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The History of Ealing Golf Club |
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The emergence of the present Club was in March 1898 when it was launched and owned by three proprietors, Messrs George, Gibson and Way and named Castle Bar Golf Club. Mr George was a successful business man who contributed money to the Club in it's early days. The Men's Match Play competition is named after him.
In 1901 it became a members' club and was renamed Ealing Golf Club. Then in 1909, the members formed a limited company to manage affairs and this in turn was replaced by Ealing Golf Club (1923) Ltd when the opportunity arose to purchase the Freehold land together with a further 8 acres for the sum of £13,000.
Over the years there have been a number of changes to the layout of the course which was originally designed by one of the Great Triumvirate, James Braid. The first major change came in 1926 which took in the extra 8 acres, allowing for the loss of two holes to the planned Western Avenue. The new course was laid out by Harry S. Colt, a famous designer in his day.
However, the Clubhouse, described in 1913 as "unusually good", remained at the bottom of Kent Gardens where it had been since inception. The first tee was adjacent to the existing 6th green but on the east side of the river. In the 1920's plans were drawn up for a new clubhouse to be better placed in relation to the course and it was opened in 1930 on it's present site. This of course necessitated a re-arrangement of the playing order which was maintained until 2002, when it was altered again to make the clubhouse a convenient halfway stop. Other changes were occasionally made, usually to lengthen the course, but the 12th tee was originally next to the 1st, and the 6th and 8th tees were constructed in 1971 for the County Championship.
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The first Professional was J. G. Stuart who retired in 1905, and then came George Charles, a founder member of the PGA. Arnold Stickley, a tour player and winner of the PGA Championship, took over in 1946 and remained for 46 years, mostly in partnership with his brother Owen.
During the Second World War, holes 2 to 5 were taken over and one of four anti-aircraft guns was placed on the 3rd. The concrete support, now grassed over, still remains. Remaining members contrived various ways to play 18 holes. |
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The tree on the corner of the 4th was in the firing line so it was cut to ground level. Nevertheless, it stubbornly refused to die and still continues to frustrate golfers that push their tee shots.
Before the course was built, and shown on maps dated 1866, the 6th fairway was part of a rifle range with the Butt where the fairway begins. Even in the early 1970's, flattened bullets still came to the surface and this area has since baffled many Green Keepers, unaware that the grass is a victim of lead poisoning. Adjacent to the 13th green, the base where the Green Keeper's horse was stabled is still visible.
When the war finished, the Club, already in debt, was faced with the cost of restoring the course. But the Chairman, Mr. H. B. Randolph who was also Chairman of Wilkinson Sword, was an astute business man and his negotiations with the Government to obtain 'Loss of Development' rights turned around the Club's finances. So much so, Ealing was one of the first to install an automated watering system, albeit only on the greens. The Club owes a huge debt to 'Randy', and a ceremonial sword presented by Wilkinson is proudly displayed in the Randolph Room. Recent refurbishment to the Clubhouse has produced facilities to the highest standard.
The course is typically 'Parkland' but tight, with the River Brent a key feature on many holes. It is not physically demanding and competitors of all levels and age can enjoy a comfortable round of Golf. During 2005, extensive improvements were completed for tees and bunkers. A full irrigation is now being installed and will be completed by May 2006
During recent years, Ealing golfers have been remarkably successful. Ricky Willison our Professional, played in the Walker Cup. Andrew Rogers, now a Club Professional in Australia, became an International as did Yasin Ali. In 1991, Ricky and Andrew were both selected for England against Spain; only the second time in the history of English golf that two players from the same club have represented their country, the other occasion was in 1926. Jerome O'Shea was the third member of our own Triumvirate and with Willison and Rogers, plus reserves when necessary, they won the English Club Championship four times and the European Championship twice. Another unique feat occurred during 1987/88/89 when each separately qualified for The Open, Ricky winning the Bronze Medal in 1987. The Honours Boards also display an impressive record of achievements by many other members.
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