The Internet's Most Comprehensive Guide

Preston Golf Club, Ribbleton Course. (1892 - 1895)

Founded in1892.

Originally a 9-hole course laid-out adjacent to Preston Pleasure Gardens.

From the Lancashire Evening Post Monday 14 November 1892 – “The Preston Golf Club, situated next door to the Pleasure Gardens, has now been in full swing for two Saturdays. Its convenient situation immediately at the tram terminus, and the eminently “sporting” nature of the course, will probably attract quite as many members as the course will conveniently accommodate. Already the club numbers nearly 80 members. There are nine-holes, and the length is about a mile and a half, making an average of about 290 yards from hole to hole. Away to the right of the course is a miniature Himalaya, which, however, does not trouble the player, and on the left a small lake, the course compares very favourably with other inland greens. It is for the most part well above the level of the road, and should prove fairly playable even after rain. The putting greens are, if such a thing is possible, too good and fast. George Lowe, of Carnoustie, the green-keeper of the Lytham & St Annes Club, who laid out the ground, on Saturday played the first hole in three, and went round the course in a low figure.”

Extract of an article from the Lancashire Evening Post Wednesday 16 November 1892 – “Golf is spreading. By some it is regarded as an aristocratic game, but it is a game which is rapidly growing in public favour. It is not so easy a game to play as it looks and requires a good deal of practice to make perfect. The formal opening of the new links took place on Saturday and was witnessed by a number of visitors and members.

Several gentlemen met a few weeks ago in Preston, at the suggestion of Mr Nicholas Cokshutt, Dr James Rigby and Mr W S Edelston, and it was decided to for a golf club at Preston. The following are the officers; president - Sidney A Hermon; vice-presidents; Mayor of Preston; Sir Matthew White Ridley, Bart.; M.P; W E M Tomlinson, M.P; R W Hanbury; captain, Nicholas Cockshutt; hon. secretary, W S Edelston; hon. treasurer, Dr J Rigby; council – Dr R Trimble, J Eccles, jun., J P Musprat, J J Johnson and E C C Firth.

The club-room is at present at the Hesketh Arms Hotel about five minutes from the links.”

The competition for the prize given by the captain,  Nicholas Cockshutt, was played on Saturday 16 September 1893, result; R Pritt, 102-30-72; James Sill, 94-20-74; A Brierley, 113-30-83; J Cockshutt, 119-25-94; W S Edelston, 119-20-99; Dr Garner, 113-10-103; J G Kent, 165-30-135. Mr Johnstone, the professional, had very much improved the greens. The long grass which had been a great inconvenience, had been cut, and the course was in great order.   

Below is a report on the first annual meeting.

From the Leeds Mercury Thursday 9 November 1893. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Below is the result of a match played at Fleetwood Golf Club in October 1894.

Report on the second annual meeting in November 1894.

Preston Herald Wednesday 7 November 1894. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report from 1895 reflecting on visit of George Lowe to lay out the course near the Pleasure Gardens in 1892.

Lancashire Evening Post Saturday 29 June 1895. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

The club moved to the present course at Fulwood in the mid 1890s and became the Preston and Fulwood Golf Club. Fulwood was eventually removed from the title and it became Preston Golf Club.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1890s showing the Pleasure Grounds.

O.S. Map Revised 1890 to 1892; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1895).

The Google Map below shows the area of the Preston Pleasure Gardens. The earlier golf course was adjacent.