Centenary 1909 -2009

Centenary 1909 -2009 MOLD GOLF CLUB Cilcain Road, Pantymwyn, Nr Mold, Flintshire CH7 5EH Competitions Greens Committee Committee Telephones: 01352 741513 (Clubhouse); 01352 740318 (Professional) E-mail: [email protected] Peter Roach Les Jeffcott Colin Jones Barry Brine Barry Haigh Keith Chamberlin CENTENARY YEAR 2009 OFFICERS Keith Chamberlin Bob Dukeson Gordon Hughes Nev George Ladies’ representa- J Dewi Ingman tive Iestyn Ingman Dewi W Ingman House Committee J Richard Jones Tony Moore Don Farrington Bob Naybour Mike Hayes Rishi Sharma Brian Clarke Roger Howes Mike Worsnip Mike Jones Finance Ladies’ representa- Committee tive

Stephen Jones Social Committee Roy Fisher Janet Spence David Thurston Barry Haigh Roy Fisher Richard Jones Management Committee: Back row, from Don Farrington (House Chairman). Glyn Evans Jim Mash left: Peter Roach (Greens Chairman), Front row, from left: Margaret Ellis Margaret Ellis Dave Stephens J Dewi Ingman, Stephen Jones (Finance (Lady Vice-Captain); Martyn Norma Newall Tim Davies Chairman), Chris Mills (Secretary/Man- Scholes (Captain), Dave Ashworth Angela Morris Gaynor Jones ager), Dave Faulkner, Les Jeffcott (President), Elizabeth Harrison (Lady Tony Moore Charles Bull (Competitions Chairman), Tudor Hughes, Captain); Glyn Evans (Vice-Captain). Joy Burton Don Layfield Irene Leech Cover picture by Mike Worsnip

2 Captains’ foreword T WAS a great honour and privilege to be elected as the hours of editing which have culminated in the production of Captains of Mold Golf Club on the occasion of the club’s this unique book. It will serve as a lasting tribute to those hun- ICentenary Year. Thanks should be accorded to the founders dreds of committed members who over the century have freely for establishing the club and to all the members and staff over given their hearts and minds, the labour of their hands and not the last hundred years for all their conscientious work which infrequently the contents of their pockets “for the club” as they has given us today a golf course of which we can all be proud. would put it. We are certain that you will enjoy browsing through these By meeting the challenges of a changing world, Mold Golf pages for the stories and facts that have come to light, and also Club has successfully weathered two world wars and a change remember the many occasions and the people who over the of location. Today, justifiably, it takes its place among the very years have left their mark on the club. best. We would like to acknowledge the time and diligent work We look forward to the club’s continued development and of the members of the Centenary Committee who helped to we hope to enjoy many more happy golfing years well into its make this year of celebration especially memorable. second century. In particular we are very grateful to Bob Adams, Bob Tay- Martyn Scholes lor and Tudor Hughes for their painstaking research and many Elizabeth Harrison

Club Captain Martyn Scholes and Lady Captain Elizabeth Harrison are pictured flanking the stunning Cente- nary plaque alongside the first tee. This new piece of high-tech artwork that faithfully captures the Mold course layout on zinc testifies to the skills of a handful of members. Colin Crowther, Viv Blackwell and Tony Moore, along with head greenkeeper Colin Jones, spent months compiling digital course details from aerial photographs and plans. Photocast Products in Liverpool then translated the digital information into a zinc interpretation plaque using their deep-etch system, and this was mounted on a seasoned hardwood board manufactured by two more members Mike Worsnip and Brian Clarke. All 18 holes, tees, greens, bunkers, trees, areas of gorse and other features are displayed in relief and detail on the plaque, showing elevations and depressions of the course just like a map-model.

3 Contents

The first years ...... 5 The first clubhouse ...... 7 Victorian entrepreneur ...... 10 Clouds of war ...... 13 Moving to Pantymwyn ...... 15 Battle of the bar ...... 21 A new clubhouse ...... 24 Roof blown off ...... 29 18 holes in play ...... 30 The ladies protest! ...... 33 A course for all seasons - the sixth in winter Picture: David Andrews Celebrating 75 years ...... 36 Centenary Year ...... 43 Casino night ...... 46 Having a ball ...... 48 Showtime ...... 52 Juniors ...... 55 Seniors ...... 58 Hurricane’s landing ...... 59 Green staffs ...... 60 Disappearing hole ...... 64 Presidents and captains ...... 66 ... and the seventh in summer Picture: Colin Jones Winners ...... 69

