West Dorset Golf Club, West Bay, Bridport. (1891 - 1911)
Founded in 1891. The original course was situated on West Cliff at West Bay. The club moved to its present site at North Cliff in 1911.
The following report appeared in the Western Gazette on Friday 19 June 1891. "The West Dorset Club, inaugurated by Mr J P F Gundry, is now in a flourishing state, and Mr F Savage, of the West Bay Hotel, has so well acted as groundsman that the links may be said to be amongst the best in England. The course is over the west cliffs, and many now while away a pleasant hour by watching the practice of the members."
The report below is from June 1892. Infuriating that the picture mentioned in the text didn't appear in the report.
Below is the result of a match played on the links at Upwey against Weymouth and Dorchester Golf Club in August 1893.
West Dorset Golf Club | Weymouth and Dorchester Golf Club | ||
F G Templer | 5 | H Fraser | 0 |
F A Stephens | 3 | M Portman | 0 |
J T Stephens | 0 | Col. Tweedle | 0 |
J A Stephens | 4 | B Bowden | 0 |
J Gundry | 2 | R S Eaton | 0 |
A N Stephens | 0 | Major Kentish | 4 |
14 | 4 |
A curious happening during the above match. "One of the West Dorset players hit a ball from a considerable distance into the pocket of a waterproof hanging over some rials, but was fortunate to hit it out with his niblick at the first attempt without injuring the coat."
Below another match against Weymouth and Dorchester played in May 1894.
Description of the course from June 1894.
Result of a nine-hole competition played on Saturday 22nd December 1894; E Seward, 65; J Cafe, 67; A seward, 67; J Kiely, 75; H Gale, 81.
Below is the result of a match played at Seaton against Axe Bridge Golf Club in June 1895.
Axe Bridge Golf Club | West Dorset Golf Club | ||
Rev. Marwood Elton | 0 | G M Archdale | 11 |
A V Thyrk | 1 | J Gundry | 0 |
A W Oakley | 3 | Rev. St. J Methuen | 0 |
Rev. R Brackenbury | 2 | J T Stephens | 0 |
T W Mayo | 0 | F B L Maunsell | 4 |
R H C Baker | 6 | Rev F W Crick | 0 |
12 | 15 |
Scores in the August 1895 monthly medal; F A Stephens, 98-13-85; Rev G Wickham, 106-19-87; A W Temple, 117-23-94; J Escombe, 119-21-98; R Tucker, 119-20-99. Two no returns.
F B L Maunsay won the March 1896 medal.
Result from the Summer Meeting in 1896; J Gundry, 87-6-81; H Manley, 98-16-82; F Marshall, 106-18-88; F A Stephens, 95-6-89; H Symonds, 115-25-90; T W Marshall, 109-18-91; C M F Luttrell, 106-12-94; Rev J L Templer, 107-12-95; J A Stevens, 120-24-06; F J Clark, 113-16-97; J T Stevens, 116-14-102; Rev F W Crick, 119-16-103. Mixed Foursomes (nine holes); Mrs Prior & Rev J L Templer, 55-5-50; Miss Edith Stephens & J T Stevens, 61-6-55; Mrs A N Stephens & E J Bevan, 70-10-60; Miss Maunsell & F A Stephens, 60 scratch; Mrs Symonds & H Manley, 61 scratch; Mrs Clibborn & F J Clark, 71-10-61; Mrs J L Templer & Rev St J Methuen, 71-9-62; Miss Elfrida Stevens & F B L Maunsell, 69-6-63; Mr & Mrs Temple, 79-14-65; Mrs Walker & H Symonds, 72-6-66; Mr & Mrs Houlbrook, 82-10-72; Miss Crick & Rev F W Crick, 84-11-73; Miss Warburton & J A Stephens, 100-14-86.
Result of a match played at Lyme Regis in June 1898.
Lyme Regis Golf Club | West Dorset Golf Club | ||
T B Pares | 0 | J Gundry | 7 |
T B Blathwayt | 2 | E W Hirst | 0 |
R Wills | 2 | F E L Maunsell | 0 |
W M Wynch | 0 | Rev J Burton | 4 |
H J Eliot | 0 | J T Stephens | 3 |
Rev E Salmon | 12 | Rev F W Crick | 0 |
16 | 14 |
In the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook the secretary was F B L Maunsell, captain, J T Stephens; professional, J Gerrard; professional record, E Foord 80; amateur record, J Grundy 76; Membership of 50. "The course extends over 60 acres of finely turfed cliff slopes. The hazards consist of whin bushes, old quarry pits, cart tracks, rushes and stone walls."
Result of the September 1909 monthly medal; E J Rees Mogg, 84-11-73; Gordon W Dabell, 88-12-76; F C Bond, 85-6-79; T W Wilson, 88-9-79; W B Beach, 101-21-80; G D Nantes, 88-7-81.
In March 1911 the club professional Ernest Ham, scored 36 on the nine-hole coures; 4,4,5,5,3,3,4,4,4, this score was two under bogey.
Result of a match against Yeovil and South Somerset Golf Club in May 1911.
The first competition on the new course took place in August 1912.