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Blackpill Golf Club, Swansea. (1905 - WW2)
Founded in 1905, the course was located at Blackpill Burrows, between the coast and the Swansea and Mumbles Railway line. The Blackpill course was the home of the Swansea Golf Club in the 1890s.
The secretary and professional was listed as W H Booth he also held the course record of 31. Blackpill was a 9-hole course with a membership of 100. Sunday play was not allowed. The railway station at Mumbles Road (L&NWR) was 3 minutes away.
William Henry Booth the professional at Blackpill was born at Twyning in 1868. He served with the 2nd Battalion the Worcestershire Regiment. He was also patentee of the “Whippo Shafts”
Cambria Daily Leader Tuesday 21 May 1907. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Below is the result of a match played on the Aberavon links against Blackpill in September 1910.
| Aberavon & Port Talbot Golf Club | Blackpill Golf Club | ||
| J H Cound | 1 | H B Thomas | 0 |
| R P Bevan | 0 | C Johnson | 1 |
| M Gwyn Jenkins | 1 | T D Thomas | 0 |
| E M Jenkins | 1 | S Osborn | 0 |
| J E Jenkins | 1 | R A Jones | 0 |
| E T Tennant | 1 | S Jones | 0 |
| W R John | 1 | J Williams | 0 |
| Percy Jacob | 1 | T Cobb | 0 |
| W F Gibb | 0 | T Sims | 1 |
| S G O'Sullivan | 1 | B Jones | 0 |
| 8 | 2 |
In 1914 there was no entry fee and subs were 10/-. Visitors’ fees, on introduction by a member, were 1/- a day, 3/- a week, 5/- a month.
W H Booth joins in the war effort in 1915.
South Wales Daily Post Tuesday 31 August 1915. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Ordnance Survey Map showing the golf course at the time of WW1.
O.S. Map Revised 1913 to 1914; © Crown Copyright {year of publication 1921}.
In 1922 there was a slight increase in visitors’ fees to 1/- a day, 5/- a week, 10/- a month.
Match played in May 1923.
South Wales Daily Post Wednesday 16 May 1923. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
From 1926 to the club’s last year in 1948 visitors’ fees were 2/- a day, 5/- a week, 10/- a month.
From the Western Mail Friday 1 April 1927 - "Closing of the links proposed - Owing to the Blackpill links, near Swansea, not being sufficiently patronised, Mr Booth (the secretary and professional of this nine-hole course) has written to the Swansea Corporation stating that it is proposed to close the links."
It appears this threat was not carried through with the return of competitions in May 1927.
South Wales Daily Post Tuesday 31 May 1927. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In the final of the Oakleigh Cup in August 1927 C A Chappell played perfectly to defeat Arthur Rees by 11 and 10. Mr Chappell did the first nine-holes in 33.
At the annual meeting of the ladies' section in June 1929 Mrs Luce was elected captain and Miss Louise Davies vice-captain.
Reflection on the life of William H Booth in 1930.
South Wales Daily Post Wednesday 25 June 1930. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Club made by W H Booth for Arthur Conan Doyle
South Wales Daily Post Thursday 26 June 1930. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In September 1930 Mrs C A Luce (captain of the ladies' section ) presented two cups; The Oakleigh Cup (given by the late Mr J S Brown) was won by Mr Ivor Davies; The Luce Cup for ladies (given by Mr C A Luce) was won by Mrs Stephens.
South Wales Daily Post Thursday 11 May 1933. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
South Wales Daily Post Wednesday 25 April 1934. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Match played in July 1934.
South Wales Daily Post Wednesday 18 July 1934. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Herald of Wales Saturday 29 June 1935. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
South Wales Evening Post Wednesday 3 July 1935.
Letter to the newspaper in December 1935.
South Wales Daily Post Friday 13 December 1935. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
South Wales Daily Post Wednesday 20 May 1936. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
South Wales Daily Post Monday 13 September 1937. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
South Wales Daily Post Wednesday 28 June 1938. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
In January 1939 E W Booth holed in one at the 145 yard ninth hole. He was playing with the club captain G W Jones.
Report on the death of W H Booth in 1941.
South Wales Daily Post Tuesday 2 September 1941. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Report on the course following WWII.
South Wales Daily Post Friday 23 May 1947. Image © Reach PLC. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
A footgolf course eventually occupied the site of the former golf course.