Club History

1891 - The Beginning

The City of Newcastle Golf Club was formally founded in October of 1891, playing on a course on the town Moor on land leased from the Freeman of the City and the Corporation of Newcastle upon Tyne. The old mill on Claremont Road became the clubhouse and was rented from W B Reid, a well known local brewer

Moving to Gosforth

After a while playing golf on the Town Moor became a problem, due mainly to unrestricted public access and to damage caused by animals. It was therefore decided that a new site would be sought and in 1907 land was leased from a Mrs Bainbridge of Grange Farm, Three Mile Bridge, Gosforth.

The Town Moor Course and the clubhouse on Claremont Road were then handed over to the Newcastle United Workmen's Club, whose members had also been using the Town Moor Course.

Harry Vardon

Harry Vardon was engaged to design the new course and in the following year, 1908, he played a challenge match against James Braid over his new layout. The course length then was 6068 yards with a par score, or in those days bogey score of 82.

Alistair MacKenzie

Alistair MacKenzie, who went on to design Augusta National, Cypress Point and Royal Melbourne, was engaged in 1913 to redesign 12 of the 18 holes. He filled in a number of bunkers and built new ones in more strategic positions; he recommended the cutting down of many bushes and reduced the area of rough, all of which held up play. His improvements affected no fewer than 12 out of the 18 holes, and the work was so demanding that 10 extra green staff were employed for a period of 3 months. 

The changes made by MacKenzie to our 14th hole are proudly highlighted in his landmark "Golf Architecture" book, published in 1920. With the help of Harry Vardon, MacKenzie succeeded in producing a course on which every player can enjoy playing no matter what handicap. 

Inaugural Match

During the inaugural match on the new course a very strange thing happened. While playing the very first shot on the first hole, the then Secretary, Mr. James Potts, hit a crow with his ball and killed it. The actual bird was stuffed and  remains on display in a glass case in the clubhouse.

1962 - Changes

In 1962 part of the course bounded by Broadway West was purchased by Northumberland County Council to make playing fields and to build a school. New land was provided to the west and nine new holes were constructed. At the same time Gosforth Urban District Council became the Club's landlord with the lease being for a maximum term of 52 years.

1974 - New Landlords

In 1974, due to changes in, and reorganisation of local government, Newcastle City Council, the successor to Gosforth UDC, became the Club's landlords.

 
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