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Ffestiniog Golf Club, Pencefn, Llan Ffestiniog. (1893 - 2014)
The club was originally founded in 1893.
Nine-hole course on common land at Pencefn, Llan Ffestiniog.
There was a short lived breakaway Blaenau Ffestiniog Golf Club following WW1.
Records show that on the 30 January, 1897 the Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues formally granted a licence to the Ffestiniog Golf Club.
Also known as Festiniog Golf Club and Clwb Golff Ffestiniog.
The history of the club was spread over two distinct periods; from 1893 to 1935 and from 1967 to closure in March 2014. In 1935 the original Ffestiniog Golf Club ceased to function mainly due to the general depression of the 1930s and the remoteness of the course. When the club closed in 1935 the course reverted to its ancient role of a public recreation area and sheep grazing.
The nine-hole Y Cefn course had many natural features and hazards. It was situated on the outskirts of Ffestiniog Village about 900 feet above sea level, Clwb Golff Ffestiniog was one of the highest golf courses in Wales, with stunning views of Ffestiniog and of the surrounding area stretching all the way to the North Wales coast.
There was no clubhouse on the original course, occasional use was made of a disused barn for members to gather. This building and the access to it was on private land, at one time both the first and second tees were on private land.
Ordnance Survey Map from the 1890/1900s showing Y Cefn.
O.S. Map Revised 1899;© Crown Copyright {year of publication 1901}.
Early postcard from the Ffestiniog course.
During the 1900s regular events were hell to raise money to assist in the running of the club.
From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Festiniog (sic) Golf Club; Instituted 1898; Membership 40; Hon. Secretary - R J Griffith, "Erw," The Square, Blaenau Ffestiniog; Captain, Lewis Lloyd; Entrance fee, nil; Subs 7s/6d; Nine-holes; Amateur course record, Lewis Lloyd, 68 (18-holes); Visitors, 1 shilling a day, 2s/6d a week. A beautifully situated course, with excellent natural bunkers, and kept in good order.
In May 1905 Lord Newborough presented a silver cup to the value of £25 for competition.
Result of a match played in July 1905.
North Wales Weekly News Friday 14 July 1905. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In 1906 W Edwards was appointed green-keeper being paid a maximum of 3 shillings a week. At a meeting in November 1906 a long discussion took place on the question of limiting the course to Crown Land only. At the same meeting Mr C L Owtram presented a trophy for competition.
At the annual meeting in 1907 it was stated that the club was £5/4s in debt.
At a meeting in 1909 it was stated that the rent on the field was being increased to £4/4s. It was decided to invite M J Walker, the Harlech professional, to visit the course and advise on a revised layout on Crown Land only.
In January 1910 the committee decided that the field rented from W Jones was no longer required now that the nine-holes were entirely on Crown Land. It is apparent that the £1/10s paid to the Harlech professional for the changes was money well spent.
Result of a mixed foursome played in September 1910 for a prize presented by Cyril L Owtram; E Jones (solicitor) and Mrs R O Davies, 96-12-84; J Tudor Owen and Miss A C Griffith, 97-8-89.
Following is an undated pre-WW1 advert for the club - "Festiniog Golf Club - A Sporting 9-Hole Course- Situated near Festiniog Railway Station (5 minutes walk). Natural Hazards. Club House. Golfing requisites stocked; Professional, R Williams. Subscriptions; per annum; Ladies 7s/6d; Men 10s; Under 21 years 7/6; Visitors may obtain tickets at 1/6 a day or 5s a week. The club was instituted in 1893, and has a beautifully situated course, 900 feet above sea level. The mountain and valley scenery is magnificent. For further particulars apply to the Hon. Secretary, Mr B Ll. Owen."
As with many clubs the course fell into decline at the time of WW1.
Following WW1 an attempt was made to bring the course back to the required standard but years of neglect was proving difficult.
