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Deauville Golf Club, Calvados (14). (1899 - WW2)
In Normandy, Deauville had been made a very attractive city since the mid nineteenth century. In 1899 the prince de Poix, with the help of count Florian de Kergorlay and Mr Robert Hennessy, created one of the first golf clubs in France which was initiated by French players!
Two courses were laid out; an 18-hole course of 5,100 yards and a short nine hole course for the ladies. It soon became an important club in the region, attracting many Brits. In 1911 when the count Antoine de Gontaut-Biron was the president the club had 240 members. Dominique Coussies was the professional before WW1. Following the war Arnaud Massy was professional for a short time.
Attached to the Deauville-Clairefontaine racecourse, the Old Course disappeared during the Second World War, destroyed by German troops who were trying to recover the sand on which it extended for the construction of the batteries of Mount Canisy.
The "New Golf Club" at Deauville was inaugurated in 1929 on the heights of Deauville. The Marquis of Lassay had once built a castle there for Mademoiselle de Montpensier.
The second golf course at Deauville The "New Course" was laid out by Tom Simpson, after his work at Chantilly (1909), Fontainebleau (1909), Morfontaine (1913) and Chiberta (1925). The club consisted of two courses, with 18 holes and 9 holes.
The following is from the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1900; Membership of 200; Hon. Sec. – M Batut, 3 Rue du Cercle, Deauville; Captain, Mr Ridgeway; Professional, Dominique Coussies (Pau Golf Club); Number of holes 18, Ladies 9; Subs 60frs a year and 20frs per week.
Image courtesy of Frank Accleton.
From the Dundee Evening Telegraph Monday 22 August 1910; "PROFESSIONAL MATCHES AT DEAUVILLE - Over the links of the Deauville Golf Club today a two days' professional tournament was entered upon. The players engaged were; James Braid, Walton Heat, the present Open Champion; Harry Vardon, Totteridge; Arnaud Massy, St Jean de Luz, the present holder of the Belgian Championship; A Lafitte, professional to the Bordeaux Club. Foursomes were the order of play, Vardon and Braid opposing the Frenchmen." Result of the match; Arnaud Massy and A Lafitte beat Braid and Vardon by 1 up over 36-holes.
Duchesse de Decazes presenting the silver cup to Duc de Mouchy (winner of the golf competition) at Deauville in 1921. Source BnF.
Silver cup presented by Sport Universel of Deauville to the winner of a golf tournament. Duchesse Decazes, Mme de Dupre, Marquise St Sauveur in 1921. Source BnF.
Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 19 August 1922. Image © Illustrated London News Group.
The club recovered following the Great War. Unfortunately the ladies lost their course but the club continued to grow and there were 350 members in 1925. With the 18-hole course only measuring 5,100 yards it was considered far too short according to the new standards.
On the tee at Deauville.
From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Deauville-sur-Mer Golf Club (Calvados); Membership, 350; Joint secretaries - E Fleig, 5 Square de Roule, Paris, and M Graindor, The Golf Club; Professional, J Bomboudiac; 18-holes; The course is open from 1 July to 30 September; Sunday play allowed.
The Sphere Saturday 29 March 1930. Image © Illustrated London News Group.
From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; New Golf Club, Deauville, Calvados; Secretary - Capt. P H Waterer, R.N (Retired); Professional, R Freemantle; Green-keeper, J MacFarlane; 18-holes; Course records; Amateur - R Wethered, 74; Professional - A Boomer, P Alsuguren, T Genta, A Boyer and , L Montes, 67; Visitors, 40 francs per day, 150 francs per week; 400 francs per month; 500 francs season; Sunday play.
Deauville Hotel du Golf et le New-Golf pre-WW2.
Terrace du New Golf pre-WW2.
From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Golf Club de Deauville-sur-Mer; Membership, 350; Secretary, Cochet; Professional, Bombediac; 18-holes; Visitors, 30 francs a day, 170 franks per week; 420 francs per week; Open from Easter to 25 September
Also listed in 1937; New Golf Club, Deauville, Calvados; Secretary, Major J G Gillespie; Course records; Amateur - R Wethered, 74; Professional - A Boomer, P Alsuguren, T Genta, A Boyer and , L Montes, 67; 18-holes; Visitors, 30 francs per day, 150 francs per week; 400 francs per month; 500 francs season; Sunday play; Course open from Easter to end of September.
The course closed at the time of WW2 and was used as a camp by British troops.
Following the war the golf course was transformed into a horse racing course.
In 1964 the golf course was restored to a design by the former British golf champion Henry Cotton. A ruin of the castle built by the Marquis de Lassay is still visible between the tees on holes 13 and 16 on the current Red and White course.
The above Map shows both The Golf Club de Deauville-sur-Mer (to the north), and the New Golf Club, Deauville (south.) Source BnF.
The Google Map Below pinpoints Avenue du Golf, Deauville, location of the first (1899) course.