History of the Club
Shrewsbury Golf Club was formally instituted on 9 March 1891 at Hencote, off the Ellesmere Road to the north west of the town centre. The 12 hole course was described very succinctly by a member as "very short, very rough, very wet and very dirty". The situation for the reasons mentioned, remained unsatisfactory and in March 1892, exactly a year after incorporation, the club secured new playing grounds near Meole Village, some one and a half miles to the south of the town centre where a new 9 hole course was laid. In 1920 the members managed to secure the land on which they had been playing since 1892 plus four neighbouring fields, a grand total of some 80.5 acres, to form a new course of 18 holes which was opened for play in 1922.
However, in 1968 after almost 80 years play at Meole Brace, proposals to build a new traffic island at the A5/A49 junction, and a new "link" road to the Column, were approved, which meant the proposed route would cut right through the middle of the course making the layout of the course, already somewhat cramped, quite impossible.
Negotiations were then opened with the local Council with a view to selling the course in its entirety and starting afresh on a new site.
Grange Farm on the edge of the village of Condover, some 4 miles south of Shrewsbury, became available in March 1969 and construction of the new course at Condover began on 1 June 1970. The new course was opened for play on 10 October 1971.
Despite the vagaries of weather, tree planting programmes have produced a steady growth of a variety of species to complement the existing mature oaks and beeches and this is slowly but surely changing the whole character of the course. With spectacular views over the Stretton Hills to the South, the Shropshire Plain to the North and additional water features lurking on four holes, mainly near the green and the greens the equal of most parkland course, this course more than satisfies the players demanding a challenging test of golf coupled with top quality clubhouse facilities.
History of Trophies Presented to Ladies' Section of Shrewsbury Golf Club
- 1909 Ladies joined the LGU
- 1912 Mrs Gerald Lewis gave her Challenge Bowl to be played in the form of a knock-out competition commencing in April.
- 1922 Mr Glyn Hill presented his cup – 18 holes stroke play
- 1923 Gentlemen’s Cup – presented to the ladies – 18 holes stroke play
- 1931 Captain Phillips gave his cup – originally a 36 hole qualifying round – 8 players to play off 36 holes stroke play. Reduced in 1951 to 18 holes both qualifying and play-off.
- April 1946 the Ladies’ Cup was given anonymously – 18 holes stroke play.
- September 1946 Mrs.Duffield gave her salver – originally to be played for in October best 3 nett scores to count. Changed to April and May in 1948.
- 1948 Miss Mary Beddard gave her trophy for the high handicap players off 36.
- 1949 Reggie Bourne gave the trophy for a mixed competition to be played over 18 holes stroke play. Handicap limit 24 maximum. Reduced to 20 by 1965.
- 1969 The LGU Coronation Foursomes was introduced. Qualifiers to play in Divisional Final.
- 1964 Mrs Jo Hargove gave her trophy for all medal winners of the previous year. 18 holes stroke play.
- 1965 Gilbert Patch gave the Betty Patch Salver in honour of his late wife. 18 holes mixed foursomes stroke play.
- March 1970 Mrs Doreen Walters and Mrs Nancy Wainwright gave the Jubilee Cup to celebrate the Jubilee Year 1968
- 1970 the Jack and Ivy Trophy was presented by Jill Membury and her brother in honour of their late parents. Mixed foursomes 18 hole stroke play.
- 1971 Mrs Mary Holyoak presented her rose-bowl for the Club Championship. 36 holes stroke play best gross score
- 1973 Connie Williams Salver was presented for the most improved player between handicaps 30 – 36.
- 1974 Pauline Wilding presented the Condover Cup for the nett winner of the Club Championship.
- 1977 Monday mixed greensomes commenced.
- 1979 Beason/Jarvis Trophy presented for both gentlemen’s and lady’s committee to play matchplay – 4BBB.
Interesting facts
- 1924 only 14 ladies at AGM – held in Boots Café
- By Nov 1925 increased to 23 ladies
- May 1925 ladies approached the men’s committee to fill two vacancies on that committee. Their point being that they had 30% of the membership and paid only 11% less fees. Declined.
- October 1945 a reconstruction committee was formed to raise funds for refurbishment of club.
- 1971 the ladies County League was formed prior to this only friendly matches had been played.
- 1951 the members were levied to provide watering system to greens. 10/- over 3 years.
- 1951 the lounge was opened up to the ladies. Prior to this it had been gentlemen only. Ladies had their own sitting room next door.
- 1959 There was an exhibition match played for Jimmy Walker our retiring Pro. Dai Rees, Peter Alliss and Max Faulkner played.
- 1965 the first junior coaching started through the Golf Foundation.
- 1971 The ladies County League was formed initially playing Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire. Changed to the Welsh teams in 1972 (Denbighshire, Flintshire and C & A)
- 22 May 1972 move to Condover.
- Social members were introduced maximum of 25.
- 1974 Ray Reardon gave an exhibition match.
