The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Porthcawl Golf Club, Lock’s Common Course. (1891 - 1900s)

Founded 1891. The original eleven-hole course was on Lock’s Common, a clubhouse was erected near the present Ocean View.

In 1909 the club was given the “Royal” title, conferred by Edward V11.

The first president was Sir Morgan Morgan and the first captain was Henry Joseph Simpson. Charles Gibson, the Westward Ho! Professional was given the task of laying out the course on the common.

During the months of July and August the course was taken over by the Volunteer Regiment, today’s Territorial Army, for manoeuvres. Despite this the golfers and the army had a very amicable relationship, so much so that a Shield was presented to the golf club, “The Severn Brigade Shield” this is still played for to this day by the current club members, as is the “Brogden Bowl” donated by James Brogden a founder member of the club.

Extract of an article from the South Wales Daily News Friday 11 March 1892; “What may be said to have been virtually the opening of the Porthcawl Golf Club took place on Thursday, some two score players handling the clubs with more or less proficiency. It is true that, strictly speaking, this is the second year of the club. The club has engaged a professional golfer from Musselburgh, and the links are in splendid condition, with the putting greens as smooth as a billiard table. Local golfers are fortunate in having for their links so fine a stretch of common land, extending from the Rifle Butts towards the “Rest.” It contains eleven-holes and the conditions will suit every style of play. The membership of the club numbers 90. Despite the wintry weather on Thursday there was a good muster on the links, including; Sir Morgan Morgan, president of the club, H J Simpson, J Pyman, T Barlow, Albert Foa, T Southwell-Jones, L Gueret, H C Vivian, C C Vivian, J Tute, W S Vivian, hon. secretary.” 

The following report is from the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News Saturday 18 March 1892. "That the South Waliens have caught the "Golf Fever" is evident from the number of clubs which have lately come into existence in that part of the country. There are a good many private courses, notably; Sketty Park, St Fagan's (in Lord Windsor's Park), and one also at the charming country seat of Mr A J Williams, M.P., at Pencoed, but the public club which has beome most popular is at Porthcawl, of which we give sketches. This is mainly owing to the suitable nature of the ground, and the fact that it is within twenty to thirty miles range of a most populous and wealthy district, and is admirably served as regards train accommodation by the Great Western Railway, to say nothing of the fact that Porthcawl claims to be one of the prettiest watering holes on the Bristol Channel. The course runs parallel with the coast, and from the "Hill" Hole (No. 2) there is a pretty panorama to be seen as can be imagined. On the right is Swansea Bay, the Mumbles Head, and a succession of bays stretching to the Worms Head. Looking across Channel on a fine, clear day, Ilfracombe and Lynton show out prominently, and behind the town of Porthcawl the beautiful mansion of Miss Talbot, viz. Margdon Abbey, and further east, closely by Southerndown, is Dunraven Castle, the seat of the Earl of Dunraven. The Porthcawl Golf Club sprang into existence last year, through the energy of Mr H J Simpson, whose efforts were so appreciated, that the permission to lay the course was at once granted by the Lord of the Manor and the Commoners, and in the short period that has elapsed 100 members have joined. The applications now are so numerous that the committe anticipate having at least 200 members to commene the golf year in July next. The executive is a very strong one with Mr Morgan Morgan at the head as president. There are seven vice-presidents, and a working committee of 16 gentlemen, including hon. secretary Mr N Vivian. Mr White, of the North Berwick Club, is shortly expected to enter upon his duties as professional. Negotiations are in course of progress for a clubhouse, but in the meantime the Porthcawl Hotel is the headquarters; this hotel is only a five minutes' walk from the ground and in it there is every comfort for golfers." 

Below are the early sketches of the course on Lock's Common mentioned in the above report. From top left to right - Mr H J Simpson; Rhudjens Farm from the Home Green; Loking across Rest Bay towards Sker; Sir Morgan Morgan; A foursome game; Mr W S Vivian; From the eighth hole looking towards Porthcawl; Caught in a snow storm.

From The Illustrated Sport & Dramatic News Saturday 19 March 1892. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The pre-Royal (1909) Porthcawl Golf Club, player's jacket button (25mm). Image courtesy of Dixon Pickup.

