Brandhall Golf Club, Sandwell. (1906

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Brandhall Golf Club, Sandwell. (1906 – 2020)

Founded in 1906.

It was often spelt Brand Hall Golf Club - also Brand Hill in 1935.

In 1915 H S Colt redeveloped the course, following WW1 he paid a further visit to reconstruct the course.

The course was taken over and run by the council as a municipal course in April 1944.

In October 2019 the council announced plans to shut the club/course and develop the land for housing. The plans led to protests from golfers and local residents.

It was reported on 28 May 2020 that the club’s fate was confirmed as the closure plan was backed despite protests.

Report from the Birmingham Mail Friday 30 March 1906 – “A well-attended meeting in connection with the newly-formed Brand Hall Golf Club was held last night. The committee has secured an excellent nine-hole course extending over 40 acres on the Brand Hall estate, Warley, at a rental of £50. It was decided that the formal opening of the club should take place on Saturday next by a medal competition. The membership is now 100; 70 gentlemen and 30 ladies.”

Report on the opening of the course on Saturday 31 March 1906.

It was reported in April 1906 that W Godfrey, green-keeper at Kings Norton Golf Club, had been appointed professional at Brand Hall.

Result of the August 1906 monthly medal; S J Butler, 92-12-80; S J Barns, 104-23-81; A E Edwards, 92-8-84; S White, jnr., 112-27-85. The monthly bogey resulted in a tie between S J Bulls and H G Edwards, one down. Playing in a four ball A E Edwards created a record for the nine-holes; 5, 3, 4, 5, 5, 4,4,3,3 = 36.

In October 1906 H S Fellows, captain, offered a prize to the member winning the most times in a monthly medal and bogey competitions. J F Leslie, 91-18-73, won the September medal.

A smoking Concert was held at the Blue Gates Hotel, Smethwick, in December 1906, the captain, A E A Edwards officiated. Mr Strafford, secretary, announced that club membership had reached 150 (including 50 ladies; they had a good course; a great clubhouse and a good professional and green-keeper.

Result of the March 1907 medal; T E Grant, 98-18-80; J A L Pierce, 99-16-83; S J Butler, 95-11-84; H G Edwards, 92-7-85; J F Leslie, 99-10-89; G H Strafford, 110-18-92.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1907.

The course is extended in February 1909.

The following officers were elected at the annual meeting in March 1909; President, J Fellows; captain, A E A Edwards; treasurers, H S Fellows and A A Fellows; secretary, G H Strafford; committee – A S Astbury, H G Edwards, G W Fellows, F L Litherland, C F Monk, N G Rigby, G B Worrall and Dr. Peirce.

Opening of the full course in October 1910.

Result of the Grafton prize played in November 1911; C W Wheeler (10) 2 up; J Field (18) all square; F Litherland (6), G W Wright (7), T E Grant (7), S Smith (9) all 2 down; A Fieldhouse (14), F H Jones (15), A R Gilbert (18), A E A Edwards (7) all 3 down.

Match results from July 1913.

Result of the Final Medal (36-holes) played in March 1914; B H Fitter, 185-22-163; S Smith, 174-8-166; W Horton, 180-14-166; S J Butler, 171-4-167; W Field, 187-20-167; E A Phillips, 199-32-167; J G Williams, 213-40-173; H B Jacks, 206-32-174; R Butler, 213-36-177.

Report on the annual meeting in March 1914.

Competition results from June 1914.

Extract from a report on the annual meeting from the Smethwick Telephone Saturday 3 April 1915 – “The annual meeting of the Brand Hall Golf Club was held at the clubhouse on Saturday. R C Fitter (President) was in the chair, also present were; A E A Edwards, C F Monk, F Litherland, J H Woodhouse, G Gummery, H Edwards, G W Wright, J G Williams, C Wheeler, Mr Norris, H D Northwood, N G Rigby, C Turley, G H Gibson, T Wilkinson, Mr Rees, J E Rowley and G H Stafford (Secretary). In the report for the year ending 28 February it was stated that the membership stood at 158 gentlemen, 82 ladies, 10 juveniles, as against 175 gentlemen, 80 ladies, 21 juveniles, the previous year. This was deemed satisfactory in view of the fact that for seven months the country had been engaged in the most terrible war ever raged.

