Lobden Golf Club
Lobden Moor
Whitworth
OL12 8XJ
Tel: 01706 343228
Lobden Golf Club
Founded 17th May 1888
Lobden Golf Club - Our History
The Early Years - 1920's
At a meeting held at the Red Lion on
22nd October 1922 the Secretary read a letter from Mr Hartley and it
was decided to call a General Meeting of members for Wednesday 25th
October to discuss and decide whether Sunday play should be allowed
on the Links.
The letter read as follows:
Herbert Taylor Esq.
Oakenrod
Rochdale
Dear Herbert,
I have received your letter of yesterday's date. I have seen Mr
Hartley again to-day and it appears that he missed Mr Dearden when
his ship was in port and that he wrote him only last Saturday
mentioning the Lobden Golf Club matter amongst other matters. It may
be some time of course before Mr Hartley hears from Mr Dearden
because his ship has been ordered to the Mediterranean. Mr Hartley
has, however, kindly consented to say on his own responsibility,
that the members of the Lobden Golf Club may play golf on Sundays on
two conditions:- 1. That the rent from the 1st November be increased
to 5 guineas, and 2. That it is understood that if Mr Dearden
objects to Sunday Golf, it shall be stopped at once on hearing from
Mr Hartley.
Yours faithfully
C B Hudson
At the meeting the motion was carried 27 votes to 3 that Sunday play
be allowed on Mr Hartley's conditions. It was also agreed that the
committee should draw up restrictions governing Sunday play.
A committee meeting held the same night resolved that the following
restrictions be adopted:
1. That there be no Sunday labour employed.
2. That no Caddies be employed.
3. That no other games be played inside or outside the clubhouse.
4. That visitors be allowed to play on the course on Sunday's if
accompanied by a member who will be personally responsible for their
fees and must enter their names in the Visitor's Book, the fee for
Sunday play to be 2/6d.
It it worth noting that Mr Frank Taylor objected to the original
letter being sent to Mr Hartley as he did not wish that golf be
played at Lobden on Sunday's.
In January 1924 the membership stood at Gents 83, Ladies 50 and the
Club credit balance was 17s.1d. The fees were entrance fee - Gents
£4.4s.0d, subscription fee £2.2.0d. The Ladies £2.2s.0d and £1.1s.0d
respectfully. These fees remained the same until 1927 when they were
reduced by 50%. Bentley was the professional or greenkeeper, his
wage being 50/- per week to the end of the growing season.
Matches were played against Rochdale and Bacup, the Opening Day was
the Captain's Team against the Ex-Captain's Team.
It was agreed that the Victory Cup would have an additional memento
of £1.1.0 and the Allan Stevens Shield would be placed in the
clubhouse. In February 1924 is was decided that the tee boxes be
numbered and marked with the yardage length of the hole. Later this
month it was decided that Bentley be engaged under the new
professional. Mr A Howard of Lytham Green Drive and Mr Burton of
Darwen were interviewed for the position. Mr Howard was appointed at
a wage of £2.5s.0d per week, to be increased to £2.7s.6d per week in
six months and that his appointment be for 12 months.
Mr Howard put forward his recommendations for improvements to the
committee, 10 tons of sand and a hole cutter were ordered. At this
time the old horse mower was sold for £2. It was agreed that the
No.6 hole would be lengthened by 60 yds by making a new tee to the
right and lower than the present one. A decision to provide horse
boots for the horses whilst working on the course was later
rescinded. Mr Howard's wife was allowed free use of the greens.
In May 1924 all handicaps were revised up, 0-10 one added, above 10
two added, except Albert Hill who played off scratch. In the first
two weeks of the season he won competitions with 73-2= 71 and the
following week 72-1=71. Two weeks after being reduced to scratch he
won the President's Cup with a gross 156 for 36 holes.
Hoof prints and wires around the greens were constant problems for
the committee's. In August Mr Howard the professional was given 3
months notice.
Mr Frank Taylor was elected as Captain in 1925 and a vote of thanks
was passed for his offer to provide a polished board in the
clubhouse to record the list of Captain's of Lobden Golf Club. The
handicap limit at this time was 22 and all handicaps were increased
by two.