Following is the result of the fourth monthly medal  competition played by the Porthcawl Golf Club on Saturday 9 July 1892. The weather was unfavourable but the greens were good; Sir Joseph Spearman, 129-45-84; W Rees, J.P., 130-45-85; W S Vivian, 115-25-90; H C Vivian, 125-34-91; Jestyn Williams, 143-50-93; J F F Common, 119-24-95; S D Churchill, 126-28-98; T Cole, 150-50-100; H J Simpson, 121-20-101; J V Heneage, 121-20-101; Dr. Alexander, 157-40-117; Mr Seddon, 170-50-120. 

The final place for the ladies' captaincy and the prize presented by Mr H J Simpson took place on Monday 19 September 1892, result; Miss Bind, 1st round 93, 2nd round 78, handicap 6 =  165; Miss A Sibbering Williams, 101+91-8= 184; Mrs Ward, 123+93-18=198; Miss Sibbering Williams, 99+111-10=200; Mrs S H Churchill, 111+110-18=203; Miss Trayes, 110+117-20=207; Mrs Alexander, 123+115-15+223.

Below is a report on the Spring Meeting 1894.

From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News 7 April 1894. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

Result of a match played by the Porthcawl Ladies' Golf Club against Glamorganshire Ladies' Golf Club in February 1897.

Western Mail Friday 12 February 1897. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Towards the end of the 1890s a further nine-holes were acquired to the north, the original course was still being used at this time to make up the 18-holes, but it meant quite a walk between the two courses. In the end land for a further nine holes was made available to the north, and the old course was abandoned by the Porthcawl Golf Club.

The club moved to the 18-hole course in May 1899 and is still there today.

From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 15 April 1899. Image © Illustrated London News Group.

In the early 1900s the Lock’s Common Course was intended to be used by the Porthcawl Ladies’ Club and it appears they played a competition on “their own ground” in November 1900, result below.

South Wales Daily News Tuesday 13 November 1900. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The ladies eventually abandoned the course on Lock’s Common and began playing on the new 18-hole course.

The original 9-hole course continued to be played by local residents, probably up to World War 1.

There are numerous references of this in the local press and In October 1904 a new club was formed to take advantage of this facility.

The following report is from the Evening Express 17 October 1904; “New Club For Porthcawl – Ever since the Sker Common, to the north of the “Rest” Convaescent Home, became the venue of play of the Porthcawl Golf Club, the former links – the Lock’s Common – have been used by a large number of local enthusiasts. At a meeting of thes players held on Saturday night at the Central Restaurant, Porthcawl, when Mr R B Chalk presided over a good attendance, it was unanimously resolved, on the motion of Mr E Rees, seconded by Harry Cole, that a golf club be formed, and that it should be known as the “Lock’s Common Golf Club” in order to distinguish it from the “Porthcawl Golf Club.”

Mr Stanley Elt moved that Mrs Gordon, be elected president of the club. Mr A Williams seconded and it was carried. The Hon. Ivor Guest, M.P., and E Breffit, W A Scrivener, H J Simpson, T J Hughes and Edmund Hearne were elected vice-presidents. Herbert Clare was elected captain of the club; H Cole, vice-captain; R R Chalk, treasurer; D R Evans, hon. secretary; committee – E Rees, S Elt, T David, A Rees and D Crosby. It was stated that several members of the Porthcawl club had promised the new club financial assistance, and a hope was expressed that home and away matches might be arranged with the Porthcawl team”.

It must have been anticipated by the members of this new club that securing the permission to play over Locks Common was a formality. Porthcawl Golf Club hadn’t encountered any difficulty when they sought permission 13 years previously from the Lady of the Manor, Mrs Gordon. Unfortunately, for this fledgling club they were sorely mistaken. They were rebuffed by Mrs Gordon and the town council. 

Despite this rebuff, it’s clear that the course continued to be used by the locals for some considerable time thereafter, though there were always repeated Sunday playing and safety problems which surfaced from time to time.

Extract from a report from the Cardiff Times 26 June 1909; “Porthcawl Council – The clerk was asked to inform Mrs Gordon, lady of the manor, that they proposed issuing notices prohibiting the playing of golf on Lock’s Common at any time on Sundays and on weekdays between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. during the summer months”.

The maps below show the location of the early course on Lock's Common.

Ordnance Survey Map Revised 1897 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1900}

Location of the course on Lock's Common.

Grid reference SS80680,77430, co-ordinates 280680,177430.