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Heath Golf Club, Heath Common Course, Agbrigg, Wakefield. (1911 -1950s)

Heath Golf Club first appeared in 1911 on the course formerly occupied by the Wakefield Golf Club.

The following report appeared in the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Tuesday 15 August 1911; "NEW GOLF CLUB AT WAKEFIELD - A largely attended meeting of the members of the newly formed Heath Club, which succeeds the Wakefield Golf Club, whose new clubhouse and links will be in the future be situated at Woodthorpe, was held at the Bull Hotel, Wakefield.

Mr Claude Leatham, who presided, remarked that what they been trying to do for the past six months was accomplished, and the Heath Golf Club would, he hoped, go forward on a prosperous career (Applause). He was glad they had succeeded in negotiating with their friends, who were leaving the Common in such an amicable manner, that the Wakefield Golf Club House Company would be continued as in the past, and the golf house would be continued, and the golf house would be let to the Heath Club. Those shareholders who wanted to retire had agreed to accept £7 for the £10 shares held by them, and they had had sufficient applications for the shares of those who were going to Woodthorpe. He announced that the subscriptions would be from 10s/6d to £1/1s and added that he had always felt that the game of golf was not one intended wholly for the rich, no more than was cricket, and he therefore trusted the fullest advantage would be taken of the facilities which the Heath Club offered. He regarded with gratitude the graceful act of the Wakefield Golf House in giving back to him a silver cup which he had the pleasure of presenting to the members many years ago, and it was his great pleasure that evening to present the cup to the Heath Club with hope that there would be many good fights for its ownership (Applause). They expected to have 200 members, and to commence the use of the links from the 1 October. The officers were then elected as follows; President, Percy Tew; hon. secretary and treasurer, E T B Simpson; committee - Rev. H Brownrigg, C Leatham, C F Wardley, W E Stephenson, T R Bryan, S Jackson, H Firth, T C Blackmore, T Dews, W H Crossland, J Muirhead and  E Hayley. On the motion of Mr Stephenson, Mr Leatham was cordially thanked for his gift."

Result of a match against Barnsley and District Golf Club played in June 1912.

Wakefield and West Riding Herald Saturday 15 June 1912.Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The Heath Golf Club Clubhouse.

From 1928 and into the early 1930s the secretary W A Luff, Harefield, Walton, Wakefield. Club Telephone 710. The professional and greenkeeper was D Smith. A 9-hole course with a SSS of 73 and a membership of 200. Professional course record held by J Smith 68. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer - Wednesday 21 March 1928. Image © Johnston Press plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Below is the result of a match played at Bradford Limes in April 1931.

The professional in 1934 was Arthur Illingworth.

Entry from the 1937 Golfer's Handbook; Heath Golf Club; Membership, 150; Hon. Sec. - A Speight, Fieldhouse Street, Agbrigg Road, Wakefield; Green-keeper, A Kersley; 9-holes, Par 72, SSS 71; Visitors, 1s a day, Sunday Play (Licensed). 

From 1940 to the clubs disappearance in the mid 1950s the secretary was A Speight, 25 Fieldhouse Street, Wakefield and the greenkeeper A Kersley. The 9-hole course had a SSS and Par of 72 and a membership of 90. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 1/6 on Sunday. The station at Wakefield was about 1 mile away there was also a local bus service to the course.

Situated on Heath Common. Increasing road traffic on the two main roads across the heath from the 1930s as well as competition from nearby clubs contributed to the demise of Heath Golf Club.

Miss D Luff, the daughter of the secretary in the mid 1920s to the early thirties has a clock inscribed “Presented to W Luff by the members of Heath Golf Club as a token of appreciation of his services as Honorary Secretary 1925 - 32”.

Thanks to Miss Luff for the copy off the front cover of the ledger for 1929/30.

Location of the course on Heath Common. Grid reference SE35760,19570, co-ordinates 435760,419570.