At an extraordinary general meeting of the club on 10 October to consider steps to be taken on the course redevelopment, the committee’s suggestion that the Colt Course Scheme be proceeded with, as far as possible at once, was approved. Alterations to the course were commenced, and the committee felt quite satisfied that their policy had been a wise one, and in the best interests of the club. Thanks were due to members for the splendid response to the committee’s appeal for donations. The £350 received in this way was spent in preparation and seeding the big arable field, 15 acres in extent, clearing the course of superfluous trees etc., bunkering and in providing eight new greens. Half of the “Colt” course was now laid out, and it was hoped that the date was not far distant when the club would be to complete the course – a course which Mr Colt (admittedly an authority) says will be a good and interesting one to play over.”

The following is an extract from a poignant report from the Smethwick Telephone Saturday 1 April 1916; “Brand Hall Golf Club - Patriotism and Sport - “The defence of one’s country is the prime duty of citizenship - the first duty of freemen” said the chairman (R C Fitter), at the annual meeting last Saturday evening. They would agree that members of the club had responded nobly to that duty, nearly 80 members had made considerable sacrifice, and had joined His Majesty’s Forces. One had been killed in action. Several had received commissions, whilst one had been awarded the Military Cross. Other members had joined the Volunteer Training Corps. He considered it was grand of them; he wished them good luck, and trusted they would have a safe and speedy return to their ordinary vocations. A suggestion had been made that the club should have a Roll of Honour, and that the names of those members who had served with the colours should be inscribed thereon.

The competitions held during the year were not so well supported, but this was to be expected. The principal competitions were the Fellows Cup, Coronation Cup and the Final Medal. Play was commenced on the new course in May last year. The course might be described as only in the making, they have rigidly adhered to their original policy, viz., not to get into debt as regard to the development of the course. As a club they were greatly indebted to Mr F Litherland for the ability and energy he had displayed in the way in which he had carried out the developments on the course. They trusted the time was not far distant when the course would be as schemed by Mr Colt, and they felt assured the club would recognize in some way the part Mr Litherland had played to this effect. Economic measures had been made regarding their staff on the course, and in the house. Thanks were passed on to members who had helped the club by generous gifts. At a whist drive, organized by a few ladies, the sum of ten guineas was raised. The list of members engaged in H.M. services steadily increases. They regretted that an old member Mr A S Jackson, was killed at the front in France. Two old members, viz., Dr. R C H Astbury and Lieut. R Adams have been specially mentioned in despatches. Dr. Astbury had been promoted to captaincy, and Lieut. Adams received the Military Cross. A trust had been imposed upon them by those members who were in H.M, Forces to keep the flag flying, to keep as much out of debt as possible, and to have ready for them a good course when they returned. Might that time be soon.

C R Fitter was re-elected president; the popular N G Rigby was re-elected as captain; Dr J A Pierce vice-captain; hon. treasurer C F Monk, was asked to serve the club for another year; W H Goodyear, the ex-president, was re-elected as vice-president; auditors, James E Rowley and A S Astbury; committee – E B Booley, F Litherland, C W Wheeler, J H Woodhouse, S White, jun., H G Edwards. Finally “Brand Hall” would not be Brand Hall without Mr Stafford as hon. secretary, said one of the members in proposing his election.”

Play was much restricted during WW1 and the course was eventually reduced to nine-holes due to the war.

From the Pall Mall Gazette Friday 4 March 1921 – “The Brand Hall golf course, which during the war was reduced to nine-holes, will shortly have the full complement of eighteen-holes in play again. Mr H S Colt has designed the reconstructed nine-holes, which are nearing completion and promise to be very good indeed.”

The course on the 1920s O.S Map.

Ordnance Survey Map © Crown Copyright {1921}.

Result of a match played at Walsall in May 1925.

In October 1925 Stanley Godfrey, club professional, lowered the professional record for the course. Playing with a club member, W L Blackstaffe, he completed the 18-holes with a score of 68.

Entry from the 1928 Golfer’s Handbook; Brand Hall Golf Club; Membership 260; Hon. secretary – G H Strafford, Merivale House, Langley Green; 18-holes; Professional, S Godfrey; Green-keeper, W J Godfrey; Course records – Amateur; Dr W Tweddell, 68; Professional; S Godfrey, 68; Visitors’ fees; gents, 2s/6d a day; ladies, 1s/6d a day; Sunday. 5 shillings.

Presentation to the long serving secretary in February 1928.

Smethwick Telephone Saturday 25 February 1928.

Golfer’s Handbook 1933; Membership 360; Secretary – *A W Neighbour, 34 Carless Avenue, Harborne*; Professional and green-keeper, G Gadd; Visitors; gents 2s/6d a day, ladies 1s/6d; Weekends 5s (2s/6d) with member.

