in April 1912.

In 1913 the secretary was Cuthbert Stote, The Downs, Westlecott Road, Swindon. The club had a membership of 180 at this time. Entry fees for gents were £2/2/0 and ladies £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month. Ladies 1/6, 3/6 and 7/6 respectively. Sunday play was allowed after 1pm without caddies.

January 1913 medal results; Saturday - C Stote, 3 up; A F Dean, 3 down; J R Mundy, 4 down; T Saddler, A W Moore and W G Willis, 5 down; F Bishop, 6 down; Wednesday - T Saddler, all square; F Adams, 3 down; J Russell and H Fleming, 4 down.

The North Wilts Golf Links "Bungalow" at Chiseldon.

The seventh annual meeting of the club was held on Thursday 4 March 1915. As with many clubs the war was having a devastating effect on both membership and finances. In the absence of the captain, Mr D C A Morrison, who was serving with is Regiment in India, Mr T Saddler presided. Also present were; Mrs H W Reynolds, H W Reynolds, H Pease, J Crewe Wood, W Knox, H C King, T Dean, O Ellis, A E Dean, O Baker, F E Cottell, W J Hogarth, A W Deacon, G Lewis, C E M Harvey, R Reynolds, W S Jones, C T Watson, W G Willis, J A Willis and Cuthbert Stote. Apologies for absence were received from Brigadier-General T C P Calley, C.B and Major F P Goddard. Mr Reynolds said that the members would be gratified to know that General Calley had been promoted to General in the British Army. The following officers were elected; President, General Calley; vice-president, Major Goddard; secretary, Cuthbert Stote; treasurer, C L Peploe; captain, W Knox. Mr Knox was one of the founder members of the club and also one of their finest players, though the year in which he would hold office would not be a happy one for the golfing world. Committee – H Pease, C T Watson, A E Dean and H C King. 

In 1924 the secretary was still Cuthbert Stote and the professional A Edwards. 9-holes with a membership of 185. Course records were, amateur A E Dean 71 and professional A Edwards 68. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, 3/- at weekend and Bank Holiday, 12/6 a week and 30/- a month. The nearest station at this time was Chiselden (Midland & SW junction) which was an 8 minute walk.

Report on the final meeting of the North Wilts Golf Club at Chiselden in February 1925.

From the North Wilts Herald Friday 27 February 1925.

Therefore by 1925 the North Wilts Golf Club had ceased playing at Chielden and the Swindon Golf Club had taken over.

Results for Swindon Golf Club from 1926.

North Wilts Herald Friday 8 October 1926.

Result of a match played at Chiselden by the Swindon Golf Club in April 1925 against North Wilts Golf Club, Devizes. 

North Wilts Herald Friday 24 April 1925.

Entry from the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Swindon Golf Club; Hon. Secretary - Cuthbert Stote, The Downs, Westlecott Road, Swindon; Professional, A W Edmonds; Course records - Amateur; A E Dean, 71; Professional; A W Edmonds, 64; G.W.R. Station at Chiselden, eight minutes; Visitors' fees, 2s/6d a day, 3 shillings at week-end and  Bank Holidays, 12s/6d a week. Sunday play without caddies.

Swindon Golf Club say goodbye to Chiselden and move to Ogbourne Downs in 1929.

Wiltshire Times and Trowbridge Advertiser Saturday 6 April 1929.

Among the members mentioned on this site is the name of Calley, local landowners for many years and featuring MPs and military leaders in their ranks - two local pubs are still named for the family - and Goddard, Lords of the Manor of Swindon for centuries. Clearly a well connected club.

North Wilts Golf Club, Chiselden, had disappeared by 1930. Postcard by Hooper of Swindon.

The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the clubhouse and course of the North Wilts Golf Club at Chiselden.

O.S. Map Revised 1922 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1925}.