Open Search -

Like us on Facebook


Course Atlas -

Course Atlas


Please consider supporting our efforts.

Amount: 


Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. (1910 - 2015)  

The club was founded in 1910.

The original course was on Western Park just off Glenfield Road. The club moved to a new course on Scudamore Road in the early 1950s were it remained  until closure.

Alderman J Loseby was the leading character in the formation of the club. The Western Park Municipal Golf Course was opened on 1 May 1910 by the Mayor, Alderman Geo Chitham.

George Smith, the Leicestershire professional, laid out the initial nine-hole course over 45 acres. The course was proving very popular with the locals and it was not long before a further 37 acres were acquired and the course was extended to eighteen-holes. The new course was opened on April 29th 1911, Alderman W W Vincent hitting the opening shot.

Result of the July 1911 monthly medal competition; E H Wand, 103-24-79; W Borman, 106-22-84; A H Foxon, 95-5-85; E W Windross, 100-15-85; A T Booth, 104-16-88; R R Thacker, 110-20-90.

Following is the result of the September 1911 medal; A W B Grinwade, 87-18-69; F C Bayliss, 99-24-75; B J Liddiard, 99-22-77; H A Welch, 105-24-81; C A Bevan, 109-25-84; W Gunnell, 110-24-86; T Byrne, 114-24-90.   

Result of the October 1911 medal; J D Preston, 94-22-72; R R Thacker, 96-20-76; W O'Neill, 102-34-78; W H Swingler, 95-16-79; A H Foxon, 87-5-82; W Borman, 106-22-84.

Result of the Thursday May medal in 1912; W A Henry, 95-14-79; A H Foxon, 86-7-79; W Gunnell, 100-20-80; H A Welch, 100-20-80; E J Liddiard, 102-20-82; C A Bevan, 102-20-82; C Hoggett, 105-20-85.

Result of a mens foursomes competition played on May Whit-Monday 1913; C K Miles and R R Thacker, 100-17-83; A W B Grinwade and T Jarvis, 99-16-83; A Jarvis and R Wright, 101-17-84; H A Welch and H Kirby, 110-21-89.

Competitions played over Christmas 1913; Christmas Day Bogey, tie between  A W B Grimwade and R R Thacker; Boxing Day Medal - first, H V Culpan; second, T Jarvis; third, A E Charlesworth. Below a match played between teams representing the Captain and Secretary on Saturday 27th.

Captain's Team   Secretary's Team  
A E Charlesworth 1 A W B Grimwade 0
F C Shardlow 0 T Jarvis 1
F G Hollis 0 E R O Davis 1
W P Crossman 1 C E Beale 0
E Windross 1 C C Hoggett 0
F F Palmer (halved) 0 W O'Neill (halved) 0
G E Pochin 0 R C D Cooke 1
G Woodier 1 H W Eabry 0
G Reev  0 F Float 1
  4   4

The 1914 April Saturday medal finished in a tie between S A Allen and T Jarvis.

Result of the 1914 July Saturday medal; J Wooley, 93-22-71; W P Crossman, 91-16-75; P K Branson, 100-24-76; P G Hollis, 93-15-78; Guy C Cooke, 91-12-79; T Jarvis, 90-11-79; HE Jackson, 103-22-81; B Wells, 105-24-81.    

The club was in a prosperous situation prior to WW1. The first secretary was E J Liddiard who was followed by A W B Grinwade and then F Float, the latter continuing until the Great War called a halt to golf at Western Park in 1917. Most of the course was then ploughed up to aid the war effort. 

After a couple of years the Parks Committee were persuaded by a group led by keen golfer W Devereaux to resume and a temporary nine-hole course was established. An extension of the course to 18-holes soon followed and was opened in October 1921. 

In the 1920s the professional was Arthur Brooks who was Open Champion of New Zealand in 1923/4.

In 1927 the new clubhouse was opened. 

Prize presentation in November 1931.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Report on prize presentation in November 1931.

Leicester Daily Mercury Friday 13 November 1931. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The following is from the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Western park Municipal Golf Links; Membership of 250; hon. secretary - Albert Shenton, 103 Kirby Road, Leicester; professional George Bowser, who held the course record of 68; Eighteen-holes; visitors fees, 1s/6d per round, 2s/6d a day. No Sunday play.

In August 1939 the Leicester Daily Mercury published the article below on the history of the club.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Article from the Leicester Daily Mercury in August 1939.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. The clubhouse in the 1920s.

Above article from the Leicester Daily Mercury Wednesday 2 August 1939. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

The following is from the 1933 Golfer's Handbook; Western park Municipal Golf Links; Membership of 250; hon. secretary - Albert Shenton, 103 Kirby Road, Leicester; professional George Bowser, who held the course record of 68; Eighteen-holes; visitors fees, 1s/6d per round, 2s/6d a day. No Sunday play. 

In 1939 Councilor John Minton was president, a post he had held for many years, Albert Shenton had been secretary for 14 years. Mr J Ainger was treasurer, and J A Hill was captain for the year. The ladies' section secretary was Mrs H C Bone and the captain Mrs J Taylor. The course measured 5,395 yards with a bogey score of 70 (34 out and 36 home.) Frank Weston was the professional in the 1920s. George Edward Bowser took over from  Frank Weston at Western Park in circa 1927. Bowser was formally at the old Ashby Golf Club pre WW1, and then Willesley Park in 1920 where he helped with the construction of the new course.

