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Lancaster Golf Club, Cockerham/Scale Hill/Dolphinlee Courses. (1889 - 1933)

Founded in  1889.

The first Lancaster course was at Cockerham; It then moved to Scale Hill in 1901 when it was known as Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club; In 1905 Lancaster Golf club reappears with a course at Dolphinlee where it continued until 1933.

The Cockerham course was designed by Scotsman George Lowe who would go on to organize the layout of the 18-hole courses at Scale Hall and Dolphin Lee. Dr Alister MacKenzie made changes to the Dolphinlee course in the early 1920s.

Sand Villa at Cockerham was the first home of Lancaster Golf Club (1889-1890s). The first tee was through a gate on the opposite side of the road, which was still there recently.

In December 1890 the silver quaich, presented by the club for monthly competition, was played for on the Cockerham course under difficult frosty conditions which made putting, in particular difficult. The winner was Mr A B Schofield with a net score of 93, Dr Forbes Dick was second with net 96, and Mr W Stewart third with net 108.

Competition results from September 1891.

"Golf" Friday 9 October 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Competition played at Sandside in June 1892.

Lancaster Gazette Saturday 11 June 1892. Public domain.

Portrait and information on Mr W Stewart who was prominent in Lancashire golf and also in the earlier Lancaster Golf Club at Cockerham.

Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 6 June 1894. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Despite the optimism in the above report it seems that little organised golf was played at Cockerham probably due to its remote location.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1890s showing Sand Villa, Cockerham.

O.S. Map Revised 1890; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1895).

The Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club at Scale Hill appears in 1901.

At a meeting on the 23 May 1901 at the Grand Hotel, Morecambe it was decided to form the Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club at Scale Hall. Lord Ashton was appointed president of the new club; Mr C J Clark, captain; Mr S Palmer, secretary; Mr R G W Howson, treasurer. The committee comprised of Dr Clegg, Rev C V Gorton, Mr F Bannister,  Mr Charnley, Morecambe, Rev W L Appleford, Mr R Preson (Mayor of Lancaster) Messrs. Duncan and Malcom, Lancaster. The question of the number of holes on the course was discussed, and it was suggested that a nine-hole course might suffice for the present, but it was eventually decided to seek the advice of George Lowe, the St Anne’s professional, and then act on his advice. It was intimated that a fine old farmhouse containing plenty of rooms would be available, at a moderate rent, for a clubhouse.

From the Lancashire Evening Post Tuesday 4 June 1901 - "Considerable progress has been made with the new golf club in the Morecambe district to be called the Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club, and already about 100 members have joined. Ground has been secured on which an eighteen-hole course has been laid out by George Lowe, of Lytham and St Annes Golf Club, and it is hoped the new links will be shortly be opened for play. Mr S Palmer, Furness College, Morecambe, is the hon. secretary of the new club."

Report on the opening of the golf course in 1901.

Bradford Observer Thursday 18 July 1901. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the new course in September 1901.

Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser Friday 20 September 1901. Public domain.

Result of the Duncan Cup ladies' bogey competition played in February 1902; Mrs Malcolm, 3down; Mrs Glegg, 4down; Miss Rhodes, 6down; Miss E B Davies, 10down; Miss N Davies, 10down.

Result of Lord Ashton's Cup in July 1902; A W Malcolm, 90-10-80; S Fawcett, 96-16-80; Dr Glegg, 89-7-82.

Result of a match against Barrow played in September 1902.

Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser Friday 19 September 1902. Public domain.

Report on the annual meeting in January 1903.

Lancashire Evening Post Wednesday 21 January 1903. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser Friday 13 March 1903. Public domain.

Result of the last competition on the old course for the Morecambe and Lancaster Golf Club in December 1904.

Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer Friday 30 December 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Scale Hall was a 9-hole course with separate tees for ladies. Course records were: amateur R J H Preston with a score of 79,  professional C Brooks 76. Visitors' fees were 2/- a day, 5/- a week and 15/- a month. The LNWR station at Lancaster was 1 ½ miles away.

The Scale Hall course was plagued with problems and in 1905 it was decided to leave and set up home at Dolphinlee.

Ordnance Survey Map showing Scale Hall prior to WWI.

O.S. Map Revised 1910; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1915).

The Dolphinlee Course, Caton Road, (1905-1932) was originally 9-holes but was extended to 18-holes in 1908. The course was delightfully situated on the banks of the Lune. There was excellent accommodation available at the clubhouse. (nowadays the  site is occupied by Lansil golf course founded 1947).

Report on the new course at Dolphinlee.

Lancashire Post Monday 30 January 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Lancaster Golf Club; Instituted 1905; Membership 200; Hon. secretary - F Huntington, Ashford House, Lancaster; Captain, W M Duncan; Entrance fee, nil and subs £2/2s; Nine-holes; Visitors on introduction. This is a new course within 5 miles of Morecambe, and delightfully situated on the banks of the Lune. There is excellent accommodation in the club house.

Famous golfers at Lancaster in July 1908.

Nottingham Evening Post Thursday 2 July 1908. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Lancaster Standard and County Advertiser Friday 25 June 1909. Public domain.

In the July 1909 monthly medal a new amateur course record was set by J B Dowthwaite, 73-3-70.

Leading scores in the annual competition for the King's Own Depot Cup played in June 1910; E Threlfall, 6up; J Glegg, 3up; Rev., Fr. Bilsborough, 1up; F Huntington, 1down.

The Lancaster Golf Club clubhouse c1911. 

