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Wensleydale (Hawes) Golf Club, North Yorkshire. (1893 - 1960s)

Founded in 1893.

This club seemed to switch names regularly and this is indicated below. Throughout its existence it was a 9-hole course. The station at Hawes was ½ mile away. Local hotels were the White Hart and the Crown.

In March 1900 an interesting foursomes match took place on the Leyburn course (club now defunct). The competitors were Mr Watts and Mr Gibson of Hawes against Mr C E Dixon and Mr J R Wray of Leyburn, after an exciting game the visitors won 2 up.

The new golf course in May 1904.

 

Wensleydale Golf Club, Hawes. Report on a new golf course in May 1904.

Bradford Daily Telegraph Friday 27 May 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Hawes; Wensleydale Golf Club; Instituted 1893; Number of members, 37; Hon. secretary - E B Ashby, Wensleydale House, Hawes; Captain, E P Gibson; Entrance fee 5s, Subs 10s/6d; Nine-holes; Amateur course record - E T Williams, 88 (18-holes); Terms for visitors (on seeing secretary), 1s a day, 3s/6d a week, 10s a month. The new course of the club is situated 900 feet above sea level and commands a very extensive view of fine scenery. The course affords every variety of play. Visitors will find every facility. Hotels "Fountain" and "White Hart." 

In 1906 the secretary and captain was E P Gibson. Amateur record, E T Williams 88. As above, it's interesting to note that the club had recently moved, the new course was situated 900 ft above sea level with extensive views of the surrounding countryside. Still searching for the original course location.

Below is the result of a match played at Leyburn Golf Club on Saturday 5 May 1906.

Leyburn Golf Club   Hawes (Wensleydale) Golf Club  
F A Whaley 0 H A Crallan 1
F W Heaton 1 D Beilby 0
R D Horne 1 Rev R Pickering 0
C E Dixon 1 E P Gibson 0
W R Horne 1 K B Ashby 0
J Chapman 1 W Robinson 0
W Horne (senior) 1 G A Aviss 0
Mrs Whaley 1 Mrs Crallan 0
Mrs Dixon 1 Miss Richardson 0
  8   1

Result of a match played at Leyburn in April 1907.

 

Wensleydale (Hawes) Golf Club, Yorks. Result of a match played at Leyburn in April 1907.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Tuesday 23 April 1907. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

In 1914 the secretary at Wensleydale Golf Club, Hawes was H Arden Crallan. Club membership at this time was 36. The entry fee was 5/- and the subs 10/6. Visitors’ fees, by arrangement with the secretary, were 1/- a day, 3/6 a week and 10/- a month. Sunday play was not allowed.

Ordnance Survey Map showing the golf course.

 

Wensleydale Golf Club, Hawes. 1914 Ordnance Survey Map showing the Hawes golf course.

O.S. Map © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1914}.

 

There was no further mention until 1927 when Hawes Golf Club re-appeared. The secretary was W McNaughton, Fulford House, Hawes. Membership was now 60. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 7/6 a week and £1/1/0 a month. Sunday play was allowed.

By 1930 it had reverted to Wensleydale Golf Club, the name it kept to its closure. The secretary was H C Milner, The Firs, Hawes.

The annual meeting was held in April 1940, A B Harland, treasurer, presided, and reported that there was a small credit balance. E F Grainger (games secretary) reported that six matches had been played, three won and three lost. It was agreed that matches would be arranged for the coming season. J A Cooper (general secretary) in his report, commented, on a fairly satisfactory season’s work, but now owing to war conditions he urged that al members should work harmoniously together to keep the club going under present difficulties. Officials elected were; President, S H Willan; captain, S W Bowness; vice-captain, B Moore; secretary, J A Cooper; treasurer, A B Harland; committee – Miss M Burrow, Dr E L Hughes, J H Campbell, R Burrow.  

Result of a foursome competition played in May 1940; Dr. E L Hughes and H Leach, 95-24-71; C B Grainger and J A Cooper, 98-22-76.

Winner of the Stableford  Competition in June 1940 was C B Grainger, runner-up, W Sunderland.

Competition for the Spitfire Fund in October 1940.

 

Wensleydale (Hawes) Golf Club, Yorkshire. Competition for the Spitfire Fund in October 1940.

From the Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough Tuesday 29 October 1940. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

In 1940 and 47 the secretary was J A Cooper, Crosby House, Hawes and the greenkeeper C Bell. 9-holes and a membership of 49. Visitors’ fees  2/- a day, 6/- a week and 15/- a month.

From 1948 to 1957 the secretary was J B Batty, Market Place, Hawes and the greenkeeper J Dinsdale.

Nine-holes with a Standard Scratch Score of 70 and a membership of 40. Visitors’ fees 2/6 a day, 10/- a week, 17/6 a month. Local hotels were the Black Bull, Fountain and Crown.

In the last recorded entry in the early 1960s the secretary was J H Steele. The 9-hole course measured 2,750yds. The local bus service passed the course.

Memories of Hawes Golf Club from Vera Wilkes. “ I grew up in Hawes and both my parents were members of the Golf Club. I have very early memories of riding up to the course at Raines Hill on the crossbar of my mother’s bike. My sister and I would play around the clubhouse and in the woods while my parents played golf. Our treat after the game was a bottle of “pop” from the clubhouse. The fields were quite rough, and all the greens were fenced off to keep the sheep off. The list of local rules on the back of the scorecard made allowances for the problems caused by the livestock. There was a move to create a new course in Hawes a few years ago but the plans fell through”

 

Wensleydale Golf Club, Yorkshire. Scorecard dated 1938.

Scorecard from 1958 for the Wensleydale Golf Club. Author's Collection.

 

Wensleydale Golf Club, Yorkshire. Playing on the golf course.

Golfers on the Wensleydale Golf Course. Author's Collection.

 

Wensleydale Golf Club, Yorkshire. View of Hawes from the course.

Hawes and Wetherfield from the golf course. Postcard by Walter Scott, Bradford.

 

Wensleydale Golf Club, Yorkshire. Golf course location at Hawes.

Location of the Wensleydale course. Grid reference SD88790,90500, co-ordinates 388790,490500.