In a turn of events in 1922 the Blanaeu Ffestiniog members of the club decided to break away from the Ffestiniog Club and start a club of their own.
At a meeting of the Ffestiniog Golf Club held in December 1922 Mr W Artro Owen, the chairman, announced that a new course would soon be opened in Blaenau Ffestiniog. It was decided to carry on with the Ffestiniog club for the time being. It was decided that the implements owned by the Ffestiniog Club be loaned to the new Blaenau Ffestiniog Golf Club at a fee of five shillings a week.
The new Blanaeu Ffestiniog Club course was at Neuadd Ddu, Manod. The president was Lord Newborough; Captain, J Tudor Owen; Vice-captain, Artro Owen; Secretary, O R Ellis.
The Blaenau Ffestiniog Golf Club was officially opened in July 1923 by Lord and Lady Newborough. A match was played by the officials of the club to celebrate the opening of the course. It was announced that the club was to erect a clubhouse on the links in a few weeks time. In the meantime refreshments could be obtained at Neuadd Ddu farmhouse.
The Ordnance Survey Map below shows Neuadd Ddu farmhouse to the north-west.
O.S. Map Revised 1914; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1920}.
The Ffestiniog Golf Club continued alongside the new club but it had detrimental financial effect on the finances of both clubs.
At a meeting of the Ffestiniog Golf Club in January 1924 it was announced that the newly formed Blaenau Ffestiniog Golf Club had been disbanded and its members wished to join the original Ffestiniog Club. The committee was unanimous in its decision to welcome back former members.
In April 1924 a groundsman was employed at a weekly wage of £1/2s/6d.
The annual subscription was increased in 1924/5 for the first time since 1904. The new rates; 15 shillings for men; ten shillings for ladies; seven shillings and sixpence for juniors.
Report on the annual meeting in April 1925.
Holyhead Mail and Anglesey Herald Friday 1 May 1925. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Holyhead Mail and Anglesey Herald Friday 24 July 1925. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 80; Hon. Secretary - R Isaac Parry, Minycoed; Green-keeper, D Thomas; Nine-holes; Course records; Amateur - J T Own, 33; Professional - R Williams, 34; Visitors, Gents, 1s/6d a day, 5s a week; Ladies, 1s a day, 3s a week; No Sunday play.
In January 1930 it was decided to restrict the course to Crown Land only. Once again it was to relinquish the three rented fields.
Golfer's Handbook 1933; Festiniog Golf Club; Membership 80; Hon. secretary - J Ellis Williams, Llys Fachno, The Square, Blaenau Festiniog; Nine-holes; Visitors, 1/6 a day, 7s a week; Subscriptions - gents, £1/1 a season; ladies, 15s a season; No Sunday play.
The President of the club from 1904 to 1935 was Lord Newborough.
The following lists of club officers for the first period of the clubs existence are taken from Ffestiniog Golf History The First One Hundred Years.
Captains; J T Owen, 1905 - 1906; R Walker Davies, 1906 - 1908; J T Owen, 1908- 1909; R Walker Davies, 1909 - 1915; Aneurin L Jones, 1915 - 1922; Frank Evans, 1922 - 1924; W Artro Owen, 1924 - 1925; O R Ellis, 1925 - 1927; R William Davies, 1927 - 1928; E Jarrett Jones, 1928 - 1929; T Lloyd, 1929 - 1931.
Secretary; WO Jones, 1905 - 1906; W J Davies, 1906 - 1908; A E Davies, 1908 - 1909; Bleddyn W Owen, 1909 - 1910; B H Owen, 1910 - 1913; O Cecil Jones, 1913 - 1914; R Walker Davies, 1914 - 1919; H Edgar Thomas, 1919 - 1921; Tom Owen, 1921 - 1924; R William Davies, 1924 - 1925; Lloyd Jones/Miss E Roberts, 1925 - 1926; Frank Evans, 1927 - 1929; O R Ellis, 1929 - 1931; R W Davies, 1931 - 1935.
