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Barmouth/Merionethshire/Fairbourne Golf Club. (1891 - 1960s)

It was known as Barmouth Golf Club in the early years.

The Meronethshire Golf Club came into being 1893.

The earlier was club located at Fairbourne was originally known as the Barmouth/Merionethshire Golf Club which was listed as being just south of Barmouth. The course had splendid views of the Mawddach Estuary and Barmouth.

It became Fairbourne Golf Club in 1904.

The following report is from the Cambrian News Friday 27 February 1891; "Golfing - A golf club is in course of formation at Barmouth. About ninety members have been enrolled including Mr C R J Owen, the high sheriff, William Griffith and Mr A Osmond Williams, Castle Deudraeth. The links will be formed on the Penrhyn (Fairbourne) and the farm house will be converted into a Golf Club House."

Barmouth & County Advertiser Wednesday 6 April 1892. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a competition played by the Barmouth Golf Club in August 1892.

Barmouth & County Advertiser Wednesday 10 August 1892. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The following report is from the Cambrian News Friday 16 September 1892 -"Mr John Leigh Taylor, The Cliffe, Penmaenpool, has presented the Barmouth Golf Club with a magnificent silver challenge cup. The cup, which is of solid silver, gold lined, stands on an ebony base and is about 28 inches high. It is to be competed for by members of the club only in October. On Tuesday the handicap and cup presented by the president of the club, Mr Kerr, Tanybwlch, was competed for." Also in September 1892 the competition for Mr Kerr's Cup was played. It was reported that "Several ladies crossed the Ferry, to watch the contest, among whom where Mrs Best, Mrs Wilkin, Glanmawddach, and Miss Rogers. The winner of the cup was Mr C E J Owen, Hengwrt ucha, Dolgelly, his two rounds being 63 and 62 - 125." 

Report on the Merionethshire Golf  Club from May 1893 mentions that the course was laid out by John Morris of Hoylake. The hon. secretary at this time was T W Best.

From the Field Saturday 6 May 1893. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The following report is from the Sheffield Daily Telegraph Wednesday 4 July 1894. (Interesting that the article refers to it as the "Royal Merionethshire Golf Club") - "To those local gentlemen who are uncertain where to go for the summer holiday, because of the uncertainty as to a suitable links, let me recommend Barmouth on the Welsh coast. There one can have the grandest possible holiday, with scenery of the best, boating and bathing not to be excelled, and golf links lying upon an island in the middle of the Mowddch (sic) river, to which golfers are ferried by willing boatmen. The links are the property of the Royal Merioneth Golf Club, membership of which can be had for a month or less."

Competition results from August 1894.

"Golf" Friday 17 August 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In January 1895 at a meeting in Shrewsbury Mr C E J Owen of the Merionethshire Golf Club, moved, and Mr Barlow of the Glamorganshire and Porthcawl Clubs, seconded the motion that a "Welsh Golfing Union" be formed. 

It was reported in May 1896 that Major Best had resigned as secretary, a position he had held since the formation of the club. The committee appointed Mr Jones, manager at the N and S Wales Bank, Barmouth, as his successor.

Competition played in November 1896 for a cup presented by the Cambrian Railway Company.

Barmouth & County Advertiser Thursday 12 November 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a ladies' competition played in November 1896.

Barmouth & County Advertiser Thursday 26 November 1896. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Concert for the Merionethshire Golf Club in August 1899.

Cambrian News Friday 18 August 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of the Challenge Cup competition played in August 1899.

Barmouth & County Advertiser Thursday 31 August 1899. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was announced that the 1900 summer meeting of the Merionethshire Golf Club would be held on Tuesday August 7 to Friday August 10. 

Extract fro a report that appeared in the Barmouth and County Advertiser on Thursday 12 May 1904 - "Fairbourne Golf Links - Since the Merionethshire Golf Club decided to give up the tenancy on the Links on Penrhyn Point it must have been felt by many of our readers that Barmouth and Fairbourne and other places in the vicinity had lost one of the attractions they can offer to visitors.

We are glad to be able to announce that the course in question has been re-opened, and that F Hadwin has bee re-engaged as professional and green-keeper on the course. Those who formerly used the links will remember the care which Hadwin looked after the course and the pleasant way in which he tried to render enjoyable the use of the course by visitors. A new golf pavilion has been provided, about halfway between Penrhyn Bellhouse and Fairbourne, containing a ladies' room as well as a larger room for general use, a professional's room, and a  caddy shelter, together with the usual conveniences. The number of the holes has been changed, number one tee being close to the new pavilion, but in other respects the course will be almost identical with that played over by the Merionethshire Golf Club. The Fairbourne Golf Club will issue tickets to visitors and residents (ladies and gentlemen) on the following terms; one shilling a day, 10s/6d a month; 15 shillings for twelve months."

There is no entry for the club in the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook. 

In 1906 visitors’ fees were 1/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/6d a month. 

Local hotels were the Orielton Hall Hotel, which was opposite Fairbourne golf links, and Ynys Faig Hall, the only other hotel near to the golf links. The station at Fairbourne was half a mile away. Sunday play was not allowed until the mid 1920s.

In a course description from about 1910 the following information was given: “This sporting and interesting course of 9 holes is situated close to the shore and nowhere can the game be enjoyed in better or amidst more beautiful scenery. The new clubhouse has accommodation for Ladies as well as Gents. It is only 6 minutes walk from Fairbourne station. The links have been lengthened and the bunkers and the surface throughout carefully improved.”

There were numerous entries and keen competition at the August Tournament in 1910, result as follows; H W Hornby 79; Canon Lambert (of Hull) 81; D G Wake Williams (of Dolgellau) 82.

Pre-WW1 picture of the Fairbourne clubhouse.

Image courtesy of Frank Accleton.

From the Hereford Times 3 September 1910 - "In these days when golf is so popular, it is essential to mention that the excellent coast course of the Merionethshire Golf Club of 18-holes is close to Barmouth."

In 1914 there was a membership of 60. Visitors’ fees were now 1/6d a day, 5/- a week, 10/6d  a month and £1/1/0 a year. Tickets for play could be obtained at the Ynys Faig Hall Hotel, at the clubhouse, or from Mr Cotsworth at the Estate Office.

This one for the win. Golfer on the early Fairbourne course.

Throughout the 1920s visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 7/6d a week and 17/6d a month. Membership at this time was about 50.

By the mid 1930s membership had reduced to 40 and visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day, 7/6d a week and 15/- a month.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s there was a membership of 65, the SSS was 72.

From 1947 to the club’s closure in the early 1960s, the secretary was Major Lloyd Williams, Cartrefle, Fairbourne. The professional and greenkeeper was L Williams. The SSS had been revised to 70. Membership throughout this period was about 75. Visitors’ fees were now 2/6d a round, 3/6d a day, 10/6d a week, 17/6d a fortnight.

Fairbourne clubhouse and ninth green

The third tee on the Fairbourne links

The Mawddach Estuary from the Golf Links, Fairbourne.

Map of Fairbourne Golf Links and Clubhouse. © Crown Copyright {1938}

There is currently a nine-hole pitch and put course at Fairbourne.