Ivythorn Golf Club, Street, Somerset. (1897 - 1940)
The club was founded in 1897.
A 9-hole course laid out by R Tollemache and situated on the common at Marshall’s Elms on the Polden Hills.
Report from the South Wales Echo January 18th 1898. “Just across the water a new golf club under the name of Ivythorn Golf Club has been formed for the Glastonbury district, and a nine-hole course has been laid out on the Polden Hills close to Marshall’s Elms. The course is of a sporting nature nearly two miles round, and in time ought to make a really good links. They were opened on New Year’s Day, when a large number of members and friends were present, and an exhibition match took place between the Rev. J Crump and the Rev. C F Montgomery, both prominent members of the Burnham Golf Club. Subsequently at a general meeting of members the following committee was formed; captain, Rev. J Crump; ladies’ captain, Hon. Mrs R Tollemache; secretary and treasurer, R Tollemache.”
Results of the January 1898 medals; Ladies - Mrs R Tollemache, 142-22-120; second, Mrs Gooding; third, Mrs Burtill; Gent's - P Carey-Elwes, 101-9-92; Hon. R Tollemache, 116-14-102; F J Clark, 132-16-116; Rev. H Dawes, 154-25-129. No returns from others.
Result of a match played on the Ivythorn course against Wells Golf Club in May 1899.
Ivythorn Golf Club | Wells Golf Club | ||
P C Elwes | 6 | R A Grant | 0 |
Rev. C Montgomery | 4 | Dr. J H Sproat | 0 |
F J Clark | 3 | J Gossage | 0 |
Dr. C B Simpson | 3 | E A Clark | 0 |
Rev. E Lock | 1 | A Sheldon | 0 |
J C Morland | 6 | L Crosse | 0 |
C B Sparrow | 0 | J Dyer | 1 |
23 | 1 |
Result of a match played at Bruton Golf Club (now defunct) in December 1899.
Bruton Golf Club | Ivythorn Golf Club | ||
Rev. T Crump | 2 | P C Elwes | 0 |
G B Beak | 0 | F J Clark | 4 |
P Bennett | 0 | Hon. R Tollemache | 8 |
W Cash | 5 | Dr. C B Simpson | 0 |
C O Bennett | 0 | Rev. W J Birtill | 8 |
7 | 20 |
Result of a match played at Burnham and Berrow in December 1901.
Burnham & Berrow Golf Club | Ivythorn Golf Club | ||
J H Palmer | 1 | Dr. Lawrie | 0 |
C R Blathwayte | 0 | T Crump | 1 |
A Greswell | 4 | W J Birtill | 0 |
J Adamson | 3 | R C Tollemache | 0 |
Monsignor Kennard | 0 | W Cash | 1 |
R T Nicholson | 4 | F J Clark | 0 |
A Marwood Elton | 0 | J C Morland | 3 |
12 | 5 |
Results from the New Year meeting in 1902.
Result of the April 1904 monthly medal; J C Morland, 94-15-79; Dr. Lawrie, 89-4-85; F J Clark, 102-16-86; Rev. E S C Lock, 105-18-87.
Result of the December 1905 monthly medal; Dr. Lawrie, 91-3-88; Rev. H L Barnwell, 119-22-97; J C Morland, 110-12-98; F J Clark, 114-16-98.
In 1906 the secretary was Dr Lawrie, Glastonbury. Course records were, amateur J C Allsion with a score of 36 and professional J Bradbeer 36. Visitors’ fees on introduction were 1/- a day, 4/- a week and 10/- a month. Local hotels were the George and the Crown.
Result of the January 1908 monthly medal; F J Clark, 93-14-79; Dr. D Lawrie, 88-3-85; A W S Baily, 111-22-89; A A Baily, 112-22-90; Rev. G W Saunders, 116-25-91.
Result of a match played at Bruton Golf Club (now defunct) in October 1910.
In 1913/14 the secretary was Dr Lawrie. 9-holes with a membership of 42. There was no entry fee. Subs were £1/1/0. Visitors’ fees 1/- a day, 5/- a week and 10/- a month. Stations at Glastonbury 3 miles,Street 1 mile.
Presentation made to Dr Laurie in January 1914.
In 1915 the secretary was C A H Baily, Hillside, Glastonbury.
In the early 1920s the secretary was F Hagan a Solicitor of Street. The green-keeper was G W Hall who’s Telephone number was given as Street number 4.
Result of the December 1922 monthly medal; Rev. R J Jackson, 100-18-82; J C Morland, 99-14-85; W G Baker, 107-20-87; R H Carter, 115-24-91.
The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse in January 1924, Alderman J C Morland in the chair. Capt. Peter Pinney was elected captain; Mrs J C Morland, ladies' captain; F J Clark, secretary.
The 1924 February medal was won by Capt. R W Pretor-Pinney with a net score of 81.
From 1926 to 1928 the secretary was F Clark.
Result of the May 1927 monthly medal; J W H Brown, 90-18-72; H Morland, 89-10-79; C Rose, 92-10-82.
The annual meeting was held in the clubhouse in April 1928, G R Read in the chair. The following officers were elected; Captain, R W Pretor-Pinney, Somerton; ladies' captain, Mrs J Coleby Morland; hon. auditor, J W Pearce; hon. secretary, Humphrey Morland; hon. treasurer, F J Clark.
From 1929 to 1936 the secretary was H Morland, Ynyswynyn, Glastonbury and the green-keeper G W Hall.
Report on the annual meeting held in June 1930.
Below is the result of a match played on the Ivythorn course against Wells Golf Club on Saturday 1st November 1930.
Ivythorn Golf Club | Wells Golf Club | ||
T I Pound | 0 | Dr. A C Hincks (3 and 2) | 1 |
H Morland | 0 | Dr. R Kemm (2 and 1) | 1 |
J W H Brown (halved) | 0 | A Carpenter (halved) | 0 |
Capt. R W P Pinney (capt.) (3 and 2) | 1 | F George (capt.) | 0 |
Dr. J Eglinton (6 and 5) | 1 | J Pinchard | 0 |
Major Phelips | 1 | F C Griffin | 0 |
3 | 2 |
In 1937 the secretary was J B Senger, Portleigh Street, Street. The green-keeper was R Whitcombe.
The final of the Coronation Cup , presented to the club by the President J A Clark, was played in August 1937. The finalists were Cyril Hicks and Jack Barry whose handicaps were 12 and 36 respectively. After a close match Mr Hicks won on the last hole.
Report on the annual meeting held in March 1939.
The clubs final year was 1940 when the secretary was W Barrett, Wraxhill St, Street. The green-keeper was R Whitcombe. The 9-hole course had a SSS of 36 and a membership of 72.Visitors’ fees on introduction were 2/- a day, 5/-a week and 10/- a month. Sunday play allowed.
Memories of Ivythorn Golf Club from Mike Evason:
“As a child in Somerset in the 1950s and 60s I often played in the area locally called “Golf links” Apparently in the 1920s and 30s it was a golf course becoming defunct at the outbreak of WW2. I know little else about the history other than some of the area was an army rifle range in the 1940s”