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Molesey Hurst Golf Club, Greater London. (1907 - 1935)

It was reputed that David Garrick was involved with golf at Molesey Hurst. In 1758 Garrick invited his Scottish friend John Hume the dramatist, poet and golfer down to his Hampton house to play on the ground across the river. Hume brought 6 friends including the golfer Alexander Carlyle and some non golfing Scots friends including the architect Robert Adam. The other players in the match were reputed to be; Rev Alexander Carlyle, John Hume and Parson Black. Rev Carlyle was the minister at Inveresk  and,  apparently, he hit a trick shot through an arch in Garrick’s garden into the Thames.

There is painting showing golfers by Zoffany ; the painting is at Lambton Castle and it is said to show the Hurst clearly.

The club was founded in 1907.

An 18-hole course that was laid out midway between East and West Molesey. A quick drying course with plenty of hazards both natural and artificial the latter being well placed pot bunkers. The station at Hampton Court was ¾ mile away with a club car service to and from the station. The station at Hampton Court was ¾ mile away.  

The following is an extract from a report that appeared in the London News on Wednesday 10 April 1907. "The ground, which is situated at East Molesey, will extend from Hurst Road to Walton Road. The subsoil is gravel and sand, and the Scottish internationalist, James Hepburn, professional to the Home Park Golf Club, has reported that a good 18-hole course can be laid out at a moderate initial expenditure. The acting secretary is Mr W T Graburn, Keble Cottage, East Molesey."  

Report from February 1908.

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, Report on the golf club from February 1908.

From The Bystander Wednesday 19 February 1908. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

Result of the December 1908 monthly bogey; Senior - H R Parkes (9) 2down; Junior - N Vickery (16) 4down.

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, London. Club badge dated 1908.

Club badge c. 1908. Image courtesy of Graham Rowley.

 

  Secretary Professional/Greenkeeper
1907 W T Graburn. J Seymour (p)
1914 W T Graburn, Keeble Cottage, East Molesey.  
1908-21   A Seymour (p)
1923 J Gordon Baillie. E McInnes (p) William Mager (g)
1920s W T Graburn  
1923-33 James Wasp (early 1930s) Robert A Herd (p) W Mager (g)
1934 J Willis, 52 Ember Farm Way, East Molesey. Reginald Trapp

Result of the monthly medal for August 1911; Senior - J H Lindquist and E Hilden tied at 74 net; Junior - J W Watts, 75 net.

At the Autumn meeting held in October 1911 the Captain's prize for ladies was won by Miss W Dennison, 71 net; monthly bogey senior - J B Parnall (10,) 1up;  junior - J Watson (18,) 3down. The mixed foursome was won by Miss Dennison and R Wells, 81 net; Macdonald Cup - R Washington Smith, 79-10-69; Medal winners; Senior - C G Hardingham, 82-6-76; Junior - H Slazenger, 91-14-77; Best nine-holes - R W Smith, 33 net.

In 1914 membership was 230. Entry fee for gents was £2/2/0 and ladies £1/1/0. Subs for gents were £5/5/6 and ladies £3/3/6. There was no entry fee for five day members, subs for gents were £4/4/6 and ladies £2/2/6. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, weekends and Bank Holidays 5/-, 7/6 a week, 15/- a month and £1/15/0 for three months. If introduced by a member 1/- a day, 2/- weekends and Bank Holidays. Sunday play allowed with caddies.

In April 1915 Albert Seymour the Molesey Hurst professional went round the course in 64, this equalled the course record. Seymour hit the pin on the twelfth and proceeded to miss the short put for a two.

Result of the September 1915 monthly medal; Senior - G F Gascoigne, 85-11-74; Junior - G T Kennedy, 89-15-74.

In October 1921 At Oxhey Park Golf Club, Herts, (also now defunct) Bert Seymour played in the final of the 36-hole News of the World £750 Professional Golfer’s Championship against Jack W Gaudin (Alwoodley). Bert Seymour eventually won on the 40th hole.

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, London. Bert Seymour at the 1921 News of the World Tourney.

News of the World Tourney 1921. Sydney Wingate, semi-finalist, and Bert Seymour, winner.

 

In 1923 club membership was 400. Course records were, amateur C Chard, 70 and professional A Seymour 64. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a day, weekends and Bank Holidays 5/-.

In September 1923 George W Greenwood created a new amateur record for the altered course with a remarkable score of 67, as follows; Out - 4,3,4,2,4,5,4,4,4 = 34; In - 4,4,3,4,4,3,4,3,4 = 33.

In the mid 1920s course records were, amateur S F Corby 68 and professional R A Herd 66. Visitors’ fees were 2/6 a round, 3/6 a day, Saturdays 5/- a round 7/6 for the day, Sundays and bank holidays 5/- a round and 10/- a day.

Below the Vaudeville Golfing Society affiliated with the Molesey Hurst club.

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, London. The Vaudeville Golfing Society affiliated with Molesey Hurst.

From The Stage Thursday 5 May 1927. Image © The Stage Media Company Limited

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, London. A P F (Percy) Chapman England Cricket Captain at Molesey Hurst.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 11 October 1930. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

 

Footballers on the Molesey Hurst course in December 1930.

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, London. Chelsea footballers on the Molesey Hurst course in DEcember 1930.

From The Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 20 December 1930. Image © Illustrated London News Group. 

 

Playing on the Molesey Hurst course in February 1931 W T Twine, professional at Bromley and Bickley, had a score of 67, beating the previous record by 2 strokes.

In 1932/33 the secretary at the club was Leonard Tribble. The professional was R A Herd and the green-keeper W Mager. Course record holders were S F Corby, amateur, and R A Herd, professional.

In March 1934 Mr J Willis was appointed as secretary.

It was reported in February 1935 that Reginald Trapp , aged 25, had taken over as professional from Robert Herd.

In May 1935 E P Kyle, a member at Molesey Hurst, played in the British Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham.

It was reported in November 1935 that the club would close at the end of the year and the course would be used for building development.

It was decided that all club trophies should be competed for and won outright. They were valued at close on £400. An official of the club stated that the decision of the committee in solving a rather unusual problem had met with approval by the donors of the trophies. Already two trophies had been won. The Hutchison Trophy, a magnificent bronze statuette and valued at £100, had been won by a “long handicap member.” There were still three trophies to be competed for. 

 

Molesey Hurst Golf Club, London. Location of the former golf course.

Molesey Hurst Golf Club had disappeared by 1935.