History of Roundhay Golf Club
Roundhay Golf Club – The Beginning
One of the great mysteries of golf in Leeds is trying to discover where the first Roundhay Golf Club was. Interwoven in the history of golf in Leeds is the name of Roundhay, it was on Soldiers field in Roundhay that the first golf ball was struck in the Leeds district.
In 1890, these players and some others rented the horse pastures which now form the top nine of the present course of Leeds Golf Club, or "Cobble Hall" as it is more affectionately known locally. They played there until 1893 when they left and fashioned a nine-hole course on the low side of the Wetherby Road, naming it Roundhay Club.
In 1896 several gentlemen met in the Gipton Wood Inn and decided to form a golf club. They obtained the lease of Cobble Hall from the local council at a rent of £25 per annum. After some deliberation, they decided to name this club Leeds Golf Club.
The old Roundhay Club was merged with the Leeds Golf in 1900.
Mystery number 1, according to the Yorkshire Golf Union handbook the Yorkshire Championship was played at Roundhay Golf Club in 1907. Experts like Charles Scatchard, the former Golf Correspondent of the Yorkshire Evening Post, believed it might have been a mistake on the part of a past editor who really meant Leeds (Cobble Hall) Golf Club which is within the pale of Roundhay Park.
Another possibility is that a small club existed on the field opposite what is now Braime Wood School on Wetherby Road, known as Miss Nicholson’s field. An aerial photograph showed what might have been bunkers and greens. But attempts to find out anything further have come to nought. It would seem strange that a small, say nine hole, course was chosen for such an important championship.
Another interesting twist is Roundhay Club’s first golf professional, Tommy Renouf.
Tommy Renouf was a Jersey - born professional golfer who came to England and established himself as a prominent player of his era. He had five top 10 finishes in the Open Championship and could boast of a victory over the great Walter Hagen.
His first post was at the Roundhay club in Leeds, from where he went to Shipley. After only a short spell at Shipley he moved to Carlisle and Silloth in 1898, where he was to remain for 8 years, during which time he helped in the progress of one of golf's great lady golfers, Cecil Leitch. In 1901 the Professional Golfers Association was formed, and Renouf became a founder member. His ability was recognised with 6 England caps between 1903 and 1911, and a fine record of 7 wins in 10 matches against Scotland.
Roundhay Golf Course – The Resurrection
So let us allow the mystery to remain and accept that the first official round of golf played on today’s Roundhay Park golf course was on the 7th July, 1922.
Work on the course started in 1914 just before the start of the Great War and it was completed in the following year but play never took place for as soon as it was finished, the fairways were ploughed up and used for food production to help the war effort. This was to happen on many courses including that of our neighbours at Leeds (Cobble Hall) Golf Club. It was another seven years before a ball was struck off the first tee. Incidentally the first tee is where the present one is although many current members still remember it for many years being at the other side of the professional shop.
It was a great day for local golfers in many ways. Not only was it an additional course to play, and even in those days there was talk of overcrowding on the city’s fairways, but it was the first municipal course in Leeds albeit one of only nine holes. Others were to follow but Roundhay was the first and it meant the realisation of a dream for one man in particular.
Alderman Alf Masser (pictured below) was the Chairman of the Leeds City Council’s Parks Committee. He was a keen golfer himself and took the view that it was a sport that should be available to anyone. Success in golf at either amateur or professional level should be the right of working folk and not just those who could afford to join a private club. Only in Scotland, the home of golf, was there the opportunity for what was called ‘the man of small purse’ to play golf. Alf Masser set out to do the same for Leeds. He drove the first ball on the new course in 1922 and it was open to anyone to play at one shilling and sixpence for a day’s sport. Later that year it was dropped to a shilling..
The success at Roundhay led to two things. First there was a call for a clubhouse which was responded to and opened in that first year at a cost of £1,850. The original building is still in use and whilst there have been extensions, the same core building and view from the course remains the same.
Secondly, the demand for more municipal courses and work soon began on the first of the two 18-hole courses at Temple Newsam. The first opening in 1923 and the second some two years later. Further courses opened at Gotts Park in Armley and in Middleton Park in 1933, thus providing courses north, south, east and west of the City of Leeds.
Clubhouse 24th October 1922
Clubhouse 5th September 1938
Roundhay Golf Club – The Resurrection
Following construction of the municipal golf course at Roundhay, a meeting was held at The Hotel Metropole, Leeds on the 8th of February 1923 with thirty three people present, Mr A G Baker of the Yorkshire Post presided and the Leeds Municipal Golfers Club was formed.
On the 16th February 1923 the next meeting was held, again at the Hotel Metropole and Mr A G Baker was voted into the office as Chairman. Club rules were drawn up and subscription fixes at 5/- shillings. Alderman C H Wilson JP, the Lord Mayor of Leeds was proposed as the first president and of the eight Vice Presidents proposed there were notable names such as Dr Alistair Mackenzie and Alderman Alf Masser.