*As can be seen in the earlier report in February 1928 A W Neighbour had left the position of secretary*

Report on the annual meeting in March 1931.

Smethwick Telephone Saturday 25 April 1931.

Golf Clubs at Home (called Brand Hill) from the Bystander February 1935.

The Bystander Wednesday 13 February 1935. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Professional Bert Gadd moves to West Cheshire Golf Club (now defunct) in January 1936.

Golfer’s Handbooks 1937 to 1947; Membership 360; A W Neighbour, 34 Carless Avenue, Harborne; Professional and green-keeper, J H Jones; Course records – Amateur; Dr W Tweddell, 68; Professional; B Gadd, 68; Visitors; gents 2s/6d a day, ladies 1s/6d; Weekends 5s (2s/6d) with member.

The annual meeting was held on Friday 22 April 1938, H M Mapstone presided. It was reported that the membership was 303, a decrease of one. The ladies’ membership was 46, compared with 55 the previous year. The financial report showed a total income of £4,499. There was a surplus of income over expenditure of £26/17s. The following officers were appointed; President, H M Mapstone; secretary, A W Neighbour; assistant secretary, T Higgatt; club captain, E Stamp; vice-captain, F Smith; first team captain, E Rigby; vice-captain, F Litherland; second team, F Brookes.

At the annual meeting in April 1939 Arthur Harper was appointed president, he had been associated with the club for 30 years, and succeeded H M Mapstone. In his annual report the secretary, A W Neighbour, stressed the need for new members. The net profit for the year was £9/6s/7d. Membership was 311, compared with 303 last year.

The course is taken over by the local authority in April 1944.

Children using the course as a playground in September 1948, golfers did not approve. Neglected bunkers can just about be made out in the background.

From the 1951 - 1956 Golfer’s Handbooks; Membership 130; Secretary – R F Bradley, 24 Parsons Hill, Warkley, Oldbury; Professional, R H Brown; 18-holes, SSS 74, Par 73; Visitors, 1s/6d a round, 3s/6d a day.

Golfer’s Handbook 1957; Membership 130; Secretary, F G Wortley; Professional, J P Holloway; Green-keeper, D Underhill; Course records – Amateur; Dr W Tweddell, 68 Professional; F C Miller, 66; 18-holes, 6,054 yards, SSS 70, Par68; Visitors; 2s/6d a round, 3s/6d a day.

Golfer’s Handbook 1961; Membership 130; Secretary, R K Mullett; Professional, J P Holloway; Green-keeper, D Underhill; Course under reconstruction.

Golfer’s Handbook 1964 - 1966; Membership 180; Secretary, J Walker; Professional, M Smith; Green-keeper, D Underhill; Course under reconstruction, 18-holes, 6,054 yards (1964), 5,656 yards (1966); Visitors; 4s a round, 5s a day.

Golfer’s Handbook 1972; Membership 225; Secretary, M Andrews; Professional, M Smith; 18-holes, 5,855 yards, SSS 67; Course records – Amateur; R Carpenter, 69; Professional, G Henderson, 69; Visitors, 40p.

Golfer’s Handbook 1975; Brand Hall Golf Club; Membership, 250; Secretary, N J Perry; Professional, M Smith; 18-holes, 5,855 yards, SSS 68; Course records – Amateur; V Norton and R Newbitt, 68; Professional; G Henderson, 69; Visitors, 50p.

Golfer’s Handbook; Membership 300; Secretary – W F Betts, Kingswinford; Professional, B Bates; 18-holes, 5,855 yards, SSS68; Course records; Amateur; M Curry, 66; Professional; G Henderson, 69; Visitors, £1.50p.

Golfer’s Handbook 1988; Brand Hall (1946); Membership 250; Secretary, W H Rushton; Professional, Barry Bates; 18-holes 5,813 yards, SSS 68; Visitors, £5.50p.

Golfer’s Handbook 1991; 18-holes, 5,813 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record; B Burlison, 68.

Golf Course Guide 1998 - 2004; Brand Hall Public Course; Professional, Carl Yates; 18-holes, 5,734 yards, SSS68; Visitors; £6.60p weekdays, £8.50p weekends.

Golfer’s Handbook 2006 - 2014; Brandhall Golf Club (1906); Membership 300; Secretary, J Robinson; Professional, Carl Yates; 18-holes 5,813 yards, Par 71, SSS 68; Visitors, £11.50p.

Below is the later scorecard with course plan and pictures of the former golf course.

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