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Presteigne Golf Club, Powys. (1897 - 1924)

Founded in 1897 when the professional was J Edwards. In 1906 the secretary was F L Green.

The earlier spelling of Presteign was also used.

Report on the club and course in July 1898.

Radnorshire Standard Wednesday 13 July 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match played at Brampton Bryan in August 1898.

Radnorshire Standard Wednesday 10 August 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match against Kingsland played in September 1898.

Radnorshire Standard Wednesday 7 September 1898. Public domain.

Result of a match against Knighton played by the earlier Presteign club in May 1901.

Leominster News and North West Herefordshire & Radnorshire Advertiser Friday 10 May 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing Presteigne. The early course was a few minutes walk from the town, unfortunately the golf course is not marked.

O.S. Map Revised 1902; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1904}.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Hon. secretary, F L Green; captain, J S Day; entrance fee nil and subs 10 shillings; professional, S Greenhouse; 9-holes; visitors 5 shillings a week.

Shrewsbury Chronicle Friday 16 November 1906. Image © Midland News Association. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The club was reconstituted in 1907.

Report on the new golf course in March 1907.

Radnor Express Thursday 7 March 1907. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The opening of the later course by Sir P C Milbank. Images courtesy of Graham Rowley.

The location of the 9-hole course in 1911 was Broadheath Common, which was, in fact, not nearly large enough and the club had to secure the right to play over some adjoining farmland. Whenever common land is used there is nearly always conflict between the golfer and the general public, who also have right of way over the land - not an ideal partnersihp. To attempt a compromise, the golf club made it clear that there would only be two or three holes laid out on the common. After a couple of months the application was sanctioned by the council and “the making of greens and also the erection of hurdles for bunkers could take place, provided the commoners did not object”. The new course was opened in May 1911. The opening ceremony was performed by the President of the club, Sir Powlett Milbank who made a brief speech and declared the course open for play and set the example to others by himself driving a ball from the first tee “the ball being picked up about 150 yards away”

In 1914 the secretary was G.S Tovey, Lloyds Bank House and the professional S Greenhouse. There was no entry fee. Subs for gents were £1/1/0 and ladies 10/6d. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 3/6d a week. Sunday play was not allowed.

The club survived until about 1924 when the secretary was J Mackintosh, Lloyds Bank, Presteigne. The greenkeeper was still S Greenhouse. Visitors’ fees were unchanged. There were stations at Presteign (GWR) 18 minutes and Knighton (L&NWR) 7 ½ miles away.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1920/30s showing Broad Heath, unfortunately the course is not marked.

O.S. Map Revised 1927; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1930}.