Scarborough Town Golf Club (1903 - 1920)
Work commenced on the Pavilion and Links in the early part of 1903. The Pavilion stood close to the location of the present clubhouse.
The first hole was played in the opposite direction to that of the current 18th and veering to the right (the houses overlooking the 18th were not built at this time), holes 2, 3 and 4 continued in the same direction, climbing the embankment which is to the Oliver's Mount side of the present 17th hole and on in the direction of Eastfield.
Holes 5, 6 and 7 criss-crossed the beck in the valley beyond where the present 16th hole is situated. Holes 8, 9, 10 and 11 were played on the far side of the beck. Hole 12 came back over the beck playing towards Oliver's Mount. Holes 13 to 17 were played towards the current practice area, which in part is included in the present course forming holes 15 and 16. A turn to the left and the 18th hole was played back towards the pavilion. The present putting green is approximately where the 18th green was.
The green was surrounded by wires on posts to keep out animals, with stiles to gain access. The overall length of the course at 4537 yards was short by modern standards but it compared with other courses of that time. Today's golfer wouldn't find the course a great challenge because of the advancements in club and ball design. But we would find it more difficult trying to put the ball in the hole. In those days the the courses were not as well manicured as we take for granted now.
The terrain beyond the present 16th green where a substantial part of the 1903 course was located must have been somewhat similar to what it is now. Minutes reveal that when they started to play the course, removal and control of whin bushes was an ongoing task.
Most modern golfers dislike artificial tees (mats) during winter when the regular tees are being rested. In the early days, 'Appleton' artificial tees were used in winter and for special matches in the summer.
The course was played for a few weeks prior to the official opening, until the pavilion was completed. Then on the 5th August 1903 the pavilion and links were formally opened by Lady Londesborough.
The opening was celebrated with an exhibition match between:-
- T Williamson (Nottingham)
- F. Beck (Filey)
- J Taylor (Redcar)
- W Gaudin (The Club Professional)
Report from the Evening News 5th August 1903
"The Pavilion is a wooden structure intended to be only temporary. It contains a central hall; there is a ladies' dressing room and a gentlemen's changing room, each with locker facilities. A kitchen is situated at the rear from which it is intended to provide cold lunches and afternoon teas. A veranda faces south and west. At some future date, if the club flourishes, it is intended to erect a pavilion of a more permanent character in brick and stone."
The pavilion was situated close to where the present clubhouse stands, but it was 27 years before a new pavilion was built, which is the current building.
The course was referred to as a links, which was the way many courses were described in those days, it was not a links in the true sense. St. Andrews, Cleveland Golf Club and others like it are true links; they occupy sandy ground which links the land with the sea.
It took 8 months from the start of the course development until the first game was played, which was about the normal time to develop a course at that time. Today it is doubtful that one hole could be developed in this time.
The Right Honourable The Earl of Londesborough was elected to be the first President of the Club. The club's affairs were managed by a committee consisting of three Directors of the Limited Company, The Captain, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer and eight Club members. Matters of detail concerning only the Ladies Section were arranged by a Ladies' Committee consisting of the Lady Captain, Hon. Secretary and five Lady members.
The entrance fee for Gentlemen was fixed at one guinea (£1.05p) and the subscriptions one guinea also; the Ladies' fees were half these amounts. Also, no play was permitted on a Sunday.
They either didn't get as many members as the thought or they didn't have the services of an accountant, because within a very short time they realised the subscriptions had been set too low and were insufficient for the needs of the club. A special General Meeting was help in April 1904 where they decided to double the subscriptions and to allow play on Sundays.
The Tennis Club
Although a considerable sum was expended on the Tennis Club, it was never really a success and was wound up with the lease of the land surrendered. The Company kept its original title but concentrated solely on Golf.
As mentioned earlier the first Professional to the Club was W. C. Gaudin, a member of a well known Jersey golfing family. In 1905 he left to go to Portrush and Arthur Day was appointed in his place.
In addition to the Professional the Company employed a Housekeeper, a Stewardess and 5 Greenkeepers to which the annual wage bill was approximately £500. By the end of the decade the total membership had reached 320 and about 3,000 visitor tickets were issued each year.
During the early years a number of distinguished golfers played the course. Harry Vardon, James Braid and J. H. Taylor as well as the Open Champion of 1907, Arnaud Massey of the La Boulie Club. During the 21 years preceding the First World, Vardon, Braid and Taylor dominated the Open Championship, taking the title 16 times between them that they became known as "The Great Triumvirate"
On the 6th August 1908 the course was visited by the Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia, whoe were staying with Lord and Lady Londesborough in connection with the opening of the Marine Drive. Another visit by royalty to the course took place on the 9th September 1910, when Prince Henry of Prussia, the Kaiser's brother, played a round with Prince Munster Van Dernberg.
On the 25th August 1908, an exhibition match took place between James Braid, who had recently won the Open at Prestwick, Edward Ray and Harry Vardon who were 3rd and 5th at Preswick respectively and our Club Pro, Arthur Daly. The match was played over 36 holes with the scores of each being; Braid 71-70, Ray 65-73, Vardon 71-76 and Day 71-78.