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Aberkenfig & District/Court Colman Golf Club. (1914 - WW2)

The first club appeared in 1914 and was called the Aberkenfig & District Golf Club; The second club and course was at Court Colman in the early 1920s; In 1925 the Aberkenfig Golf Club at Ynysawdre came into being, this club disappeared in about 1934. In 1934 the newly formed Aberkenfig Gold Club appears at Tan-y-coed, it continued until WW2 when the course was taken over for the war effort.  

It was reported in the Western Mail on Tuesday 2 June 1914 that the growing neighbourhood of Tondu was the latest district to become charmed with the mysteries of the Royal and Ancient game. A public meeting was held in the Lion Hotel, Aberkenfig, at the end of May,  Mr Frank H Heaven was elected chairman. It was resolved that the club would be known as the Aberkenfig & District Golf Club and the following officers were elected; President, W H Hitchings; treasurer, Evan Thomas; secretary, W L Hitchings; Eiryn Davies, J Pictom, James and Barry Coytrahen. One of the conditions of the letting of the land was that there would be no Sunday play.   

Aberkenfig & District Golf Club did not survive WW1.   

Reports on the Tondu and Aberkenfig club and course in May 1919.

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Western Mail Wednesday 7 May 1919. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Western Mail Tuesday 13 May 1919. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Interesting to note that the secretary listed in the Golfer's Handbook throughout the 1920s and early 1930s was Wyn L Hitchings, Pentyla Saon, Aberkenfig (secretary at the earlier club.) The green-keeper was G Baldwin. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day. Station Tondu (GWR).

Report on the progress in December 1919.

Western Mail Tuesday 23 December 1919. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Steady progress reported in March 1920.

Western Mail Tuesday 23 March 1920. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the opening of the new course at Ynsawdre in May 1925.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 8 May 1925. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the Glamorgan Gazette Friday 15 May 1925 - "A snake was found snugly curled up in the hole of one of the greens during the opening rounds on Aberkenfig's  new golf course last week. Members of the club within earshot of the player who made the discovery are inclined to believe that it was merely the Tempter in his old disguise waiting to make novices conversant with the golf language."

The Ordnance Survey Map below shows Ynysawdre Farm, location of the course in the mid 1920s. The Map is from the 1940s and the course had long gone by this time.

O.S. Map Revised 1941 to 1942 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1949}.

In July 1929 Mr W Gulwell holed in one at the 110 yard eighth hole.

Result of a match played on the Ynysawdre course against Bridgend and Coity Golf Club in July 1930.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 11 July 1930. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golf ceased to be played on the Ynysawdre course in 1934.

In June 1934 a report on a possible new course.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 22 June 1934. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the newly formed club in July 1934.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 27 July 1934. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the Glamorgan Gazette Friday 21 June 1935 - "Mr H Aldworth, of Bryncoch, is the first member of the Aberkenfig Golf Club to hole in one on the new course at Tanycoed. Playing on Thursday afternoon last week he holed his tee shot on the second hole, a distance of 150 yards."

The Ordnance Survey Map below shows Tyny-coed, location of the new course in 1934.

O.S. Map Revised 1941 to 1942 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1949}.

It was reported in August 1935 that many new members had joined. The course was in splendid condition, the greens had been improved, whilst many of the holes had ben lengthened and bunkered. The club championship was played and was won by Eric Bailey defeating B Williams by 4 and 2.

Report on the annual meeting from the Glamorgan Gazette Friday 13 March 1936 - "The annual meeting was held at the Welfare Hall on Thursday last week, D C Whittingham presided. There was a good attendance of members and some important decisions were made. A H Fraley of Sarn, was elected captain; H Aldworth, vice-captain. A good season is eagerly looked forward to, as the course has improved of late."

Cup presented for competition in October 1936.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 9 October 1936. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The club championship was played in January 1937 and was won by Leslie Bicknell who defeated D Lewis by one up.

Report on the annual meeting held in April 1938.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 8 April 1938. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in May 1939.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 26 May 1939. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Hopes of a revival following WW2.

Glamorgan Gazette Friday 31 August 1945. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Nothing further found.

Location of the Court Colman course.