Llandeilo (Llandilo) Golf Club. Carmarthenshire. (1908 - 1960s)
Founded in 1908/9.
Llandeilo (Llandilo other spelling) Golf Club was a 9-hole hilly course just outside the village laid out by Peter Rainford.
Stations at Llandeilo Bridge 1 ½ mile and Llandeilo ½ mile. Sunday play was not allowed until just prior to WW2. Local hotels were the Cawdor Arms and the Castle.
When the short lived Brynavon/Ammanford Golf Club course closed in the 1930s the Ammanford golfers moved to play their golf on the Llandeilo course. See separate entry on this website for the short history of The Brynavon/Ammanford at Brynavon.
Report on the formation of the club in January 1910.
Secretaries |
Professional/greenkeeper |
|
1914 |
G C Porter, Solicitor. |
A Whiting (p) 1909 - 1914 |
1923/1924 |
D James, “Frongeg” The Crescent, Llandeilo |
W Coombes (p) 1915 - 38 |
1925/1926 |
T W Richards, Lloyds Bank, Llandeilo. |
|
1940/1947 |
A D Herbert, Bryn Marlais, Ammanford. |
D R Lewis (p&g) |
Above is the Llandeilo Past Captains Board. This is displayed at the Glynhir Golf Club a few miles from the former Llandeilo Golf Club (apologies for the camera glare).
In 1914 there was no entry fee. Subs for gents were £2/2/0 and ladies 10/6d. Visitors’ fees were 1/6d a day for gents and 1/- for ladies, 5/- a week 3/- for ladies, 15/- a month 10/- for ladies.
Results from the second round for Lord Dynevor's prize played in July 1914; D James beat T C Hurley; H G Sturgess beat C E Morgan; D M Davies beat G C Porter; P Ll Humphreys beat T A Griffiths. J C Edmunds, J B Davies and J R Evans received byes.
Result of a match played in May 1923.
Report on the annual meeting in April 1924.
In 1923/4 there was a membership of 150.
1925/6 the course records were amateur: Captain W L Roberts and G C Porter (39); professional W Coombes (37).
From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Llandilo Golf Club; Membership 112; Hon. Sec., T W Richards, Lloyds Bank, Llandilo; Professional, William Coombes; Course records; Amateur - B G Hill, 39; Professional, unnamed, 34; Nine-holes; Station, Llandilo, half-miles; Visitor's fees, gents, 1s/6d a day, ladies 1s; 5s a week, 15s a month; No sunday play.
Lord Dynevor formally opened the new clubhouse on the 29 August 1929. Following the opening a four-ball match was played by, R A Jones (Clyne), D de Lloyd (Aberystwyth), D Randall Lewis (Ashburnham), T R Hopkins (Ashburnham).
Report on the annual meeting in May 1931.
Report on the annual meeting in May 1932. The Ammanford section of golfers are now part of the Llandilo club.
Picture of members of the Ammanford section of the Llandilo Golf Club at the Annual Ball in February 1933.
In the final of the competition for the Cameronian Cup in November 1933 J Edwards defeated D Ewart Davies by 3 and 2.
From the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Llandilo Golf Club; Membership 200; Secretary - T B Jones, Abbots Hill, Llandilo; Professional and green-keeper, William Coombes; Nine-holes; Visitors, gents 2s a day, 7s a week; 15s a month; ladies, 1s/6d a day, 5s a week, 10s a month; No Sunday play.
Result of the May 1934 medal; Hugh Williams, 88-19-69; Miss Dilys Davies, 98-28-70; Capt. B G Hill, 89-17-72; G Evans, 94-21-73; Mrs W E Llewelyn, 97-23-74. D Randall Lewis had recently been appointed professional at the club.
Report on the third annual dance of the Ammanford club in March 1935.
Report on the annual meeting in May 1935.
In July 1935 the final of the G C Porter Cup I Milwyn Morgan (Llandilo) and and Angus R James (Ammanford) beat Morris Jones and Gwyn Davies by 4 and 3.
From the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Llandilo Golf Club; Membership 200; Secretary - T B Jones, Abbots Hill, Llandilo; Professional and green-keeper, William Coombes; Nine-holes, SSS 69; Visitors, gents 2s a day, 7s a week; 15s a month; ladies, 1s/6d a day, 5s a week, 10s a month; No Sunday play.
In September 1937 in the Llandilo Golf Club ladies' competition for the Joan Roberts Cup Miss Pat Roberts beat Mrs D Ewart Davies by 3 and 2.
Competition results from May 1938.
In June 1938 Evan J Evans, a member of Llandilo Golf Club, competing with Allen Jones, holed in one at the fourth, which was recognised by golfers as one of the best short holes in Wales.
In April 1939 R Lloyd Roberts, who had been treasurer for the previous five years, was appointed captain, his daughter, Miss Pat Roberts, was appointed ladies' captain.
Report on the annual meeting in May 1939.
In the final of the "Rabbit's Challenge Cup in June 1940 William Bowdler beat Miss Florrie Jones by 6 and 5.
In May 1941 the following officers were elected; Captain, George Benson (Llandilo); Vice-captain, Percy J James (Ammanford); Ladies' captain, Miss Ethel Davies; Ladies' vice-captain, Mrs Veater.
It was reported in June 1945 that Mr R Lloyd Roberts, formerly bank manager Llandilo, had been presented with a substantial cheque by members of Llandilo Golf Club for his long service as treasurer, and also as secretary during the war years, both in an honorary capacity.
In 1940 and 1947 the 9-hole course had a SSS of 70 and club membership was about 190. Visitors’ fees were Gents 2/- a day, 7/6d a week, 15/- a month. Ladies 1/6d, 5/-, 10/- respectively.
In March 1947 Mrs T A Griffiths, secretary for over 30 years and a former captain of the ladies' section of the club, was presented with a silver teapot by Mrs Eusatce Llewelyn, Ammanford, on behalf of the members.
In October 1947 the Joan Roberts Cup was won by Miss Isabel Evans (Llandilo), who defeated Mrs D Ewart Davies by 1up.
In October 1948 Mrs D Ewart Davies of Ammanford holed in one at the 130 yard eighth hole.
In March 1954 the following officers were elected; President, Lord Dynevor; Captain, P Wyden; Hon. treasurer, D W James; Hon. secretary, R F Wiles; Committee - W Davies, Chris Evans, D J Griffiths and A M Rees.
The club continued until the late 1960s when the secretary was J Trefor Thomas, “The Poplars” 53 Pontamon Road, Ammanford. The professional and green-keeper was E B King. The 9 hole course had a total length of 5,632yds and a SSS of 67. Visitors’ fees were 5/- a day, 12/6d a week and 25/- a month.
During a visit to the site in 2004 the landowner Mr Dewi Thomas gave us a guided tour of the old course and pointed out the areas of many tees and greens which could still be clearly identified. The building foundations of the clubhouse and car park could also be seen. Although the clubhouse itself had been demolished the original step to the entrance to the clubhouse was still in place. The above pictures were taken during the visit.
Ordnance Survey Map showing the golf course and clubhouse.
The current Glynhir Golf Club base their history on the former Llandeilo Golf Club.