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Hurdsfield Golf Club, Macclesfield, Cheshire. (1900 - WW2)
The club was founded in 1900.
The club played at two locations, the first course was at Cliff Farm and the second at Shrigley Fold. The later nine-hole course at Shrigley had a SSS of 71 and a Par of 72 with a membership of 140 by closure (membership prior to WW1 was about 75). Sunday play was not allowed before WW1. The station at Macclesfield (L&NW) was 1½ miles away.
Result of a match played in 1907.
Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser Friday 3 May 1907. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Hurdsfield Golf Club button.
Result of the monthly medal played on Saturday 31 May 1913; N Wood, 82-6-76; H Coups, 96-16-80; H Sutton, 100-11-89; J Horner, 105-16-89; S Broster, 109-20-89; J Leighton, 113-24-89; J A Leigh, 110-19-91; J Mottershead, 106-12-94.
In 1914 entry fees were 10/6 and subs for gents were £1/1/0, ladies, juniors and country members paid 10/6. Visitors' fees were 1/- a day and 3/6 a week.
In the mid 1920s visitors' fees were 2/- a day, 2/6 on Sunday.
In the 1930/40s visitors' fees were 2/- a day, weekend 3/6 a day.
| Secretary | Professional/Greenkeeper | |
| 1914 | H Sutton, The Cliffe, near Hurdsfield. | |
| 1920s | J Naden, 30 The Crescent, Hurdsfield. | J P Taylor (p) N Cooper (g) |
| 1930-35 | H Axson, 8 Beech Lane, Macclesfield. | James Payne Taylor (p&g) |
| 1936-38 | J Mottershead, 54 Prestbury Road, Macclesfield. | James Payne Taylor (p&g) |
| 1939/40s | W S Woodman, 42 Beech Lane, Macclesfield. | James Payne Taylor (p&g) |
On the 23 May 1925 it was reported that a men’s bogey competition was held which resulted in a tie between Mr Shackley and Mr Barber. This competition would have been played on the Higher Hurdsfield course.
The following article appeared in the “Courier” on the 6 March 1926 - “The proposed scheme for the formation of a new course at Shrigley Fold Farm, Swanscoe. A company will be forthwith formed for the purposes of carrying same into effect. There are a few vacancies for members. For particulars of membership and shares apply to Mr G Turner, Hon. Secretary, 32 Rainbow Road, Hurdsfield.”
So it was decided that the club would be moving from the Cliffe Farm site to Shrigley Fold. InitialIy it was to be a nine-hole course of 3,000 yards, it was estimated that the course would be ready for play in three or four months. Several of the holes were to measure between 400 and 500 yards with the usual shorter holes. The clubhouse would comprise of a lounge a ladies room and a tea room with facilities for serving refreshments.
The course opened on Saturday 6 November 1926 in heavy rain with a match between the President’s team and the Captain’s team. The match was followed by a hotpot supper. William Brocklehurst was President. Trophies included the Brocklehurst Cup and the Pimphlott Trophy
The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse in March 1927 where a small financial loss was reported. The retiring president, Councillor W Brocklehurst C.C was thanked for his services. The following officials were elected; President, J R Atkins; captain, W Clarkson; vice-captain; A Beverley; hon. secretary, J Naden; assistant secretary, N Booth; ladies captain, Miss M Fearn; vice-captain, Mrs E J Paterson; hon. secretary, Miss L Harrison.
Above are views of the Shrigley Fold course taken in the 1920/30s. (Images courtesy of Mrs D Dossett).
I would like to thank Dorothy Dossett and Kay Fussey for providing the following information and images on James Taylor, the professional at Hurdsfield. Dorothy is the daughter of James Taylor and Kay the granddaughter:-
James P Taylor was the popular professional at Hurdsfield during the 1920/30s and into the 1940s.
In 1911 Mr J Taylor senior became head green-keeper at Stockport Golf Club. Mr Taylor had moved from Northampton and would have been involved with the construction of the Stockport course in 1906. In 1917 Mr Taylor’s son James, then aged 15, started work at the club. Mr Taylor senior was a “skilled” golfer and in the nine years that young Jimmy Taylor worked there he learned well both as a green-keeper and as a golfer.
