Tredegar Park Golf Club, Bassaleg Road, Newport. (1923 - 1998)
The club moved to Tredegar Park from Ladyhill Golf Club (now defunct), Chepstow Road, in 1923. Viscount Tredegar who had accepted the Presidency had kindly allowed the club to use part of the Deer Park on the estate for the eighteen-hole course. The club had gained the services of Mr Woadden, formerly of Southerndown Golf Club, as green-keeper. He had worked wonders with the greens in the short time he had been there.
The original layout measuring 5,484 yards was designed by Willie Fernie from the Glamorganshire Golf Club. A hilly course with splendid views and good soil and drainage.
Below the opening of Tredegar Park Golf Club by Lord Tredegar in May 1923.
Matches played in May 1923.
Competition and match result from October 1923.
It was reported in October 1923 that improvements were to be made to the course which would include increasing the length to 5,960 yards. This would principally done by putting back the tees on some holes but would also involve the reconstruction of several holes and also adding additional bunkers. The eighteenth would be greatly improved by making it a dog-leg measuring 475 yards.
Result of a match against Newport played in July 1925.
Ladies' bogey competition played in May 1927; Miss Olive Jones and Miss Griffiths Bowns, 2up; Mrs Audley Evans, all square; Miss M Martin and Mrs Gamson, 2down; Miss L Howell, 3down; Mrs Walter Phillips, Miss C Freeguard, Mrs Freeguard, 4down.
Result of the June 1927 bogey competition; First Division - Dr. Rufus Thomas, 2up; A W Morris and R B Bennett, 1down; H F Hughes, A J Bunce and Gus Jones, 2down; L W Greenland and E Poynton, 4down; Second Division - S G Poynton and H L Davies 3down; Dick Evans and J Groves, 4down.
Result of the December 1928 monthly medal; Senior Division - J Groves, 83-11-72; W H Biddle, 84-12-72; A W Morris, 76-3-73; Jack Evans, 83-8-75; A J Morris, 85-10-75; A H Friend, 87-12-75; Junior Division - J Matthews, 86-14-72; G C Gamson, 89-15-74; O H Cox, 90-16-74; H J Herbert, 92-18-74; A D Givons, 89-14-75; J S Davies, 96-20-76; C J N Jesseman, 91-14-77; G N Wade, 93-16-77; H N Hodge, 96-19-77.
The clubhouse was burned down in 1929 but was rebuilt with all mod cons.
Result of match against the Glamorganshire club played in April 1931.
Result of the December 1931 medal; A W Morris, 76-2-74; L N Harper, 82-8-74; B Duckham, 86-12-74; B G Wiggett, 88-14-74; W J Harris, 89-15-74; F Turner, 91-17-74.
In the final for the club championship in August 1932 G B Woods defeated Lewis Thomas (holder) by 2 and 1.
Tredegar Park Golf Club - Picture of the Jubilee Cup with the applied gold Jubilee medal.
In early 1936 further land on the Deer Park became available and James Braid was called in to lay out the new course. There were seven par threes, seven par 4s and four par 5s.
Personalities on the above picture from top row left to right – (1) W H James, H W King (chairman); (2) C H Faircloth (secretary), H. de C. Tilney (captain). Middle row - (3) V G N Jesseman (ex-chairman); (4) Bryan Jones; (5) J A Crutchley; (6) A J Morris (committee). Bottom row – (7) G Gainey (professional), J J Ashton; (8) A W James; (9) H R Williams; (10) R T Lewis.
Report on Gus Gainey, Tredegar Park professional, February 1938.
Below is the result of a match played against Monmouth Golf Club at Tredegar Park in May 1938.
Tredegar Park Golf Club | Monmouth Golf Club | ||
A W Morris | 1 | T Arnott | 0 |
K Cooper | 1 | L I Arnott | 0 |
M Roberts (half) | 0 | D E Pope (half) | 0 |
W J Onions | 1 | D A Smith | 0 |
J L Banbury | 1 | G N Coles | 0 |
F Davies | 1 | Major Appleby | 0 |
W J Owen | 1 | E Jarvis | 0 |
R Morris | 1 | J T Vizard | 0 |
7 | 0 |
The course was just three minutes from Bassaleg station and membership was flourishing towards the end of the 1930s.
Following WW2 the secretary was C H Faircloth; professional, A S Gainey; records - amateur, R B Bennett 70; professional, P Alliss, 70; 18-holes with a Par of 72 and SSS of 73; Visitors' fees - 2/6 a day, 3/- at weekend, 3/6 bank holidays; club membership of 450.
In the mid 1950s and early 1960s the secretary was A Jones; professional, L Hodson; green-keeper, B Nicholas; records - amateur, W Wright, 68; professional P Alliss, 70; par and SSS 69; Membership 410; Visitors' - 5/- a day, 3/6 a round; club membership of 410.
In the mid 1960s the secretary was W G Wall; professional, S Warren-Green; green-keeper, M Wellens; records - amateur, W I Tucker, 65; professional, P Alliss, 70; visitors' fees, 7/6 a day, 5/- a round; club membership of 460.
In 1965 the M4 motorway was built claiming greens 1,2 and 5, and tees 3 and 6 resulting in various modifications to the course. The club reluctantly accepted the changes, and the added noise from the motorway.
In the early 1970s the secretary was A T P Vokes; professional, Merfyn L Morgan; course measured 6,233 yards, SSS 70; course records - amateur, D Adams, 67; professional, D Ridley, 69; visitors' fees 75p (£1.50)
Early 1980s secretary was A A Skinner; professional, Merfyn L Morgan; course measured, 6,044 yards, SSS 70; amateur course record, A Disley, 68; visitors' fees, £5; club membership of 720.
In the later 1980s and 90s the secretary was still A A Skinner and the professional M L Morgan; course measured 6,071 yards with a SSS of 70;amateur course record W G Thomas, 68 (1980s), A Wesson, 67 (1990s); visitors' fees, £9 (1980s), £15 (1990s); club membership of 800.
In the late 1990s there were problems with the renewal of the lease and the last round was played on the 30th September 1998. The Braid course was lost forever.
The course can be seen on the Britain From Above links below.
http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/wpw055371?search=golf&ref=225
http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/wpw055370?search=golf&ref=226
http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/image/wpw055369?search=golf&ref=227
The club eventually moved to a new course at Parc y Brain Road, Rogerstone, which opened on the 1st October 1999.