Chepstow Golf Club, Monmouthshire. (1910 - 1960)
The club was officially founded in 1914 with a course at Thornwell.
Following WW1 the club led a nomadic life with courses at Rogerstone Grange, Sedbury Park and Piercefield Park.
There is, however, evidence of an earlier club. The ladies match below was played in July 1910.
Chepstow Ladies' Golf Club | Forest of Dean Ladies' Golf Club | ||
Miss Clay | 1 | Miss L Langham | 0 |
Mrs Evil | 1 | Mrs Battle | 0 |
Mrs D Phillips | 1 | Miss Blanch | 0 |
Miss M King | 1 | Mrs D Langham | 0 |
Miss D Evans | 0 | Mrs R Adams | 1 |
4 | 1 |
Report on the opening of the Thornwell course in July 1914.
The professional into the early 1920s was C Powell.
Location of the Thornwell golf course and clubhouse in the early 1920s.
The Thornwell course is clearly marked on the centre of the above.
To complicate matters further regarding the location of the course - The monthly medal and Davis Cup competitions were played at "Rogerstone" in July 1914. Senior Medal (handicap to 12) - W C Baddeley, 86-7-79; T W Pearson, 86-6-80; C Kendrick, 89-9-80; J W Hunt, 91-11-80; E E Phillips, 92-12-80; W J Winfield, 89-7-82. Junior Medal (handicap 13 on) - A Jones, 88-13-75; G T Tomlinson, 94-18-76; T H Reynolds, 91-14-77; F A Carter, 9515-80. Davis Cup - A Jones, 88-13-75.
In 1922 (listed as Chepstow Golf Club) the secretary was A Brown, 23 St Mary Street, Chepstow. The professional was J Handy (1923 - 1926) and the green-keeper T Henry. A 9-hole course with a membership of 150. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 5/- a week and 15/- a month. The station at Chepstow was 1 mile away. Local hotel was the George.
The Chepstow Racecourse in Piercefield Park came into being in August 1926. This had an effect on the Chepstow Golf Club as part of the golf course would be required in the construction of the racecourse.
At the annual meeting in February 1927 it was decided to move to Rogerstone Grange.
In February 1927 the captain's prize was won by 15-year old Reggie Hughes, son of the Vicar of Chepstow, Rev. D Hughes. The winner beat J Owen in the final by 2 holes.
Report on the opening of the new golf course in March 1927.
In 1928 the secretary was the Reverend W Coonan, 4 Mount Pleasant, Chepstow. Although membership had reduced to 120. 18-holes. Visitors’ fees were now 2/6d a day, 7/6d a week, 21/- a month.
In 1930 the club was still appearing at Rogerstone Grange. The secretary was J Owens, 12 Portwall Road, Chepstow. The professionals were W J Trickett (1927 - 1930) and G C Goodlad (1930/1), and the green-keeper was G Kitson. Membership now stood at 130. Fees were as before, and Sunday play was allowed. The station at Chepstow was 2 ½ miles away from the course. Local hotel was the Beaufort Arms which was reputed to be the last stopping place of George Borrow on his famous tour of Wales.
The opening of the re-constructed course at Sedbury Park in February 1932.
Group photograph at Sedbury Park in June 1932.
In 1935 Chepstow - Sedbury Park Golf Club was appearing. The secretary was M Horan, Mount Pleasant, Chepstow. the professional was G Gainey and the green-keeper W Neville. A 12 hole course. The railway station at Chepstow was 2 miles away. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day, 3/6d at weekends and Bank Holidays, 10/- a week and 21/- a month.
In the 1940 Golfer's Handbook the secretary was H Swinney, Bethdour, The Look Out, Chepstow. Telephone number 382. The professional was R J Burcher. Now a 9-hole course, membership was 100. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day, 7/6d a week and 15/- a month. Local advertised hotel was the Sedbury Park.
Sedbury Park taken over by the Home Office in 1941.
The club appeared in the 1947 Golfer's Handbook with the same information as 1940.
The Chepstow Golf Club return to Piercefield Park following WW2.
The Captains drive-in April 1950.
In 1951 the secretary was O D Saxon, c/o Barclays Bank, Chepstow. The club had 9-hole course and a membership of 70. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day and 7/6d a week. Sunday play was allowed. The station at Chepstow was 2 miles away.
In 1955 the joint secretaries were I J Hoare and I Thomas, 11 Beaufort Square Chepstow. The green-keeper was G Kitson. The 9-hole course had a SSS of 69 and length of 5,000yds. Club membership was 100. Visitors’ fees were now 2/6d a round, 3/6d a day, 7/6d a week and 15/- a month. Local hotels were the Beaufort, Tintern and Kings Head.
Changes to the course in 1957.
In 1960 the club was still listed as Chepstow Golf Club, Piercefield Park, with a foundation date of 1947. Joint secretaries were I J Hoare and H Sweeting, the professional was Tim Hodson and the green-keeper G Kitson. Still a 9-hole course of 5,000yds, SSS was now 68. Visitors’ fees were 3/6d a round, 5/- a day, £1 a week and £1/10/0 a month with Sunday play.
By 1964 the only Chepstow club was the current St Pierre Golf Club, founded 1962.
The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the location of the courses at Rogerstone Grange (top left and Piercefield Park (bottom right).
The Ordnance Survey Map below shows the golf course at Sedbury Park.