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Pontypool Golf Club, Tranch Course. (1903 - 1920)
Founded in 1903.
Report on the new golf club in April 1903.
Pontypool Free Press Friday 24 April 1903. With thanks to the National Library of Wales. All rights reserved.
Pontypool Free Press Friday 22 May 1903. With thanks to the National Library of Wales. All rights reserved.
The course opened on the 4 June 1903 with the opening game being played by Mr Reginald McKenna and Mr Lloyd George. Willie Fernie advised on the layout of the nine-hole course.
Western Mail Friday 5 June 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of a foursome competition played in May 1904; S Jenkins and A R Linging, 101; A C Fowler and A H Bailey tied for second with R Herbert and A H Gittins, 107.
Western Mail Tuesday 13 September 1904 - "Play upon the Pontypool Golf Links of late has revived, and in the 18-hole medal played on Saturday, Mr E Bailey won with a net score of 95."
The following is from the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Pontypool & District Golf Club; Instituted 1903; Membership of 90; Joint hon. secretaries - T B Pearson, Frosmont House, Pontypool, and A C Fowler, Hill Grove, Pontypool; Captain, T B Pearson; Entrance Fee £1/1s and Subs £1/1s; Nine-holes; Professional, T Tate; Professional record - W Fernie, 45; Amateur record - E G Bailey, 50; Visitors' fees - 1s a day, Thursday and Saturday, 2s, 5s a week. The course is a long one, one and three quarter miles, and very sporting in character. Mountain turf dry even after the heaviest rain. The pavilion stands 1,000ft above sea-level and the top green nearly 1,200ft. The whole course affords splendid views of the surrounding country and of the Bristol Channel.
Result of a match played at Ross-on-Wye in February 1905.
Ross Gazette Thursday 23 February 1905. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In March 1905 Mr Hanbury presented the club with a silver challenge cup to be played for annually.
Pontypool Free Press Friday 12 May 1905. With thanks to the National Library of Wales. All rights reserved.
The first final of the Hanbury Cup was played in June 1905. In the final W Davis (26) defeated S Jenkins (16) by 2up.
In May 1907 the club professional T Tate, was presented with a suitably inscribed gold watch, he would be leaving the club in the near future.
Pontypool Free Press Friday 12 July 1907. With thanks to the National Library of Wales. All rights reserved.
The Tranch course was situated in a remote spot alongside the Coch Y North Road, there was a basic tin-clad clubhouse but the biggest problem was the accessibility. Because of this a group of members decided to move away and join the Panteg Golf Club at New Inn in 1908 (see separate entry for the history of Panteg Golf Club now defunct).
Holiday Competitions in April 1908.
Pontypool Free Press Friday 24 April 1908. With thanks to the National Library of Wales. All rights reserved.
Report on the annual meeting in May 1908.
Pontypool Free Press Friday 29 May 1908. With thanks to the National Library of Wales. All rights reserved.
In November 1909 the first round of the Allmark Cup, presented Mr A H Allmark was played; H L Jones beat A H Moseley by 3 and 1, and D C Udell beat W H Hughes by 5 and 4.
Western Mail Tuesday 3 May 1910. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In a nine-hole medal competition played June 1911 three players tied for first place; Harry Owen, A Jenkins and A H Bailey all scored 43 net.
Report on the annual meeting in 1912.
Western Mail Friday 7 June 1912. Image © Trinity Mirror. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Undated postcard of the "Tin Clad Clubhouse" and Golf Links, Pontypool. Published by T A Jones, Tobacconist and Fancy Dealer, 2 Crane Street, Pontypool.
At the annual meeting in May 1915 it was stated that of 13 member who had joined his Majesty's forces, four had been killed in action.
Report on the annual meeting in May 1919. Mention of a move to a new course.
Western Mail Wednesday 7 May 1919.Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Ordnance Survey Map showing the remote Tranch Golf Course and Clubhouse.
O.S. Map Revised 1917; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1922}.
The Pontypool club moved to its present location at Trevethin in the early 1920s.