Rushden Research Group: Rushden Golf Club

Rushden Golf Club

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Dr Owen—A keen sportsman, he played golf with the original Rushden Club in the Hall fields, and later was a member of the Rushden and District Club at Chelveston. He golfed until he was 83 years of age, and friends marvelled to see him driving up in his car, and going round the course with the vigour of a young man. He played tennis until well into the seventies.

The Rushden Echo, 29th April 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Golfers - Play and Dine - Interesting Gathering

The Rushden Golf Club, which was started in 1896, is in a flourishing condition, as was evidenced at the annual meeting yesterday (Thursday). There are now 50 members. In the afternoon a handicap was held on the links with the following result:—

	Receives	Scores	Total
Dr. Baker	16	63-60	122
Mr. W. Colson	16	61-61	133
Mr. Karn	16	68-65	134
Mr. Marriott	16	57-58	115
Dr. Panton	16	77-52	129
Dr. Owen	30	73-69	142
Mr. Heygate	50	76-78	154
Mr. Preston	50	85-96	181
Mr. Nattrass	60	120-118	233
Mr. Ashdowne, jun.	70	85-77	162

Mr. Ashdowne, jun., wins the handicap.

The annual meeting of the members took place last night, in the Church-room at the rear of the Coffee Tavern. Mr. Banks Skinner presided, and there were present:

The Rev. W. R. Morse (the Rector), Dr. Owen, Dr. Panton, Dr. Baker, Messrs. S. T. Karn, J. Wykes Ashdowne, Nattrass, Preston, W. D. Knight, King, W. Colson, C. Ernest Bayes, Ward, F. Newman, Oliver Claridge, Amos Cave, Arthur Cave, Fredk. Cave, G. H. Skinner, Webb, A. G. C. Vann, Ashdowne, jun., Claridge, W. H. Brawn, G. S. Mason, R. Marriott, G. Denton, jun., G. R. Turner, and Hirons. Mr. Claridge, Mr. Wetenhall, and others also wrote regretting their inability to be present.

Dr. Owen reported that the ladies' section would in future be carried on under distinct management. The ladies would collect their own subscriptions, and they had appointed Mrs. Morse president, Mrs. Owen secretary, and Miss Sanders treasurer. The half-guinea entrance fee was remitted for ladies.

The Balance Sheet,

submitted by Dr. Owen showed that the receipts up to Dec. 31st. 1896, were £21 10s. 6d,: to Dec. 31, 1897, £21 3s,: and to Feb. 13, 1898, £5 15s.6d., a total of £48 9s. Subscriptions now due amounted to £13 13s. After meeting the expenditure there was a balance in hand of £17 12s.6d. (Hear, hear) That did not include this year's subscriptions. The accounts were passed.

Mr. Karn proposed the re-election of Mr. Banks Skinner as president, that gentleman having worthily filled the office since the formation of the club. (Hear, hear.)

The Rev. W. B. Morse seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

Dr. Owen proposed the re-election of Mr. Morse and Mr. Karn as vice-presidents, which was seconded by Mr. Ashdowne and carried.

Mr. Karn proposed the re-election of Mr. Ashdowne as treasurer, which was carried,

Dr Owen said he had held the post of secretary for about three years and he thought it was about time he vacated the post for some more worthy gentleman. (“No, no”) He proposed that Mr. Karn be elected secretary.

This was seconded by Mr F. cave and carried, the Chairman remarking that Dr. Owen had rendered great service in bringing the club to such a successful issue. (Hear, hear.)

Dr. Baker was re-elected captain; Dr, Owen, Dr. Panton, and Messrs. Marriott, W. Colson, C. Claridge, Brawn, and Amos Cave were elected the committee: and Mr. Vann was appointed auditor. Mr. Fred Knight was added to the list of vice-presidents.

The Annual Dinner

was held under the presidency of Mr. Banks Skinner, an excellent repast being served by Miss Cox, of the Coffee Tavern.

After the loyal toast, Mr. Karn proposed "The Treasurer, Secretary, and Committee of the Rushden Golf Club." He said they all regretted losing the services of Dr. Owen as secretary.

Mr. Ashdowne and Dr. Owen replied, the latter mentioning that last year Mr. Banks Skinner promised a dozen balls to the winner of last year's handicap (Mr. R. Marriott).

The Chairman gave "Success to the Rushden Golf Club". After mentioning that golf had now been been taken up by the Americans, he referred to the Rushden links, and said that the last time he went round he was surprised, considering the small means at the disposal of the committee, to find how much the course had improved. The greens were fairly good, and on the whole there had been

A Vast Improvement

On the previous 12 months. This reflected great credit on their indefatigable secretary (Dr. Owen) and the committee. Having suggested one or two slight improvements, the speaker said that Rushden had always stood well in games. (Hear, hear) As far back as he could remember Rushden had one of the best cricket teams in the neighbourhood; and in football the town had obtained an almost world-wide notoriety. (Hear, hear) For the credit of the town he was sure the Rushden golfers would do their best. He was an enthusiastic believer in golf, for a good golfer was generally a good fellow. Golf was essentially a game for gentlemen for it was a game of honour. (Applause)

Dr. Baker having responded, Mr. Karn submitted “The Clergy and Ministers of all denominations”. They had, he said, recently had the pleasure of seeing and hearing their newly appointed Bishop in the parish church and they all appreciated his utterances. (Hear, hear) They were all glad that Mr. Morse was appointed to Rushden Vicarage. (Hear, hear)

Mr. Morse had identified himself not only with their spiritual welfare but with their games and sports. (Hear, hear) Like the Rector, the other ministers of the town were deserving of praise for the way they discharged their duties. (Hear, hear)

In replying, Mr. Morse said that golf was a game which had a great attraction for the clergy.

