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Newport/Ladyhill Golf Club, Ladyhill Course, Gwent. (1902 - 1922)

Originally known as Newport Golf Club it later became Lady Hill Golf Club (sometimes spelt Lady Hill).

Report from the Western Daily Press Tuesday 16 December 1902 - "A golf club has been formed at Newport with a membership of nearly 200. Links will be made on a very suitable locality at Lliswerry."

The early professional was J Chitty followed by C Lloyd and then Harry Williams who continued up to WW1. From 1921 to 1923 the professional was John W Harrison.

In the early 1920s the land the course occupied was required for building purposes. The club disappeared in 1922 when they moved to form the Tredegar Park Golf Club. 

Lady Hill was the first site of  the Newport Golf Club. It opened as a 9-hole course in March 1903. It was extended to 18-holes in 1904. The proximity of the town and the nature of the sub soil meant the site was unsatisfactory in the long term. In 1912 many members joined the Newport Golf Club which had set up a course at the current site near Rogerstone. A number of members stayed on at Lady Hill and built a 9-hole course before setting up the original Tredegar Park club in 1921. Thanks to Ian (unfortunately no surname) for this contribution.

Report on the progress of the club and course in February 1903.

From the South Wales Weekly Argus and Monmouthshire Advertiser Saturday 14 March 1903; "Professionals W Fernie of Penarth and J Chitty of Newport - This match was played at Liswerry on Saturday afternoon. About 100 of the members were present. The course which had suffered very much from the rain, was in fairly good playing order. The greens were very slow. Fernie drove first, but was short of the green. Chitty, with a splendid drive, got close to the green. The hole was divided owing to Chitty missing an easy put. Both men drove a long ball at the next hole, but Fernie had the best position. He however missed the hole due to Chitty's good putting. Both men were in difficulties in the quarry hole, but recovered splendidly, this hole being divided. Chitty drove the better ball at the long hole but Fernie recovered well. Chitty however, drew the first blood with a good five, as against the Penarth man's six. The next hole went to Fernie with a good three. Fernie also secured the next with a good four. The following hole was divided , as also was number eight but the ninth was secured by Fernie with a good four. the first round ending in favour of Fernie by 2up." Following the second nine holes the match went to Fernie by 5up. In the first round Fernie scored 41 as against 43. In the second round Fernie scored 45 against Chitty's 48. 

At the annual meeting in February 1904 the following officers were elected; Patron, Lord Tredegar; President, W H P Jenkins; Vice-president, Lieutenant Courtenay Morgan; Captain, Fred Phillips; Vice-captain, T H Railton; Secretaries, Dr J H Jones and H Wood. 

South Wales Weekly Argus and Monmouthshire Advertiser Saturday 7 May 1904. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Western Mail Monday 17 October 1904. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Newport (Mon) Golf Club; Instituted 1903; Membership 300; Hon. secretary - H Wood, 33 Llanthewey Road, Newport; Captain, H S Lyne; Professional, C Lloyd; Entrance fee £1/1s and subs £2/2s; 18-holes; Visitors, 2s/6d a day, 7s/6d a week, £1/1s a month. The course is very dry, being situated on limestone. Fine hazards and bunkers are found throughout.

Result of a match played against the now defunct Barry Golf Club on the Leys course in March 1910.

The second teams played on the Ladyhill course in March 1910.

From the Western Mail Friday 20 September 1912 - "The Newport Golf Club on Thursday evacuated the old course at Ladyhill for the new links at Cefyn, on a site which was described by Harry Vardon as "likely to be made one of the best of inland links." There was a large gathering of prominent Welsh golfers, both men and women, at the opening ."

Report on the newly-formed Ladyhill Golf Club in May 1913.

Western Mail Tuesday 20 May 1913. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below is the result of a match played at Pontnewydd Golf Club in June 1914.

The final round of the ladies' spring tournament was played in June 1914 with Miss Gwen Williams defeating Miss M Edmunds by 4&3.

Following is an extract from a report from the Western Mail on Tuesday 14 July 1914. "The Ladyhill Club did surprisingly poor at Aberavon on Saturday. But there must not be too much astonishment shown. The Ladyhill Club is at present constituted as a new organisation, the members of which, too, do not get out to foreign links quite as much as their older and more settled friends of the Great Oak course. Of course it looks bad to see them beaten in the foursomes four to nil but they were beaten by a better team. The ladies seem to be doing much better than their friends of the sterner sex at Ladyhill. Their first open meeting ten days ago was a complete success. Mr & Mrs G H Ingham are to be congratulated, and so is Mr J Myers the hon. secretary."

Following is the result for the ladies' July 1914 monthly medal; Miss G A Farmer, 111-35-76; Mrs Koertgen, 119-38-81; Miss M Lewis, 114-32-82; Miss Gwen Williams, 108-25-83; Miss Mabel Edmunds, 120-35-85; Miss Doris Frost, 116-28- 88.

Leading scores in the August 1914 medal competition; S G Poynton, 95-16-79; L L Williams, 100-20-80; F G Slee, 100-20-80.

It was reported in August 1914 that "Six greens on the  Ladyhill golf course near Newport, Monmouth, were badly cut up. The damage is attributed to the Suffragists."

The Ladies Captain's Cup, presented by Mrs G H Ingham, was played for in September 1914. It was won by Miss Mabel Edmunds.      

Report on the seventh annual meeting held in February 1920.

Western Mail Friday 20 February 1920. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a one-sided match against Newton Nottage Golf Club (now defunct) played in June 1920.

From the Pall Mall Gazette  Thursday 25 August 1921; "A Kam, the Ladyhill (Newport) professional, has created a new record for the course by going round in 71 - 7 under bogey."

The club still as popular as ever in 1922. 

Western Mail Tuesday 3 January 1922. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The Ladyhill Club would move to a new course called the Tredegar Park Golf Club which opened in late 1922. Unfortunately this club is also now defunct, see entry on this website for the history of Tredegar Park Golf Club. 

The Golf Course and Club House marked on the post WW1 Ordnance Survey Map.

O.S. Map Revised 1917; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1922}.