Pontypool Golf Club, Torfaen. (1903 - 1920s)
Founded in 1903.
Report on the new golf club in April 1903.
The course opened on the 4 June 1903 with the opening game being played by Mr Reginald McKenna and Mr Lloyd George. Willie Fernie advised on the layout of the nine-hole course.
The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Pontypool & District Golf Club; Instituted 1903; Membership of 90; Joint hon. secretaries - T B Pearson, Frosmont House, Pontypool, and A C Fowler, Hill Grove, Pontypool; Captain, T B Pearson; Entrance Fee £1/1s and Subs £1/1s; Nine-holes; Professional, T Tate; Professional record - W Fernie, 45; Amateur record - E G Bailey, 50; Visitors' fees - 1s a day, Thursday and Saturday, 2s, 5s a week. The course is a long one, one and three quarter miles, and very sporting in character. Mountain turf dry even after the heaviest rain. The pavilion stands 1,000ft above sea-level and the top green nearly 1,200ft. The whole course affords splendid views of the surrounding country and of the Bristol Channel.
The Tranch course was situated in a remote spot alongside the Coch Y North Road, there was a basic tin-clad clubhouse but the biggest problem was the accessibility. Because of this a group of members decided to move away and form the Panteg Golf Club at New Inn in 1908 (see separate entry).
The Pontypool club moved to its present location at Trevethin in the early 1920s.