Unusual hole in one- whilst playing the 180 yard eighth hole at Hurdsfield in October 1935 Taylor hit his tee shot to within four yards of the hole. His opponent then played and when his ball pitched on the green it struck Taylor’s ball and knocked it into the hole.
In July 1937 he set a course record of 69 for the Hurdsfield course. It was reported that “On the eighteenth green Taylor missed a five foot putt for a 68 after taking a five at the sixth, which is generally an easy four. His score was; First nine – 4,4,4,4,3,5,4,3,4 = 35; Second nine – 5,4,4,4,3,3,4,3,4 = 34, total 69. At the sixth, known as the “Barn Hole” his drive kicked to the side of the green and finished in rough grass. It cost him a stroke. Dapper, lithe and sun-burnt, Taylor was playing some of the best golf of his career.” In September 1937 Taylor won the Grice Cup, his prize was presented at the North Staffordshire Golf Alliance meeting at Leek Golf Club.
Whilst playing in a four ball in 1938 Jimmy Taylor set a new course record on the “newly lengthened Hurdsfield course” score as follows; Out – 4,4,4,4,3,4,4,4,3 = 34; In – 4,5,6,4,3,3,4,3,4 = 36; total 70.
Following the closure of the club and course James Taylor went to work at the cinema in Barnsley.
James Taylor, the Hurdsfield professional.
J Taylor playing in the North Staffordshire Alliance meeting at Trentham in October 1940.
Above is the character reference provided by the club for James Taylor.
Result of a match played at Macclesfield in July 1936.
Macclesfield Times Friday 24 July 1936. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In July 1937 Hurdsfield played a home match against Macclesfield. The Macclesfield team won the earlier encounter played on the Hollins course, Hurdsfield team as follows; D R L Gartside (6) & J Taylor (scratch), G P Ketley (5) & J A P Curran (7), H Forster (8) & S Barker (10), G Palfreyman (15) & D Brough (11), C W Waygood (14) & N Little(15), F J Wileman (15) & G Phillips (16), F Heath (16) & F Cotterill (19), J R Gordon (16) & K B Marks (19), S Woodman (20) & M Albury (18), F Birchenough (22) & W Olive (22).
J A P Curran the “slow swinger and accurate player” returned a gross 75 in the July 1937 monthly tankard competition, result; J A P Curran, 75-7-68; J Kelly, 88-15-73; F Cotterill, 92-19-73; G P Ketley, 79-5-74; G Palfreyman, 89-15-74; S Woodman, 96-20-76; L Casson, 88-11-77; F Rogers, 99-22-77; J R Gordon, 94-16-78; F Heath, 94-16-78.
The course closed during WW2. Unlike many courses at this time the course was never ploughed over or used for growing crops for the war effort.
In 1947 the secretary was Mr Woodman. The course had a SSS of 71 and a par of 72.
Impressive score by J Taylor the professional at Hurdsfield.
Front of the scorecard.
“The above map gives a layout for the Cliff Farm course in the mid 1920’s. It is taken from information supplied by a Mr Spearing who acted as a caddy or ball spotter on the course as a young boy in the early 1920’s. He lived on Calrofold Lane. The holes he was most certain about were 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. Sometime between 1914 and 1919 the Club rented a field from Marsh farm and the 6th did indeed cross the road. Before the Marsh farm field was rented I think that the course either had fewer than nine holes or they must have criss-crossed. The land beyond the Cliff Farm holes falls steeply away hence Cliff Farm”
Above is the layout of the later Shrigley Fold course.
Thanks to Ron Blench and Bill Milligan for supplying the cards, course locations and layout information.
Grid reference (Cliff Lane Course) SJ93920,74485, co-ordinates 393920,374485.Grid reference (Shrigley Fold Course) SJ93125,75560, co-ordinates 393125,375560.
The Google Map below shows the location of the Shrigley Fold course.
Hurdsfield Golf Club had disappeared by the early 1950s.