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Llanwrtyd Wells Golf Courses, Powys. (1890s - 1965)

Two Courses; an early one at Dolcoed Hotel, and a later course at Abernant Lake Hotel.

Although the exact foundation date of the Dolcoed (sometimes spelt Dolecoed) Hotel club and course has still to be found we now have evidence of the club appearing in the late 1890s.

The golf course was laid out by W H Booth.

From the South Wales Post Tuesday 2 September 1941 - "The death has occurred of Mr W H Booth of Blackpill. A native of Gloucestershire Mr Booth came to Wales about 43 years ago in order to undertake the construction of the Llanwrtyd Wells golf course."

Advert for the Dolcoed Hotel in July 1898.

Radnorshire Standard Wednesday 13 July 1898. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

On the 1901 census James William Brown was living at Ffosyfegin Cottage, opposite the hotel, and it is believed that he worked as a green-keeper on the course. (Thanks to Linda Brown for this information.)

View from the Dolcoed golf course.

Layout of the eighteen-hole golf course at Dolecoed.

Interesting match played in August 1904.

Brecon and Radnor Express and Carmarthen Gazette Thursday 25 August 1904. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ordnance Survey Map from the 1900s showing the Dolecoed Hotel.

O.S. Map Revised 1903 t0 1904; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1905}.

King and his Navy and Army Saturday 10 September 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1914 the secretary was A J P Thompson,  Dolcoed Hotel, Llanwrtyd. An 18-hole course, the professional was S Wingate. Visitors’ fees were 1/- a day and 5/- a week. Visitors to the hotel had free use of the course. Sunday play allowed without caddies. The Station (LNWR) was ½ mile away.

Dolecoed Hotel and Golf Links. Postcard published by T B Lewis, LLanwrtyd Wells.

A scorecard cover from the first Llanwrtyd course.

Result of a match played on the Dolecoed Course in August 1922.

South Wales Daily Post Friday 11 August 1922. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The Dolecoed (early spelling) Hotel course was still in existence in September 1922 as the St David's, Lampeter golf team were to play Llanwrtyd over the Dolecoed course. 

Competition played on the Dolecoed course in February 1923.

Brecon County Times Thursday 1 March 1923.

In 1919 a new course was being laid out at the Abernant Hotel, the first tee and last green being adjacent to the Llangamarch Old Road. Bunkers were constructed but there were already plenty of natural hazards consisting of rushes, whins, banks and streams.

The nine-holes were as follows: Hole One, 330 yards; Two, 400 yards; Three, 290 yards; Four, 120 yards; Five, 420 yards; Six, 390 yards; Seven, 400 yards; Eight, 310 yards; Nine, 320 yards. The bogey for the nine holes was 39. It was intended eventually to add another nine holes, one of which would be 500 yards in length.

In 1923 the Abernant Lake Golf Club appears as a 13-hole course and Sunday play was allowed. The railway station at Llanwrtyd Wells (LNWR) was 500yds away.

Matches played in April 1923.

Brecon County Times Thursday 26 April 1923. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In May 1924 Mr S Rhys Griffith was elected captain of the club for the third year in succession. 

Results of matches played at Llangammarch Wells in May 1924.

Brecon County Times Thursday 29 May 1924.

In 1925 and 1928 it was proposed that the course at the Abernant Lake Hotel was to be extended from 13 to 18-holes. Visitors’ fees were 2/- a day. Sunday play was allowed without caddies.

Result of a match against Llandovery College played in June 1925.

Brecon County Times Thursday 18 June 1925.

Report on the second annual ball in December 1925.

Brecon County Times Thursday 24 December 1925. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Report on the annual meeting in 1926.

Brecon County Times Thursday 1 April 1926. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Brecon County Times Thursday 23 June 1927. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The 18-hole Putting Course at Abernant Hotel.

From 1931 to 1940 the secretary at Abernant Lake Hotel Golf Club was C Banzhaf. The green-keeper was G Blewitt. The intended extension of the course to 18-holes probably never materialised as it was now only listed as being 9-holes. Course records were: amateur D Morris (78); professional P Alliss (74); these records continued until 1965.

Result of a match played at Builth Wells in July 1933.

Brecon County Times Thursday 13 July 1933.

Competition result from August 1933.

Brecon County Times Thursday 17 August 1933.

Match played in September 1933.

Brecon County Times Thursday 28 September 1933. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Result of the Captain's Prize played in October 1993; Semi-finals; D R Jones beat A G Thomas and A Williams beat O G Thomas; Final; D R Jones beat A Williams at the nineteenth.

Result of a match played at Knighton in May 1934.

From 1947 to 1951 the secretary was H V Hughes of Barclays Bank Ltd, Llanwrtyd Wells. The greenkeeper was L Jones.

From 1952 to the club’s last appearance in 1965, the secretary at Abernant Hotel Golf Club was Rhys Davies, “Wylfa”, Llanwrtyd Wells. The greenkeeper was L Thomas. The 9 hole course had a SSS of 75 and Par 76. Membership throughout was 50. Visitors’ fees were 2/6d a day. Sunday play was allowed.

We would like to thank Huw Davies for sharing his family picture archive of Llanwrtyd Golf Club below. The trophies are engraved with the name of his grandfather, Albert Williams, a member of the club.

If anyone recognises the people in the pictures please get in touch vis the "Contact Us" facility on the website homepage.

Presentation to the Lady Champion?

Llanwrtyd members.

Albert Williams wearing a cravat standing behind the ladies seated on the left.

Presentation to Mr Chappie Morris in June 1927.

Albert Williams Captain's Prize in 1948.

Above trophies won by Albert Williams.

The Maps below show the location of the Abernant Lake Hotel and Golf Course.

Ordnance Survey Map from the time of WW2.

O.S. Map Revised 1948; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1952}.