Picture right Mr Frank Bussy
& Mr Frank Taylor
The new 6th tee was brought into play in 1925. Matches were arranged
against Rochdale and Tunshill. In August of this year it was agreed
to accept in principle the Standard Scratch Score and a quarryman
was engaged for one week in October to clear stones from the
fairways.
The AGM for 1926 was held at the Flying Horse in Rochdale on 20th
January attended by the Captain Mr Richard Ashton and 24 other
members. Membership stood at Gents 90, Ladies 43. The Treasurers
report showed a credit balance of £13.17s.4d. It was agreed that a
handicap committee would be appointed to consist of the Captain,
Secretary and three other members. It was agreed that the No.9 hole
would be re-measured and that Mr E M Slack would keep records of all
competition scores. The present bogey of 70 was considered
satisfactory with a par of 68 and that No. 7 and 16 holes be a par 4
and bogey 4. The shelter near the No.7 tee required repairs and the
No.2 & No.4 greens attention owing to damage by birds. Matches were
arranged against Tunshill and Heywood.
On 1st July 1926 it was agreed to reduce the entrance fee to
£2.0s.0d for the month of July.
Bentley was brought before the committee to explain the
unsatisfactory mowing of fairways and greens.
On 22nd July 1926 it was agreed that details would be obtained
regarding a licence for the sale of intoxicants. A burglary around
this time would not be paid by the insurers owing to the exposed
position. It was agreed that Bentley be given a week's holiday each
year in future without pay.
The half-year rent of two guineas was payable to the Lord of the
Manor and £4.1s.6d paid for use of horse. A letter was sent to James
Hartley, Hindle Pastures Farm asking him not to allow his horse to
trespass on the Links. Mr Frank Taylor's photograph, a gift from Mr
Edward Healey was accepted with thanks by the committee to be hung
in the clubhouse. Members were asked to donate a maximum of 2s.6d
towards a present for Mr Fletcher Chadwick for services to the club
as Secretary on him leaving the district.
In December 1926 it was decided that a 'Social Committee' be formed
comprising four ladies and four gentlemen, to arrange all social
events for the club with all profits to be handed to the Hon.
Treasurer for use of the club. The Ladies will be given an amount of
£7 or £8 at the beginning of the season for their own expenses and
any balance left will be handed back to the club at the end of the
season. A letter was sent to the Chairman of the Highways and
Lighting Committee, Whitworth Urban District Council regarding the
condition of Whitworth Rake asking who is responsible for the upkeep
of same.
Mr H T Norris was elected Captain for 1927. The entrance and
subscriptions were set at 50% of the previous year. Rule XI was
altered to read 'Visitors Fees' in lieu of 'Friends'. Green Fees -
ordinary days 2/- each per day, competition days 5/- each per day,
Sunday's 2/6d and evening play (Monday to Friday inclusive) 1/-
after 6pm if introduced by a member. Opening Day was set 2nd April
with a match between the Captain's Team against the Ex-Captain's
Team as usual. All handicaps were increased by two with the limit
remaining at 22. Matches against Tunshill and Heywood were not
accepted, it being passed at the previous meeting that 'no club
matches be played this season'. A 'Country Membership' was passed at
£2.2s.0d. Insurance covering employment, cups and third party were
£7.1s.8d. Following a 88-22=66 Mr H Schofield's handicap was reduced
by 4 shots to 18.
On Wednesday 4th May 1927 a letter was read from Mr Frederick Lye
saying: 'It was 21 years since he first became Captain of Rochdale
Golf Club, and he would like to give a prize to the Ladies &
Gentlemen of the Lobden Golf Club'. It was resolved that the prizes
be accepted and that Mr Lye be thanked for his kind offer. The
Gentlemen's prize be played for on the President's Cup Day Saturday
23rd July 1927 on handicap terms for the first 18 holes, and the
President's Cup competition be completed by a second 18 holes making
36 with no handicap.
Picture (left): Mr Frederick Lye - Captain Rochdale GC 1906 and
Lobden GC in 1908.
Caddies rules were posted in the Caddies hut.
The application for Whitworth Parish Church for the use of the Links
for Whit-Friday was granted.
The Mixed Foursomes played on 30 July 1927 was tied - no card
play-off in those days - the two pairs played an 18 hole play-off!
The day also included a 'Putting Competition' and a 'Tub Pitching
Competition'.
The Captain's Final was also tied and the play-off or replay was
over a further 36 holes!