A sign of the times when it was reported in December 1939 that the Western Park Golf Club, like other sporting organisations, had to forego their annual dinner. Nevertheless, it was found possible to hold a dance for the purpose of presenting the trophies won during the season. About 250 people spent an enjoyable evening at the Bell Hotel. Councillor J Minto presented the following trophies; President and vice-president's trophy, N J Wignall; Noble Cup (gents), N J Wignall; Curtis and Horspool Cup, J Hargreaves; Tarratt Cups, Eric Taylor and E King; Hartopp Cup, J Hargreaves; Loseby Scratch Cup, A V Roberts; Noble Cup (ladies), Mrs H C Bone; Ladies' Foursomes Trophy, Mrs J P Taylor and Mrs A V Howard.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Picture from the annual dance in December 1939.presentation in November 1950.

Leicester Daily Mercury Friday 15 December 1939. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Location of the earlier course on the 1944 Ordnance Survey Map.

Location of the earlier course at the time of WW2. Ordnance Survey Map Revised 1938 © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1944}

 

At the time of WW2 the secretary was A G Griffin, 9 Dixon Drive, Leicester, and the professional, J Loach. It was listed as a 14-hole course, with a membership of 300. Visitors' fees were, 1s/6d a round, 2/6 a day. Sunday play was not allowed.

Presentation of the president's trophy in November 1950.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Prize presentation in November 1950.

Leicester Daily Mercury Friday 1 December 1950. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

From the Leicester Evening Mail Wednesday 7 November 1951; “Leicester’s new golf course nearly ready – When members of Western Park Golf Club attend their annual meeting tomorrow night, the will hear the news they have been patiently waiting for many months. The new course at Kirby Frith is almost ready for occupation.

Kirby Frith, which is claimed to be one of the finest municipal in the Midlands, still has a number of finishing touches to be made, but the first nine-holes are ready for use and hard work on the remaining nine is well under way. The club will not have a new clubhouse to start with, but some buildings already on the course are being converted into dining-rooms and offices. When all the work is complete the new course will cover a distance of 6,750 yard, and will provide a stern test for both length and accuracy.

At first sight Kirby is apt to appear disappointing but after the first three holes it takes on a complete transformation, with the undulating fairways winding through oaks, elms and conifers while belts of gorse abound, and the scene is completed with a background of hills covered in heather.

The course has two short holes, the third and sixteenth, each 160 yards long, but the second hole stretches over 510 yards for a bogey 5. Distances of the 18-holes are; Hole One, 380 yards; Two, 510; Third, 160; Fourth, 370; Fifth, 340; Sixth, 200; Seventh, 460; Eighth, 430; Ninth, 400; Tenth, 380; Eleventh, 410; Twelfth, 210; Thirteenth, 450; Fourteenth, 480; Fifteenth, 460; Sixteenth, 160; Seventeenth, 460; Eighteenth, 430.”

The following officers were elected at the annual general meeting in November 1951; President, J A Hill; captain, J L White; vice-captain and hon. secretary, K N Hill; treasurer, H C Bone; match and competition secretary, J M Baines; ladies' captain, Mrs W R Preston; vice-captain, Mrs B C Jennings; secretary, Mrs W G Whitmore.

Picture of the opening of the new course in June 1952.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Picture of the opening of the new course in June 1952.

Leicester Evening Mail Monday 9 June 1952. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

In the mid 1950s it was an 18-hole course with a SSS of 72. The secretary was K N Hill, 3 Stafford Leys, Kirby Muxloe, the professional was J Loach, and the green-keeper, R Corrie. Membership of 240. Visitors' fees, 2s/6d a round, 3/6 a day (Sunday, 3/6 a round, 5/- a day.)

During the 1960s the secretary was still K N Hill. The professional/green-keeper was S C Long, who also held the course record of 71. The 18-holes measured 6,727 yards with a SSS of 73. Visitors' fees, 3/6 a round, 5/- a day (Sunday, 5/- a round and 7/6 a day.)

By 1975 membership had risen to 500. The secretary was A E Warren, and the professional S C Long. The professional course record was held by Hugh Boyle, 68. Green fees were, 33p (44p).

In the 1980s the secretary and professional were as 1975. Membership was 470. Amateur course record, P J Allen 68. Fees, £2.05 (£2.80).

In the early 1990s the professional was B N Whipham. The 18-hole course measured 6,532 yards with a SSS of 71. Amateur course record, D E Gibson 68. Green fees, £4.50 (£5.50). In 1998 the professional was David Butler. The 18-hole course of 6,518 yards SSS 70 was designed by F W Hawtree. Greeen fees, £7.50 (£9).

 

Western Golf Course, Leicester. Course scorecard.

 

Western Golf Course, Leicester. Course scorecard.

 

Western Golf Course, Leicester. Course scorecard, plan and local rules.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. The Scorecard.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. The Course Planner.

 

Western Golf Course, Leicester. Course scorecard, plan and local rules.

 

Western Golf Course, Leicester. Course scorecard, local rules.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Course scorecard local rules.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Course scorecard.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. Approach to the first hole.

The approach to the first hole.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. The fifteenth green.

The fifteenth green.

 

Western Park Golf Club, Leicester. The Eighteenth Hole.

The eighteenth hole at Western Park.

 

The club was due to close at the end of October 2015. "Come and play it before it’s too late." was the plea.

After considering many options, Leicester City Council decided that Western Park Golf Course would be closed with investment being used to improve and continue running the larger golf facility at Humberstone Heights. "On balance, having considered all the available evidence, it has been decided that this approach offers the best basis for Leicester City Council to provide and maintain sustainable high quality golfing facilities in the City."

Despite a determined campaign to save the club the final round of golf was played on the course on 31 October 2015.