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Sunderland Golf Club, Pallion Course, Durham. (1913 - 1940)

It was reported in January 1913 that the newly formed Sunderland Golf Club had a membership of about 80 gentlemen and 25 ladies. Temporary greens had been provided and arrangements had been made for the laying out of the greens on a course. 

Report on the new course at Pallion in March 1913

 

Sunderland Golf Club, Pallion Course. Report on the course in March 1913.

Newcastle Daily Chronicle Friday 7 March 1913. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Report on the opening of the golf course in September 1913.

 

Sundeland Golf Club, Pallion. Report on the opening of the course in September 1913.

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette Friday 19 September 1913. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

The first captain, and one of the founders of the club, was Harry Palliser.

It was announced in November 1913 that Michael Moran was to be the new professional at Sunderland. He had previously been professional at the Royal Dublin Golf Club.

It was reported in March 1914 that James Scarth, the former Sunderland Pallion Professional, was to take up a new appointment at the Doncaster Golf Club. He had been at the Pallion course for just over a year.

Result of a match played on the Pallion Course against East Boldon Golf Club in June 1914.

Sunderland Golf Club   East Boldon Golf Club  
? Waterhouse 1 ? Simpson 0
? Henderson 1 ? Spain 0
? Pratt 1 ? Wishart 0
? Sutcliffe 1 ? Hines 0
? Palliser 1 ? Jeffries 0
? Arthur 1 ? Gaudie 0
? Saddler 1 ? Miller 0
J T Foster, jun. 1 ? Blackburn 0
  8   0

Report on the annual meeting in February 1915.

 

Sunderland Golf Club, Pallion Course. Report on the annual meeting in February 1915.

Sunderland Daily Echo and Shipping Gazette Friday 12 February 1915. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

It was reported in June 1915 that Lance-Cpl. Frank Blair-Allen, former secretary at Sunderland Golf Club, had been killed in action near Hill 60. 

Ordnance Survey Map below shows the Sunderland Golf Course at the time of WW1.

 

Sunderland (Pallion) Golf Club, Pallion Course. O.S. Map from the time of WW1 showing the golf course.

O.S. Map Revised 1913 to 1914; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1921}.

 

By the early 1920s the Pallion Golf Club was again appearing. The secretary was Geo W Pattison, 20 Grindon Terrace, Sunderland  the professional was C A Thompson and the green-keeper J Featherstone. A 9-hole course with a  membership of 230. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, weekend and bank holiday 5/-, 10/- a week, 15/- a fortnight and 25/- a month. The station at Pallion was ¼ mile away. 

At the annual meeting in February 1922 Ernest Doxford resigned as president because he was leaving the area. W H Garbert was elected his successor. The annual report showed that the club was in a sound financial situation. 

By 1929 membership at the Pallion club had risen to 250 and the course had a S.S.S of 72. Visitors’ fees were now 1/6 a day, 2/6 Saturdays, 7/6 a week, 12/6 a fortnight, £1 a month. Local hotel was the Palatine.

Result of a ladies against gentlemen competition played on the Pallion course in April 1929.

Sunderland  Lady Members   Sunderland Gent's Members  
Mrs Thompson 0 A Bryant 1
Mrs Charlton 1 R L Porter 0
Mrs Porter  0 W Maltby 1
Mrs McCulloch 1 F Jackson 0
Mrs Ayre 0 F Herbert 0
Mrs Alderson 1 W F Cross 0
Miss P Shield 1 R W Hawes 0
Miss Johnson 0 J Weeks 1
Miss Jolly 0 A F Cross 1
Miss N Shields 0 Mr Edmonson 1
Mrs Herbert 0 R Lowery 0
  4   5

 

Sunderland (Pallion) Golf Club, Pallion Course. Result of a match played in May 1930.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle Friday 30 May 1930. Image © Reach plc.

 

The club were advertising for members through the Sunderland Daily Echo in March 1934. Applications were to be made to the secretary J B Richardson, 5 Greta Terrace. Subscriptions were; Gentlemen, £3/2s/6d; Ladies, £1/17/6. There was no entry fee. 

The death occurred in July 1936 of Mr Harry Palliser one of the founders and first captain of the Pallion Golf Club.

The twenty-fourth annual general meeting was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Laura Street, on Tuesday 23rd February 1937, Mr M T Brydon, Chairman, presided. The annual report was presented by the secretary, J B Richardson. It showed a balance in hand after another successful year. Miss N Kelly presented the trophies to the prize winners. The following officers were elected; President, W H Garbert; vice-presidents – Dr W K Russell, J T Alderson, S Brown, W J Blythe, W L Robertshaw and H L Taylor; chairman, W A Carr; secretary and treasurer, J B Richardson, 6 Abingdon Street; captain, N Hawes; vice-captain, M T Brydon; committee – A N Adamason, J W Cook, W Frost, W J Hunter, F Jackson, G W Pattison, T Ayre, J Shaw, J Lawson, T H Thompson and G Clark; auditor, A T Hooker.

Below is the result of a foursome match played at Seaham Harbour Golf Club on Wednesday 19 May 1937.  

Seaham Harbour Golf Club   Pallion Golf Club  
A Harrison & J A B Waugh 1 R Bainbridge & W McKay 0
J Cummings & N Atkins 1 J B Little & R Cunningham 0
A J Parker & R J Wilson 1 G Hudson & G A Shaw 0
J Goodwin & T Urwin 1 R L Corbett & A Thasker 0
J Skilbeck & A Richardson 0 J Brown & T S Ballard 1
  4   1

While playing the Sunderland Golf Club’s course at Pallion on Wednesday 20 October 1937 Mr R Dirkin, of Houghton-le-Spring, holed in one at the 117 yard seventh hole.

The following officials were appointed in February 1940; President, W H Garbert; vice presidents - Dr. W K Russell, S Brown, W L Blyth, W L Robertshaw, H L Taylor; chairman, G W Pattison; secretary and treasurer - J B Richardson, 37 Farnham Terrace; captain, J E Fenwick; vice-captain, G T Clark.

In Pallion’s last appearance in 1940 the secretary was J B Richardson, 37 Farnham Terrace, Sunderandand. The professional and green-keeper was C A Thompson who also held the course record of 64. The 9-hole course had a SSS of 71 and a Par of 73 and a membership of 220. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 2/6 on Sunday.

Pallion Golf Club, Sunderland. Location of the former golf course.

Location of the Pallion course.

Grid reference NZ36850,57790, co-ordinates 436850,557790.