LBGC Centenary Book - Flipbook - Page 15
Langland Centenary Book
15/2/05
6:08 pm
Page 13
The Langland Bay Golf Club had hardly commenced when it
seemed that it was doomed to close, for early in 1905
differences arose between the Club and the Estate Owners,
The Richardson Estate, caused by complaints from Mr. Gwynne,
their tenant of the farm, as to alleged wilful damage done to
fences by the players.These differences culminated in a notice
to terminate the Club’s lease from the Estate, and at about the
same time the Commoners at Court Leet sought to take
action which would prevent play on the cliff. The reason being
once again, alleged damage to fences, trespass in adjoining
fields, and general interference with the rights of Commoners.
The immediate effect of the notice from the Estate was to
prevent any mowing through the greens, consequently play was
impossible for several months.This situation brought forward a
suggestion which will be of interest to present-day members; it
was that the course be moved to Clyne Common, and a
number of preliminary steps were taken to achieve this.
Eventually, however, the Committee were able to secure the
Club’s previous rights, as Mr. Morgan Walters of the Langland
Bay Hotel took over the farm on a lease, and allowed the Club
the right to play golf not only on the fields then in use but also
on the remainder of the farmland, which Mr.Walters
undertook to lay down in permanent grass. Under this new
arrangement all hedges were to be “suitably dealt with”, no
cattle were to be grazed, thus obviating the need to fence the
greens, and Mr.Walters undertook to graze a “sufficiency of
sheep to keep the course in good trim”. Lastly, Mr.Walters
placed the cottage at the farm at the disposal of the Club
Members for use as a Clubhouse.
This cottage was the tiny two roomed building which was used
as the Professional’s shop until demolished in 1969 as part of a
rebuilding programme. As it was so small, it is perhaps
fortunate that the number of members, was at that time, also
very small, as there certainly wasn’t much room for use as a
Clubhouse.
In view of all these events, the Committee decided not to
proceed any further with the suggestion of changing the site of
the course; “owing to the very much improved conditions of
the Langland course, and the prospect of further improvements
in the near future they do not consider such a change would
be for the ultimate good of the Club”.The present condition of
our course and clubhouse certainly justify this far-seeing
decision of our Founders.The suggestion about Clyne
Common was, however, not dropped and crops up several
times in later minutes. Indeed, one member seems to have
Clyne Common in view as a sort of annexe to Langland Bay.
for providing the caddy. Still, it was probably less burdensome
to carry the then fashionable “drain pipe“ bags and hickory
shafted clubs than it is to carry today’s monstrous bags with
every thing but the kitchen sink on or in them!
The first meeting to discuss the formation of the Ladies
Section appears in a minute dated 18th October, 1905: “The
secretary to see Mrs. Furneaux and ask her to take steps to
call a meeting of lady members to appoint a Captain and
Committee and to arrange for a competition for a prize to be
provided by the Vice-Captain”. As the Vice-Captain at this time
was H.M. Peel it seems that this was the fore-runner of the
“Peel Cup” which is now played for annually as a mixed
foursome knock-out cup.The first Ladies Captain (and also
Secretary) was Mrs. Hilda Langdon-Thomas, and members of
the first Ladies Committee were Mrs. Coonan, Mrs. Furneaux,
Mrs. J.P. Gold and Mrs. H.H.Watkins.
The minutes of the meeting giving the above information end
on a piquant note (one incidentally not entirely unknown in
today’s minutes) when the Secretary was instructed to write to
two Vice-Presidents calling attention to the fact that they had
not paid their subscriptions. As both of these gentlemen were,
in fact, men of title and substance it seems strange that there is
no record of them ever accepting the office of Vice-President
or, more to the point perhaps, of them subsequently paying
their subscriptions.
One final quote from the minutes of 1905: “Resolved that an
offer of 2 donkeys and a girl, at 4/- per day to haul sand be
accepted”. What was the sand for, bunkers or general
cultivation? Surely 2 donkeys and a girl could not carry much
sand in a day? This, despite the fact that the Club could at that
time take sand from Langland Bay.These are questions which
now will never be answered.
A period of comparative stability now appears, although the
holes seem to have been regularly altered and now have a
“bogey” for each hole. Presumably the threatened
“handicapping” had been carried out. It is interesting to note
that the length of the course had been decreased by some 40
yards, the holes now being:
The Club Captain, Mr. R.E. Gold, announced his intention to
present a cup, and all members were circularised requesting
the return of three medal cards so that “handicapping may be
proceeded with”.This cup, the Gold Cup, is still one of of our
major competitions, and sometimes causes consternation when
the Gold Cup turns out to made of silver! The Gold Cup was
originally played for twice a year, and it is assumed that a
subsequent minute in October 1905, authorising the purchase
of “three or more cups at 3/- each”, is the first of our annual
trophy replica purchases. If they seem too cheap for five
replicas surely they are too expensive to be mere china cups.
Mr. Howe, from Glamorganshire Golf Club, was engaged as
professional on the same terms as mentioned in the
engagement of W.H. Booth, except that “he be allowed 3d. in
each 1/- on all playing money earned by him to pay for balls”.
Alas, Mr. Howe resigned the post after only four months, but
perhaps it was understandable. A caddy would not have
amassed much wealth either, the tariff was 4d. for nine holes,
6d. for eighteen holes, and the groundsman was to be paid 1d.
No.1
No.2
No.3
No.4
No.5
210
197
127
250
116
yards
yards
yards
yards
yards
Bogey
Bogey
Bogey
Bogey
Bogey
5
5
4
5
4
No.6
No.7
No.8
No.9
250 yards
340 yards
200 yards
80 yards
Bogey 4
Bogey 6
Bogey 5
Bogey 3
13
15