4 In the beginning

olf is essentially about people. Any warmly applauded, and Col. Lloyd responded, history of Mold Golf Club which Many glad to wishing the club every success in the future. Gfailed to give proper recognition to His daughter, Miss Lloyd, then drove the first those Victorians who made it possible would ball most successfully, and the links were de- be incomplete. clared open for play, after which two ‘four- It is perhaps important, also, to be aware of cultivate somes,’ as the golfers call it, were started and events on the wider scene against which Mold had a round in the links. Golf Club grew up. “The course is of 9 holes, but very ‘sport- It is likely that the second Boer War (1899- acquaintance ing.’ Some of the bunkers, which are mostly 1902), the deaths of Queen Victoria (1901) and stone walls, require a lot of ‘doing,’ especially King Edward VII (1910), the development of those with trees on the top. the Model T Ford (from 1908), Louis Blériot’s with a sport so “These links lie about two miles from crossing the English Channel (1909), the de- Mold, at a high elevation where the scenery is mise of Dr Crippen (1910), the generosity of of the grandest and the air most bracing, so that Peter Roberts in giving Mold its Town Hall exhilarating the locality alone should ensure a prosperous (1911), the maiden voyage of the Titanic future for the club, and play may be enjoyed The Herald’s prediction was borne out (1912) and the horrors of the Great War would every day in the week (except Sundays) when when they were able to report, in August, 1905, all have exercised the minds of the founder the links are closed. All applications for mem- “These links were opened on Tuesday, the members of the club. bership should be addressed to the hon. secre- 15th inst., when the attendance was small, There was a growing acceptance that the tary, Rhual Isa, Mold.” owing to two garden parties taking place in this best way to prevent illness was through physi- There is much in these early reports, not neighbourhood on the same day. Before play cal exercise and golf was coming to be recog- least the competition afforded by two garden commenced Major Whitworth (the hon. secre- nised as a beneficial addition to the major parties on the day the course was opened, to tary) said a few words thanking Colonel Lloyd, sports of the day which, certainly in Mold, suggest that, in 1905, golf was not within the the proprietor, for his great kindness in giving were cricket and football. reach of ordinary mortals. the club the use of his ground, which was In March 1904, The Flintshire County Her- It appears that the “gentlemen” referred to ald reported, “Several gentlemen have commu- in the first report included a number of the nicated with us asking that attention be called civic dignitaries of the day who appeared to to the desirability of forming a golf club for believe that a golf course would be an asset in Mold and District. So far as we can glean, golf furthering Mold’s claim to be a special place to is a health-giving pastime, and we believe if a visit. club was started for Mold there would be many They included bank managers, lawyers, who would become members.” doctors, businessmen, teachers, clergymen and By June of the following year, it was an- army officers. Aside from public service, and nounced that there was “a proposal on foot to golf, their shared interests included the Church, establish a golf club. It is to be hoped the pres- the Cosmopolitan Society, Freemasonry and ent movement will be brought to a successful the Territorial Army, founded in 1908. Some issue, as there are many in Mold who would be were to serve as officers in the First World glad to cultivate acquaintance with a sport of War. so exhilarating and health-giving a character. Colonel Lloyd’s father had been a merchant We understand that a tract of land on the Hafod and ship-owner, with a large estate in Tuscany. estate is considered a suitable venue for the Lloyd himself sat as a member of the Flintshire links, and probably we shall hear more about Colonel Edward Lloyd County Council, was made a magistrate in the proposal in the course of the next few President of Hafod Golf Club 1886, and became High Sheriff of Flintshire. weeks.” We are told that he was intensely fond of * 5 Search for missing links

