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Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. (1893 - 2014)

The club was originally founded in 1893.

Records show that on the 30 January, 1897 the Commissioners of Woods, Forests and Land Revenues formally granted a licence to the Ffestiniog Golf Club.

Also known as Clwb Golff Ffestiniog.

The history of the club was spread over two distinct periods; from 1893 to 1935 and from 1967 to closure in March 2014. In 1935 the original Ffestiniog Golf Club ceased to function mainly due to the general depression of the 1930s and the remoteness of the course. When the club closed in 1935 the course reverted to its ancient role of a public recreation area and mountain sheep grazing for five farmers.

The nine-hole course had many natural features and hazards. It was situated on the outskirts of Ffestiniog Village about 900 feet above sea level, Clwb Golff Ffestiniog was one of the highest golf courses in Wales, with stunning views of Ffestiniog and of the surrounding area stretching all the way to the North Wales coast.

 
Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Early view of the course.

Early postcard of the Ffestiniog course.

 

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Festiniog (sic) Golf Club; Instituted 1898; Membership 40; Hon. Secretary - R J Griffith, "Erw," The Square, Blaenau Ffestiniog; Captain, Lewis Lloyd; Entrance fee, nil; Subs 7s/6d; Nine-holes; Amateur course record, Lewis Lloyd, 68 (18-holes); Visitors, 1 shilling a day, 2s/6d a week. A beautifully situated course, with excellent natural bunkers, and kept in good order.

In May 1905 Lord Newborough presented a silver cup to the value of £25 for competition.

From the 1928 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 80; Hon. Secretary - R Isaac Parry, Minycoed; Green-keeper, D Thomas; Nine-holes; Course records; Amateur - J T Own, 33; Professional - R Williams, 34; Visitors, Gents, 1s/6d a day, 5s a week; Ladies, 1s a day, 3s a week; No Sunday play.

On the 13 September 1967 a public meeting was held at Ffestiniog Hall to discuss and  to test the feeling of the locals as to the need of a golf club. There was a good response and a steering committee was established to re-open the old golf course.

 

Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Report on the new course in June 1970.

Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition) Thursday 25 June 1970. Image © Reach plc.

 

Golfer's Handbook 2009; Membership 138; Secretary, A Roberts; 9-holes, 4,750 metres, Par 68, SSS 66; Visitors, £10.

The club continued to be listed in the Golfer's Handbook until it ceased publication in 2015. The secretary at this time was G Hughes.

 

Clwb Golff Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Course scorecard local rules.

 

Clwb Golff Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Course scorecard course plan.

 

Clwb Golff Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Course scorecard.

 

The par 68 course (below) measured 4,602 metres from the Gents Tees and 3,878 metres from the Ladies Tees.

 

Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Course scorecard.

Scorecard.

 

Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. Course layout.

Course layout.

 

Due to lack of finances the club finally closed on the 31 March 2014. The following message appeared on the club website “Due to continuing losses the Club Committee has regrettably decided that the club is to close at the end of March 2014.”

 

FFestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. The Newborough Cup.

Above the Ffestiniog club secretary, Glyn Hughes, returns the Newborough Cup to Lord Newborough for display at Rhug.

 

Welcome to Ffestiniog Golf Club.

Welcome to the course. Authors Collection.

 

Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. The clubhouse.

The clubhouse. Authors Collection.

 

Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. The first hole.

On the first tee, green centre middle. Authors Collection.

 

Ffestiniog Golf Club, Gwynedd. The ninth hole.

Approach to the ninth green. Authors Collection.