It is believed that Dr Mackenzie was involved in the design of Roundhay Municipal golf course. Along with the two ‘Mackenzie’ greens that are still present today, the fact that he was elected as a Vice President would add credence to this.
6th (Pullpit) Green 24th October 1922 (Mackenzie Style)
Although Leeds Municipal Golfers Club was formed not long after the opening of Roundhay Municipal Golf Course, its intention was to be a club for all the municipal golf courses in Leeds which would soon include Temple Newsam, Middleton and Gotts Park .
All was progressing well with the new club, membership was increasing and trophy’s had been donated by the Yorkshire Post and Schweppes. Application had also been made to join the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs and Leeds and District Union of Golf Clubs in March 1923.
With the opening of Temple Newsam in 1923 followed closely by the construction of its own clubhouse LMGC formed separate sections at both golf courses reporting back to the main club committee.
At the meeting held in February 1925 the first mention of separate course committees was raised and after lengthy discussion regarding club rules etc. it was decided to hold a Special General meeting on the 13th March 1925.
At the meeting on the 13th it became apparent that there was concern over LMGC entering inter-club competitions and which of the two courses would be represented. It was decided that both courses would in future enter teams in the Leeds & District Union Championship and a single team from LMGC would enter the Yorkshire Union Second Division Team Championship.
This in a way was the start of the demise of Leeds Municipal Golf Club.
In October 1925 at the meeting held at 10 Park Square, LMGC received a letter of resignation from 83 members of the Roundhay Section.
In the minutes of the meeting of 6th January 1926 the Secretary of LMGC raised the question of subscriptions to the Leeds & District Golf Union; Mr Kirkaldy (Secretary of Roundhay Golf Club) stated that subscription for 1925 membership had not been paid. This is the first ever mention of a separate golf club at Roundhay.
It was announced at the AGM of the 15th January that the Roundhay section had split from the Leeds Municipal Golfers Club and created its own independent golf club known as Roundhay Golf Club.
With only Temple Newsam remaining it is unclear exactly when LMGC ceased to exist.
Meeting Minutes exist until April 1926 which is when Temple Newsam followed Roundhay’s lead and formed their own golf club.
So in summing up, the club we know today as Roundhay Golf Club was formed between the 6th and 15th January 1926………………unless anyone knows more!!!!!
If you are not yet bored after reading the above, below are some notable points from Leeds Municipal Golf Club meeting minutes which were found in the loft of the club house.
16th February 1923 – Hotel Metropole
Mr A G Baker was voted into the office as Chairman.
Club rules were drawn up and subscription fixes at 5/- shillings.
Alderman C H Wilson JP, the Lord Mayor of Leeds was proposed as the first president.
Of the eight Vice Presidents proposed there were notable names such as Dr Alistair Mackenzie and Alderman Alf Masser.
2nd March 1923 – 7 Bond Place (Sub-Committee)
Application to join Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs and Leeds and District Union of Golf Clubs.
23rd March 1923 – No venue recorded
Joint secretaries Messrs W. Quinney and A. Walton reported that there were 55 members.
Draft club rules were presented for discussion.
5th April 1923 – Hotel Metropole
The Presidency of the club was accepted by the new Lord Mayor, Alderman J Fountain JP.
Mr JJ Percy Kent was appointed the first Captain of the club.
The proposed new rules were unanimously adopted.
18th April 1923 – No venue recorded
The Captain Mr Kent be authorised to interview Alderman Masser and Wilson regarding the adoption a season ticket.
31st May 1923 – 7 Bond Place
The Secretaries reported a membership of 126.
It was decided to ask the Secretary of ‘The Progressives’ to arrange a match at Roundhay to commence at 6pm
25th July 1923 – 7 Bond Place
Membership has now risen to 163
The Chairman Mr Baker produced a silver cup and replica, which had been presented to the club from Schweppes Ltd to be played for among the members of the club
The Chairman produced plans for a proposed new golf clubhouse at Temple Newsam and read a letter from Alderman Masser relating to the same (this is the first mention of Temple Newsam)
The Chairman and council member Mr JE Steel to find a temporary home for the cup, after which the said cup to be kept in the strong room in the secretary’s office. It was decided to insure the cup against burglary for £40
21st September 1923 – 7 Bond Place
The Secretary should write to Mr & Mrs Leigh thanking them for the present of a cup for mixed foursome competition.
Local rule, regarding to teeing up on fairway should not apply to Schweppes Cup and other club competitions.
Secretary reported 196 members.
Council members to be informed of the projected prices for season tickets:
Ratepayers – One course £2 12/6d
Non ratepayers £3 3/0d
Ratepayers – Two courses £4 4/0d
Quarterly ratepayers
January – March £0 10/0d
March – June £0 17/6d
June – September £0 17/6d
September – December £0 10/0d
13th December 1923 – 7 Bond Place
It was decided to call the 1st Annual General Meeting for Friday 18th January 1924 at the Hotel Metropole at 7.30pm.