Mr. Ashdowne gave the health of "the President," and the toast having been received with musical honours, Mr. Banks Skinner replied, suggesting that the Golf Club should hold a ball or dance next season.

Mr. Ashdowne submitted "The Trade and Prosperity of Rushden." He hoped the trade would go on improving,

The Town Increasing,

and the business reputation kept up. He thought the holding of the agricultural show in Rushden would help the town. (Hear, hear)

Mr. Arthur Cave responded, and said that their firm had the interests of the town at heart, (Hear, hear)

Mr. G. H. Skinner proposed "the Visitors," and Mr. G. R. Turner replied.

Mr. F. Newman gave "the Press," to which Mr. C. Cross (Rushden Echo) responded.

Songs were given by several of the gentlemen present.

The Rushden Echo, 13th May 1898, transcribed by Kay Collins

GOLF CLUB — To encourage new members the entrance fee will not be enforced during this year.

Rushden Echo, 2nd April 1909, transcribed by Kay Collins

Golf Club for Rusden – New Links Opened

A new Golf Club has been formed in Rushden and the links, which have been laid down by Mr. R. Marriott, are now open for play. Over forty ladies and gentlemen have joined. The links are situated in the fields at the back of the late Mr. Thomas Brommage’s house in Upper Queen-street, the position being a very pleasant and healthy one.

The course is 2,500 yards round. There are nine holes, and the greens are a good size, several of them being 18 yards by 16.

There were a good number laying on Saturday last, when the links were first used, and all seemed delighted with the links. The members of the club are using the Thursday Cricket Club pavilion. This will be found very convenient for members to leave their clubs, etc., there. The best way to the course is up Queen-street.

This was the first trophy made by Bryan Barwick.
It depictis the layout of the 9 hole course.

Rushden Echo - June 1920

Rushden Golf Club held its first AGM. The cost of a pavilion and the laying out of the course was £1,347.

Rushden Echo, 24^th June 1921, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Police Court - Before Mr. Fred Knight

Horace Seamarks, an unemployed man, Commercial-street, Higham Ferrers, and Leonard Bishop, Warmonds Hill, Higham Ferrers, were charged with breaking into the Golf Club House, Chelveston-road, during the night of July 1^st-2^nd, and stealing two bottles of gin, two bottles of whiskey, one bottle of wine, and a quantity of other articles.

Inspector Hobell stated that when he arrested Bishop on Saturday evening last the man was drunk and incapable in Beaconsfield Terrace, Rushden, and he smelt strongly of spirits. On arresting Seamarks a cigarette case and pocket wallet found in his possession at the time of arrest had since been identified as some of the missing property.

Prisoners were taken to Northampton prison under remand until July 7 at 3p.m. at a special Court at Higham Ferrers.

08 June 1923 - Northampton Mercury

The annual meeting of the Rushden and District Golf Club was held at the Post Office Buildings, Rushden, on Friday evening. Mr. Owen Parker, M.P., presiding.

Rushden Echo, 7^th March 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins

The Rushden Golf Club held a whist drive and social in the Co-operative Hall on Tuesday, about 150 being present. Dr. Davies (secretary) carried out the duties of M.C.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 4th August 1933, transcribed by Kay Collins

Mr. P. Scott, of Rushden, while playing on the Chelveston links on Monday, holed out in one at the fifth hole (110 yards).

Rushden Echo & Argus, August 23^rd 1933, transcribed by Kay Collins

Mr Percy Scott of the Rushden Club, who recently joined the select circle of “holers-in-one.” Mr Scott has for the past two years been one of the eight to qualify to play off for the Northamptonshire Golf Union’s Summer Cup.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 17th August 1934, transcribed by Kay Collins

Holed In One - Rushden Golfer's Drive

Mr. J. Drabble, of Messrs. M. M. Drabble, the well-known Rushden builders, holed in one at the fifth on the Rushden and District Club's course at Chelveston on Saturday.

It is some time since such a feat has been accomplished, and since the course was opened only three or four players have done it.

The Rushden Echo, 10th October 1947, transcribed by Kay Collins

Rushden Golf Cup Winner
Winner of the Rushden and District Golf Club knock-out men’s singles competition for the “Wetenhall Cup” was Mr. J. S. Parker, who won by five and three. There were 36 entries. The final was played on Saturday over 18 holes between Mr. Parker and Mr. H. W. Woodley. It had been delayed owing to the illness of one of the semi-finalists.