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Willesden Golf Club, Old Oak Common. (1891 - WW1)
Founded in 1891
The club played on a course at Old Oak Common they also played a club match against Ealing at Harlesden.
The professional from 1891-1893 was Alfred Keen he was followed in 1893 by J Irvine who stayed until 1896. The last recorded professional was E Keen 1896/7.
Report on the club formation of the club in June 1891.
"Golf" Friday 26 June 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Report on the first annual dinner in December 1892.
Field Saturday 17 December 1892. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In January 1893 the course was in wet condition but there was a good turnout for the gent’s competition, leading scores; W F Mapleston, 93-3-90; J Horn, 96-5-91; J R Townsend, 108-12-96.
From the Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News Saturday 24 June 1893. Image © Illustrated London News Group.
On Saturday 23 September 1893 the club’s autumn meeting took place at Old Oak Common, results; medal, Mr E F Currie, 82-4-78; Mr W F Mapleston, 90-4-86; bogey, Mr F Ross, 1up; Mr S R Davie, 2down; long handicap, Mr J Rawlings, 100-16-84, Mr J Horn was second. Optional sweepstake won by A T Lyon and J R Townsend.
In October 1893 the special prize for medal winners took place on Old Oak Common. The winner was W F Mappleston with a score of 87-4-83, Mr Franklin Moss was second with 80+4-84 A gold medal was presented to Franklin Moss for the best scratch score of 76 which was achieved on the 21st of this month.
In the monthly medal for December 1893 there was a three way tie, scores as follows; J R Townsend, 101-10-91; J G Anderson, 107-16-91; Langham Carter, 109-18-91.
On Saturday 20 January 1894 the monthly medal was played at Old Oak Common and won by Mr Franklin Ross with a score of 80+4-84.
Report from "Golf" 9 March 1894 -"The Willesden Golf Club have secured the services of Jack Irvine (assistant green-keeper Cinque Ports) as their professional. There is every indication that the course will be in first rate playing order for the coming season."
Report on the annual meeting in April 1894.
"Golf" Friday 27 April 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of a match against Mid-Surrey Golf Club played in April 1894.
“Golf" Friday 18 May 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of the March 1895 medal; short handicap, H Higgs, 95-13-82; long , J K Hume, 104-20-84.
Results from the spring meeting in May 1895.
"Golf” Friday 31 May 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The monthly medal for August 1895 was won by; short handicap, W F Mapleston, 86-8-78; long handicap, B Pierpoint, 63 net.
The result of the monthly medal for November 1895; short handicap, J Rawlings and C J Simpson tied at 88net, Rawlings won the play-off; long handicap, F Chase 83 net.
On Saturday 16 May 1896 the club held its annual meeting. The medal winners’ prizes went to W F Mapleston, 87-4-83 and A H Briggs, 106-17-89. The handicap prize winners were J T Heath, 94-20-74 and W Leggatt, 99-18-91. The prize for the best nine hole scores went to W F Mapleston and H Higgs and the prize for handicaps limited to 20 to T P Burns.
The monthly medal for November 1896 was won by Bantock Pierpoint with a net score of 83.
December 1896 medal was won by Henry Bell, 98-9-89.
The monthly medal in January 1897 was won by Harry Higgs. The bogey competition February 1897 was won by F W Ball (13) 4down.
Report from the Pall Mall Gazette, Tuesday 16 February 1897. "We are glad to hear that the Willesden Golf Club is filling up again. When the Wembley club was started many members forsook their old love for the new, but now they seem to be recognising the fact the Willesden possess many advantages that Wembley lack. The open ditches and drains on the Willesden course which used to annoy many of the members - especially in the heat of August; but we understand that the state of the drains has been ameliorated. Plenty of good sport can be had at Wembley, however, where two noticeable cricketers in the persons of A E Stoddart and J R Mason are members. When this club first opened the pond on the top of the hill was the excuse for much hard swearing, for the green being situated only a short distance from the far end of the pool, and the teeing-ground a still shorter distance from the near end, the shot (a short iron stroke) necessitated mush skill and judgment on the part of those players, who didn't care to compromise matters and work round the pond, a course which had disastrous effects on a "bogey" card. Wembley glories in a wonderful clubhouse, one end of which is set aside for ladies, and their bicycles. Willeseden is very deficient in accommodation of this kind for its clubhouse leaves much to be desired. The history of this little club - which ought to be better known to City men, who can reach it in a very short time - is interesting. The links consist of a tract of ground belonging to the Great Western Railway. Years ago it was a sort of pleasure resort for North-West Londoners, then it was given over to cricket clubs, who failed to pay their rent, and thus let in the golfers, who have been there ever since. Mr Bantock Pierpoint, the well-known singer, is the hon. secretary."
On Saturday 27 March 1897 A N Horne finished 7 down and won the bogey competition.
On Saturday 21 August 1897 after a tie on the first 18 holes for the Anderson Challenge Cup , A F J Hunter beat Franklin Ross 6 and 5.
In September 1897 Langham Carter won the bogey competition with a score of all squire.
In October 1897 Mr L P Hughes won the handicap prize. The bogey was won by Mr A F J Hunter and the medal winner was Mr T G Taylor. Sidney Davie and F Cleveland were the winners of the long handicap.
Following is an extract from a report that appeared in October 1897. "The Great Western Railway Company have intimated that the ground at present leased by this club would be required for their extension schemes, it became necessary for the club to discontinue, and the committee, with much regret, intimated this to the members. The autumn meeting is to be held on the 30th inst., at which the usual prizes will be played for, and the club, founded in 1891, will, after that date cease to exist. In order, however, to give members ample opportunity to remove their belongings from the clubhouse, a further tenancy of one month (to November 30th) has been arranged.
A general meeting of the members was held on October 12th, to consult as to the best means of releasing from the custody of the club the two challenge cups at present in its possession.
The Anderson challenge cup was first taken into consideration, and, upon the proposal of Mr Marzials, seconded by Mr Puzey, it was unanimously resolved to present it to the captain, Mr W F Mapleston, as a token of the high esteem in which he was held in the club, and in gratitude for the many acts of courtesy and kindness he has shown, and the warm interest he has always had in the club's welfare.
The Incognito Cup. - After much discussion, it was finally resolved, upon the motion of Mr Langham Carter, seconded by Mr W F J Hunter, that the cup be played for at the autumn meeting, to become the absolute property of the winner, but open only to members who had joined prior to 1 May 1897. - A P Lyon, Hon. Secretary."
A result for Willesden Golf Club from September 1911; McCalmont Hill Scratch Trophy - L G Frigant (sic,) 86.
At about the same time Willesden Golf Club was in existence another local club appears. The following is from “Sport Ancient and Modern.” – “St Quintin’s Club, play on a nine-hole course close to Wormwood Scrubs. The club was instituted in 1894.” This is the only reference found so far. It’s possible it could have been an Artisan Club attached to Willesden.
Old Oak Common before it was taken over by the Great Western Railway.
The Google Map below shows Old Oak Common nowadays.