|
It
seems entirely appropriate that this brief history of Prudhoe Golf Club be
composed in the Club’s 75th Anniversary year of 2005.
The
original group of founder members in 1930 included the following:
Chairman:
Mr Sidney Bates (owner of the then West Wylam Colliery)
Vice Chairman: Father Walsh
Other
Founders (Men)
G
Anderson, T Hirst, A Wilson, W Bolam, Mr Barker, F McMahon, KB Hood, B Hall,
Doctor McCoull, R Crowe and W Bird
Other
Founders (Ladies)
Mrs Bolam, I Murray, D Bell, M Appleby, D Douthwaite, R Douthwaite, Mrs McMahon,
D Stobart
Many
of the Club’s present and past members will know some of these names in
relation to trophies still played for every year.
Although not one of the founders, J Currey a local Turf Accountant of the
day donated the Currey Cup and the first winner was a founder, K B Hood who
defeated J Hall 3 & 2 in the then 36-hole final.
The
Club did not start its life at the present location.
For the first 4 years, the course was on land owned by the Colliery Farm,
this area today is to the rear of
Waterworld swimmimg complex.
The
first green-keeper is recorded as J Clarence and his assistant was R Brown.
No doubt they set the course standards members and visitors enjoy so much
now.
In
those early days, members and visitors could obtain the services of caddies, all
of whom wore a bronze badge engraved with PGC.
Those caddies received the princely fee of 4 or 8 old pence for 9 and 18
holes respectively. In new money that equates to 1.7p and 3.3p – how
times have changed!
During
1934, the Club moved to its present location paying £60 annually to sub-let the
land that was then, as it is now, owned by the Duke of Northumberland.
This arrangement continued until 1959 when the Club became direct tenants
of the Duke and signed a 21-year lease at an annual rent of £250.
James
Souter-Gray made the first competition honours board. He was woodwork master at
Eltringham School. As a sergeant in
the Royal Air Force, he was sadly killed in action in December 1941 and the
plaque on the board gives proper tribute to a great club member.
It
isn’t clear when the original clubhouse was constructed but in 1968 a new one
was planned. To ensure the brewery
could grant the necessary loans, the Duke sold the Club the strip of land from
the present 8th tee box to the top gate in the car park for just £100.
In
1971, more land was acquired next to Stanley Burn providing the opportunity to
create two new holes. These were the tee box that is now the 2nd and a
new green, no longer in existence, located close to and in front of the current
9th tee box. Now an 11
hole course the annual rent rose to £350.
Further
changes to the lease arose took account of the extension of the car park,
erection of the professional’s shop and the acquisition of the fields that now
comprise the 10th, 18th and the practice ground.
As
a sign of how times have changed, one of the earliest Annual General Meetings on
record is the 26th AGM held on Saturday 25th February 1956.
The revenue account for the year ended 31 December 1955 – and audited
by the appropriately named Mr Goodhand - showed the following financial
position:
Expenditure
£
Income £
Rent
& Rates
129
Subscriptions
182
Course expenses
256
Green fees
26
Club
house expenses
168
Balls & tees surplus
30
Admin/general expenses
131
Billiards
18
Depreciation
100
Buffet
381
Surplus
-
Misc. income
114
Deficit
33
784
784
The
Balance Sheet showed that the Club owed £329 and had assets of £1,054 that
included £432 cash. We can only
wonder what the annual subscriptions, visitors green fees and membership numbers
were back then!
Clearly, over the decades, Prudhoe Golf Club
has made enormous progress and this is a great tribute to the unselfish
dedication of the Club’s officials and staff and the loyal support of its
members, both past and present.
From
those small beginnings, the Club has developed a reputation for excellence that
has reached throughout the country. A
great course in fine condition and excellent clubhouse facilities are essential
ingredients. But mix these with a
genuinely friendly, welcoming and courteous atmosphere, where everyone feels a
part, then you have a truly great golf club.
So not just a Home of Champions a truly champion golf club.
Credit
for the facts on which this history is based is given to Dennis Jackson, a Past
President and Trustee.
|