The annual meeting was held at the County Hotel on Thursday 25 January 1912, W M Duncan presided. Lord Aston was re-elected president and J W Paton was appointed captain. N W Helme MP, R Preston, J H Dalton, W M Duncan and the Vicar of Lancaster were re-appointed as vice-presidents. The secretary was F Huntington and the green-keeper was Samuel Arthur. In the spring it was hoped to open a new short hole to follow the hogback, additional hazards were also to be added. The question was also raised regarding the appointment of a professional.

Result of the December 1912 medal; First Division - D Schofield, 90-2-88; W French, 98-10-88; J W Whittaker, 100-12-88; T Jackson, 92 scratch; Division Two - D Wright, 103-14-89; D S Cross, 104-15-89; C F Gardner, 105-16-89; S Lowndes, 115-24-91.

In the 1914 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook the secretary was Fred Huntington, Thetis House, Lancaster. Club membership at this time was 265. The entry fee was £2/2/0 and the subs £3/3/0 for full members, £2/2/0 for district members and £1/11/6 country members. Visitors' fees were 2/6 a day, 10/- a week and 20/- a month. Ladies were not allowed to play on Saturdays or on Medal days, unless they were in a mixed foursome. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.

Below is the result of a match played at the Ingleton & Bentham Golf Club (now defunct) on Saturday 25 April 1914. 

Daily Mirror Monday 25 May 1914. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported at the annual meeting in January 1915 that due to the war the annual dinner would not take place this year. Tribute was paid to a couple of members who had died for King and country, Major Morrell and Lieut. Morris. Sympathy was also expressed with Lieut. Coulston and Lieut. Tomlinson, wounded prisoners of war. It stated that no fewer than 55 members, or over 25 per cent. of the membership, were or would shortly be on active service.

At the annual meeting in January 1917 members agreed to proposals to abandon three holes, liberate the whole of the course for cattle and sheep grazing, and allow the tenant to plough up a large area of rough on the Hog's Back and Canal holes. The greens would be fenced off, and the fairways kept in order by members' voluntary labour. It was reported that only £27 had been spent on intoxicants during the year. Out of 200 members 75 had joined the forces, and twelve had laid down their lives. 

In June 1919 the playing of competitions was revived, they had been in abeyance during the war. T Jackson won the Gold Cup provided by Mr W M Duncan. J S Oglethorpe won the Garnett Cup.   

Lancashire Evening Post Tuesday 23 December 1919. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Changes to the Dolphinlee course in 1922.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturday 27 May 1922. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1923 the secretary was S W Clarke ASAA., 31 Castle Hill, Lancaster Telephone 687. The professional was W H Ball and the greenkeeper Sam Arthur. Visitors' fees 3/6 a day, 10/6 a week and 21/- a month. Sunday play was allowed with caddies.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturday 3 February 1923. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

New Years Day competition 1924; E Threlfall, jun., 82-7-75; J B Waddington, 90-15-75; C E Barrow, 78-2-76; W H Whittaker, 83-7-76; J Tatlow, 100-24-76; G Betts, 90-14-76.

Lancashire Evening Post Friday 23 May 1924. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Lancashire Evening Post Wednesday 4 February 1925. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Lancashire Evening Post Tuesday 2 February 1926. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Leading scores in the 36-hole Ashton Cup played in April 1927; A P Procter, 173-22-151; H Cross, 157-4-153; W A Morris, 177-22-155; W H Inman-170-14-156; G Robertson, 168-10-158; B Townley, 172-14-158; T R Blackhurst, 182-24-58.

New Years Day competition 1929; G L Robertson, 85-3-82; C E Barrow, 84 scratch; F W Barrow, 103-18-85; H Cross, 88-2-86; R Curwen, 101-15-86; B Townley, 93-6-87; G E Richmond, 94-6-88; H Huntington, 98-10-88.

In 1930 the secretary, professional and greenkeeper were as 1923. The professional course record was held by W H Ball (68), and membership was 325. Visitors' fees were October to April 2/6 a day, May to September 3/6 a day, Bank Holidays 5/- a day, 10/- a week and 21/- a month. Sunday play allowed with caddies. Local hotels were the King's Arms, County and Alexandra.

Result of a foursome competition for Mr Churnside's prize played in August 1931; G L Robertson and W Cook, 78-3-75; J H G Preston and V Verity, 80-4-76; J Turner and E H Stansbie, 81-2-79; I J Smith and C Smith, 88-8-80; A J Stout and G Jackson, 82-2-80; W H Whittaker and W Clark, 81 scratch.  

Report on the move to the current course in October 1931.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturday 3 October 1931. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of a match played in September 1932.

Morecambe Guardian Friday 16 September 1932. Image © National World Publishing Ltd. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

From the Lancashire Evening Post Wednesday 19 April 1933 - "The Lancaster Golf Club's present course at Dolphinlee, which was opened in 1905, will be closed for play on April 30th." 

It was reported in May 1933 that Dr Mannix, captain of the club, drove the first ball to open the club's new headquarters at Ashton Hall.

It seems that golf continued at Dolphinlee for a while. The last report found for competitive golf on the Dolphinlee course was from the Morecambe Herald Friday 6 July 1934 - "GOLF RECORD - The play for the monthly medal competition of the Lancaster Golf Club on Wednesday proved to have unexpected results, a new amateur record being created for the Dolphinlee course. Twenty-three cards were taken out and the successful member was Mr J B Douthwaite, who went round the course in 73 less three nett 70. This is the best performance of an amateur on the course."

The Lancaster Golf Club moved to its present site at Ashton Hall in 1934.

Ordnance Survey Map showing the Dolphinlee Golf Course and Club House.

O.S. Map Revised 1910; © Crown Copyright (year of publication ca. 1933).