Fishguard and Goodwick Golf Club, Pembrokeshire. (1921 - 1964)
In a press report in May 1914 a mention was made to Fishguard Golf Club who sent a wreath on the death of a local clergyman.
If anyone has any information on this earlier club please get in touch via the "Contact Us" facility on the website homepage.
From the Western Mail Monday 17 January 1921 - "FISHGUARD CLUB'S PROSPECTS - Captain Richard Sharp presiding at a meeting of the Fishguard and Goodwick Golf Club, at the town hall, intimated that the Great Western Rail Company was prepared to give additional support to the club to that already promised. The hon. treasurer (Mr D L Williams) reported that nearly £300 in shares had been subscribed, and more were promised. After discussion, it was unanimously decided to form the club into a limited liability company. Stanley Davies, formerly professional at Llangammarch Wells was appointed to lay out the course, which will be ready for the holiday season. The club has enrolled over 100 members to date."
Below is a further report on the new course in 1921.
Opening of the golf course in July 1921.
The opening ceremony of the original Fishguard & Goodwick Golf Club took place on Saturday 30 July 1921, and was performed by Lady Jones of Pentower, Fishguard, who was the wife of Sir Evan Jones (Bart). Pentower House still stands today. The 2000 yard course was situated in Cwmbrandy, on the southern slopes of the bay, overlooking the harbour and Irish Channel. (The valley may have derived its name as a smuggling route for contraband from the coast to the hinterland). During the 1920s there was a proposal to extend the course to eighteen holes but this never materialised. The local hotel was the Fishguard Bay, which at the time offered the following impressive amenities: “lift to all rooms, centrally heated, luxury furnished, billiards, library, croquet, hard tennis court, sub tropical gardens and within 1mile of the new Fishguard Golf Links”. The railway station at Fishguard & Goodwick (GWR) was about 1 mile away.
Thanks to G B Evans, who, as a child, lived in Park House which was on the earlier golf course at Cwmbrandy. He caddied there, and also managed to play the course once or twice, when no-one was looking!
Mr Evans also provided information that the club moved to a course Scleddau. It appears on maps on Tre-groes Moor from 1948 until the mid 1970s.
Advert for the Fishguard Bay Hotel - mentions Golf at Cwmbrandy.
Secretary
1920/30s Dr J Howard and T O Jenkins (joint)
1931/40 Cliff W Richards, 9 Vergam Terrace, Fishguard.
1947 J J Owen, 10 West Street, Fishguard.
1951 F Fairclough, 50 Vergam Terrace, Fishguard
Professional/greenkeeper
1920/30s S Davies (p)
1930/33 A Thomas (p)
1933/37 Ernest L Phillips (p)
1937/40 W H Williams (p)
1947/51 T O Williams (g)
1955 T J Devonald (g)
During the 1920s and early 1930s the club had a membership of 110. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day (1/6d from 1927) and 10/6d a week (7/6d from 1927).
Competition result from October 1926.
Below is a picture of Capt. Richard Sharp, the president of the golf club.
From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Fishguard and Goodwick Golf Club; Membership, 118; Hon. secretary - T O Jenkins, Barclay's Bank House, Fishguard; Professional, S S Davies; Green-keeper, T Jenkins; Nine-holes; Visitors, 1s/6d a day, 7s/6d a week; No Sunday play.
Competition results from August 1928.
The silver spoon below was awarded to the club professional S S Davies for a hole-in-one in May 1929.
From 1931 to 1940 membership was about 120 and visitors’ fees were 1/6d a day and 7/6d a week.
A proposed new golf course in November 1933.
In December 1933 Ernest L Phillips, Lewis Street, Mountain Ash, was appointed professional of the club. Phillips who constructed the new Fishguard course. learned his game at the Aberdare Valley Golf Club, where he had been assistant for several years.
Ladies' Captain in 1936.
Report on Cliff Richards former captain and hon. secretary in January 1938.
In 1947 the par was 34 and membership stood at 90.
In 1951 the SSS and Par were 74. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day and 10/- a week. By 1955 the SSS and Par were 70.
In the club’s last year in 1964, the secretary was F Fairclough, 50 Vergam Terrace, Fishguard. The greenkeeper was T J Devonald. The 9-hole course had a SSS and Par of 70 and a membership of 85.
The Google Map below pinpoints the location of the former course on Tregroes Moor.