Open Search -

Like us on Facebook


Course Atlas -

Course Atlas


Please consider supporting our efforts.

Amount: 


Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. (1896 - WW2)

The hotel had its own nine hole private course prior to WW1.

The first mention was in August 1896 when it was reported that the Shap Well Hotel had added an additional attraction, a golf course. The course was laid out by Mr Kirkaldy, Silloth, the well known expert, and Mr W H Parkin jun., Lowther, who had carefully superintended the carrying out of the work. The nine-hole course covered some of the roughest ground on the common. Starting from a point about 100 yards from the hotel gate, the direction is up the hill and across the road to the north west, then over some wet land and again across the road to the south, until the summit is reached at about the fifth green. Behind a plantation the track leads downwards until the eighth hole, the green of which overlooked the finishing green, just above Wasdale Bank, and about 150 yards from the hotel. 

It had been hoped that the Earl and Countess of Lonsdale would attend the opening of the course on July 30th, unfortunately they had been delayed in London. There was a good attendance at the formal opening with visitors from all over Cumbria. A competition was played and the first couple to tee off were Charles Todd, ex-captain of the Carlisle and Silloth Golf Club, and the Rev. T B Tylecote, rector of Lowther, they completed the first nine-holes in ninety minutes. The rector was only able to play one round (nine-holes.) Result of the competition; C Todd, 117; W H Parkin jun., 148; Rev. W M Keys-Wells, 153; R Thompson, 188; E H Keed, 205; W Stubbs, 235; Rev. T B Tylecote, 82 (nine-holes.) After tea the handsome silver cup, which cost eleven guineas, was placed on a table in front of the hotel. It bore the following inscription "Shap Wells Golf Links Challenge Cup, won by Charles Todd, July 30th 1896." 

The proprietor in 1910 was J H Whiteside, MD, CM. The exact location and layout of this later course has yet to be found. R J Clarke took over in 1912. 

The course went into abeyance at the time of WW1.

The club was re-established in 1921 with a nine-hole course laid out on the Lowther Estate by Joe Anderson the well known Perthshire professional from the Braemar Golf Club. Joe’s daughter was the famous Scottish lady golfer Jessie Valentine.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Joe Anderson.

The above picture is of Joe Anderson, course designer, and his daughter, the famous Jessie Valentine. Image is from the collection of S W Simpson, Shap Wells Hotel.

 

Below a report on the opening of the new course in May 1922.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the opening of the course in May 1922.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the opening of the course in May 1922.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the opening of the course in May 1922.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the opening of the course in May 1922.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Report on the opening of the course in May 1922.

Penrith Observer Tuesday 23rd May 1922.

 

The nine-hole moorland course became a popular attraction for hotel guests. Visitors to the area were also welcome.

During the 1930s green fees were 2/- a day, 7/6 a week with the additional attraction of Sunday play. The railway station at Shap was four miles away. Many local golfers also played on the course and it’s possible that competitions were arranged. As well as golf tennis became a popular pastime. The hotel offered an afternoon’s golf or tennis, with afternoon tea, for 2/6 inclusive.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Party of golfers.

A party of unknown golfers at Shap Wells in the 1930s probably competing for the trophy displayed on the table. Image from the collection of S W Simpson, Shap Wells Hotel.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Second hole.

Above is the second hole with the Birkbeck forming a water hazard behind the green. Interesting to note the white posts at the back of the green which supported netting to prevent the ball from rolling in the hazard. Image from the collection of S W Simpson, Shap Wells Hotel.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. Fourth hole.

A view which featured in the 1925 hotel brochure. It shows the footbridge between the fourth tee and green. Image from the collection of S W Simpson, Shap Wells Hotel.

 

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. The ninth green.

Another view featured in the 1925 hotel brochure showing the ninth green with the hotel in the background. Image from the collection of S W Simpson, Shap Wells Hotel.

 

At the onset of WW2 part of the course was requisitioned with the area around the first tee and ninth green being used as a POW garden. The rest of the course fell into decline and was used as farmland.

There were attempts to re-establish the course following the war but due to the excessive cost of the laying out of a course these plans never materialised. 

Grateful thanks to Stephen Simpson of the Shap Wells Hotel for providing the above images and for the information regarding the Shap Wells course. 

  

Shap Wells Golf Club, Cumbria. The Hotel from the golf course.

Shap Wells looking from the course. Postcard by Valentine’s “Carbotype” Series 86244.