It was decide to nominate Mr LH Bakes to be Captain for the year 1924.
The question of Vice Captain was left in the hands of Mr JR Knowles to make enquiries as to a member of the Roundhay Section being a likely candidate.
A hefty vote of thanks was forwarded to Messrs Baker, Kent, Robertson for the publicity given in their various newspapers.
18th January 1924 – First Annual General Meeting, Hotel Metropole
About 40 members were in attendance
Mr LH Bakes was appointed Captain
Mr Sydney Holmes was appointed as Vice-Captain
Mr AG Baker was appointed Chairman
8th February 1924 – 39 Albion Street
The Captain and secretary were appointed to attend the next meeting of the Yorkshire Golf Union and try to obtain an assessment for the course at Temple Newsam
The arrangements for playing of the Leigh Cups were left to the handicapping committee.
22nd February 1924 – 39 Albion Street
The Secretary reported that Mr Herbert Hepworth had been appointed to fix the par for the course at Temple Newsam on behalf of the Yorkshire Golf Union.
Miss Ruby Smith was appointed Lady Secretary for the Temple Newsam course and a ladies sub-committee be formed consisting of the two lady secretaries and Mrs Harland
28th March 1924 – 39 Albion Street
The Chairman gave particulars of the season tickets which the council were issuing for both courses i.e. Roundhay and Temple Newsam. It was decide to advertise this in the Yorkshire Post on 29th March and display the details on the notice boards at Roundhay and Temple Newsam.
The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr AG Baker expressing the committee’s deep sympathy with regard to his illness.
9th May 1924 – 39 Albion Street
The Secretary reported that 108 members from last year had not renewed their subscriptions and had not resigned; the secretary was instructed to bring the names and addresses of these to the next meeting.
An assistant secretary for Temple Newsam was deemed to be desirable and Mr Gresham was approved.
Draw for Semi-Finals of the Leigh Cups resulted as follows:
Mr JJP Kent +Miss Wigglesworth
Or
Mr LH Bakes + Mrs Robertson
Versus
Mr P Rowley + Miss Rawling
Mr Silcox + Mrs Oxley
Versus
Mr MH Smith + Miss Margaret Gresham
A discussion took place regarding enlarging the course at Roundhay it was decided to place a notice at Roundhay inviting members to sign a petition in favour of the same.
6th June 1924 – 39 Albion Street
Mr Baker back in the chair after illness
The question of Sunday play was discussed and each member was to be asked to approach the representative for their ward with regard to the same.
A sub-committee of Mr Baker, Nr Bakes, Mr Denton and Mr Davies-Higgins (Sec) to approach the Parks Department on the matter on behalf of the club.
The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr McKechnie the Professional at Roundhay and to Mr Gresham the Steward at Temple Newsam giving them a list of members who were late in paying their subscriptions for 1924 to enable them to collect the same.
The Secretary was instructed to write to the Parks Committee supporting their intention of promoting a Municipal course at Meanwood and also asking the Parks Committee to appoint rangers at Temple Newsam.
24th July 1924 – Albion Street
The movement to progress for playing on Sunday was postponed until after the Sub-committee meeting in November
22nd August 1924 – Albion Street
A discussion took place regarding members who had not paid subscriptions, It was resolved that any member being in arrears on 1st September 1924 should be struck from the membership list.
The Chairman reported that a letter had been received from The Yorkshire Post offering a trophy to the value of £25 to be played for among Municipal Golfers in Leeds, the arrangements for the competition to be made by the Handicap Committee.
The Chairman read a letter received from the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs with reference to the expenses of the British team to travel to America (presumably the Walker Cup), it was resolved to forward £1 1/0d towards the fund the Yorkshire Union were asked to raise.
It was decided to issue instructions that no cards to be taken out before 12.00am.
6th November 1924 – 39 Albion Street
A deputation from Roundhay was received and they stated they had no intention or wish to break away from the club but enquired as to the possibility of having their own Committee to organise social functions and team matches. A sub-committee was set up to draw up a draft constitution.
It was decided to present the petition regarding Sunday play to the City Council.
The Chairman was to meet with Alderman Masser in the week to strongly urge the commencement of work on the Meanwood Course so as play could commence in the spring of next year.
Discussion took place with reference to the clubhouse at Temple Newsam and the Secretary was instructed to write to the City Council offering to pay rent of £10 0/0d per annum and to furnish the room.
19th January 1925 – Victory Hotel, Briggate
Miss Ruby Smith resigned as ladies section Secretary of the Temple Newsam section.
Mr Gresham proposed that Mr WS Lane should act as assistant secretary at the Temple Newsam section.
The question of Honorarium was raised and a sum of £15 15/0d be paid to Mr Davies-Higgins the secretary for the year of 1924.
A big thank you to Dave Heraty for researching, gathering and sharing this information with us.
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