Treasurer; David Davies, 1905 - 1906; W J Davies, 1906 - 1909; Bleddyn Ll Owen, 1909 - 1913; O Cecil Jones, 1913 - 1914; R Walker Davies, 1914 - 1921; W Lloyd Owen, 1921 - 1930; Tom Owen, 1930 - 1931.
The club and course fell into decline in the mid 1930s.
Course plans and scorecards from both phases of the club.
Images from Ffestiniog Golf History The First One Hundred Years.
On the 13 September 1967 a public meeting was held at Ffestiniog Hall to discuss and to test the feeling of the locals as to the need of a golf club. There was a good response and a steering committee was established to re-open the old golf course.
Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition) Thursday 25 June 1970. Image © Reach plc.
Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition) Monday 20 October 1975. Image © Reach plc.
North Wales Weekly News Thursday 23 June 1977. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Competitions played in July 1978; 18-hole competition; Gryffydd John Jones; Myfanwy Cup; Bob Jones and Mrs Avril Lloyd beat Mr and Mrs G T Jones in a play off; Three clubs competition; John Roberts.
North Wales Weekly News Thursday 14 May 1981. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Caernarvon and Denbigh Herald Friday 25 April 1986.Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
North Wales Weekly News Thursday 14 October 1993. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Golfer's Handbook 2009; Membership 138; Secretary, A Roberts; 9-holes, 4,750 metres, Par 68, SSS 66; Visitors, £10.
The club continued to be listed in the Golfer's Handbook until it ceased publication in 2015. The secretary at this time was G Hughes.
The following lists of club officers for the second period of the clubs existence (1967 to Centenary Year 1993) are taken from Ffestiniog Golf History The First One Hundred Years.
President; H Evans Jones, 1967 - 1979; M T Pritchard, 1979 - 1989; Gwyn E Jones, 1989 - 1993.
Captain; WE Roberts, 1967 - 1969; E Jarrett Jones, 1969 - 1971; Gwilym Davies, 1971 - 1993; S Wallpalmer, 1973 - 1975; F Bradley, 1975 - 1977; S Wallpalmer, 1977 - 1978; Medwyn Davies, 1978 - 1979; G E Williams, 1979 - 1980; Alwyn Evans, 1980 - 1981; R Gwynedd Jones, 1981 - 1982; J Owen, 1982 - 1983; L E Young, 1983 - 1985; Selwyn Davies, 1985 - 1986; John G Roberts, 1986 - 1987; Ifor Thomas, 1987 - 1988; G Elwyn Roberts, 1988 - 1989; Henry P Hamer, 1989 - 1990; Mike Owen, 1990- 1991; Ken R Jones, 1991 - 1992; John R Hughes, 1992 - 1993.
Secretary; G D Owen, 1967 - 1971; M S Roberts, 1971 - 1981; D W Jones/Miss M Roberts, 1981 - 1982; Miss Mary Roberts, 1982 - 1986; Mrs Agnes Pritchard, 1986 - 1988; Andrew M Roberts, 1988 - 1993.
Treasurer; B Watkins, 1967 - 1970; J G Evans, 1970 - 1973; O B Hughes, 1973 - 1982; J G Hughes, 1982 - 1993.
The par 68 course (below) measured 4,602 metres from the Gents Tees and 3,878 metres from the Ladies Tees.
Scorecard.
Course layout.
Due to lack of finances the club finally closed on the 31 March 2014. The following message appeared on the club website “Due to continuing losses the Club Committee has regrettably decided that the club is to close at the end of March 2014.”
Above the Ffestiniog club secretary, Glyn Hughes, returns the Newborough Cup to Lord Newborough for display at Rhug.
Welcome to the course. Authors Collection.
The clubhouse. Authors Collection.
On the first tee, green centre middle. Authors Collection.
Approach to the ninth green. Authors Collection.