* hunting and other forms of outdoor sport, and when the new Committee was elected. It com- his stables invariably housed fashionable and prised: President, Colonel Lloyd; Hon Secre- high class thoroughbreds. Major Whitworth, tary, Major Whitworth; Treasurer, Mr R E recently arrived from Wimborne, in Dorset, Jones, together with Major Wynne-Eyton and had been an officer in the Warwick Regiment. Messrs W Lloyd Parry, R D Roberts, H Good- Although the Borough Pocket Guide to man Roberts and W E Trickett. It was consid- Mold of 1908 declared that golfers were ered that the outlook for the coming year was catered for at Hafod, there was no mention of it most favourable, and the club was filling a great want. in either Golfing Annual or Nisbet’s Golfing The annual meeting of 1909, held at the Yearbook and there is no record of its existence Constitutional Club, saw Major J H Wynne- in the archives of the Royal and Ancient Golf Eyton presiding. However, although the offi- Club of St Andrews. cers were unanimously re-elected, “vacancies Attempts to reconstruct the layout of the on the roll of membership were reported.” course on Hafod Moor have been unsuccessful. The explanation was provided in an article Simon Buckley (right), of the Plas Hafod Hotel, This is hardly surprising since it is highly which appeared in The Herald in October. The welcoming members of the Centenary Commit- probable that the Hafod links, as indicated in situation of the Hafod links had been ideal as the account of the opening ceremony, bore lit- tee to explore Hafod Moor (below). regards scenery and pureness of air, and the tle resemblance to present day notions of what land was covered with delightful springy turf, a golf course should look like, and would not but owing to the stiff climb necessary to reach have been alone in this regard. the course preparatory to play the interest In the era of Hafod, the course at Aber- flagged. dovey boasted no more than nine holes, these The problems were recalled in MGC’s 75 being flower pots sunk into the turf. Glorious Years booklet, “There were no con- veyances in those early days at Hafod Moor; members had to scramble up ‘Weary Willy’ Bronze Age axe heads sometimes pushing a bicycle with their clubs Roehampton Club spent £266 on buying on their backs, or, alternatively, they used a sheep to keep the grass down, and, of Malvern, pony and trap.” Bert Gadd wrote in his memoirs, “there were rushes and ferns in great abundance and a con- New Golf Course siderable variety of ditches and streams had to It had already been reported, in August, 1909, be negotiated. The course, being on common that vigorous efforts were being made towards land, was used by the locals for grazing and I cess, as The Herald pointed out in September the formation of a golf club, with links at can never remember the fairways being mown. of 1905, “We are glad to learn that the golf club is succeeding beyond the most sanguine Padeswood and that, “the following gentlemen A wonderful array of animals and poultry kept anticipations of the promoters. The members are interesting themselves in the proposal :— the grass short and I often wonder what today’s already number over forty. Messrs Douglas Ravenscroft and E P Edwards, stars would have made of those ‘close to na- “The greens are daily improving and we and Drs O M Lunt and D Frazer.” ture’ conditions.” learn that a clubhouse is in course of erection. In October, 1909, The Herald explained: In 1989, the Mold Historical Search Soci- A visitor is amply repaid by a visit to these “The old players of Mold have been casting ety, using metal detectors, unearthed a hoard of sporting links, by the invigorating air and the Bronze Age axe-heads, now on display in the round for some time now for a likely spot for a charming scenery to be seen all around. The good golf course, one that is readily accessible Daniel Owen Centre, on Hafod Moor, but club is indeed a great acquisition to our little found nothing to suggest the land was ever by road or rail, and they have been eminently town.” successful in finding the necessary spot near used for golf. The second annual meeting took place in Padeswood station.” Nevertheless, the club enjoyed early suc- July 1907, with Colonel Lloyd in the chair, * 6 A new golf course for Mold

* There followed a detailed account of the The first recorded event, in November meeting recently held in the Town Hall and 1909, was a match between teams representing presided over by Councillor W. E. Trickett, J.P. the Hon. Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer. Chairman of the Mold Urban Council, “when Although the pioneers from Hafod were to there was a large and fully representative become prominent members at Padeswood, muster of golf devotees of the neighbourhood there were a number of factors which made the present”. new Mold Golf Club distinct from its prede- cessor on Hafod Moor. Hafod Golf Club had been reliant upon Colonel Lloyd’s generosity – and depended for its future upon his continuing to be the owner of Hafod. There had been no mention of any lease, subscriptions, a Rule Book or a professional. Its bank balances in 1907 and 1909 were £16 11s 3½d and £5 respectively. At the outset, Mold’s “New Golf Club” held its course at Padeswood on a ten year lease from the Wynne-Eyton estate. By December 1911, there was a membership of 62, and the total income was £89 6s.

The Flintshire News November 12, 1909

6d, made up of £84 10s. 6d. subscriptions and The Flintshire News, October 22, 1909 £4 10s 0d. green fees. There were, clearly, rules and a professional: at the annual meeting After going into matters thoroughly it was of 1911, Dr Fraser proposed the amendment of unanimously decided to form a golf club for rule 19 to provide for the raising of the en- Mold, and take the land suggested at trance fee partly because the professional’s Padeswood. wages were then £52. “Mr. R. E. Jones (National Prov. Bank) Mold Golf Club was on the golfing map in consented to act as Treasurer, and Mr Douglas its own right. Ravenscroft undertook the duties of Secretary. The following gentlemen were elected on the committee: Drs. Frazer (Buckley), Lunt, Trub- The First Clubhouse shaw, and Messrs. E. P. Edwards, Capt. Fair- In January, 1910, The Herald noted that clough, J. B. Price, and W. E. Trickett. golf had begun to supplant cricket as an out- “It was decided that there should be an en- door pastime. “The other day workmen were trance fee of half a guinea for ladies and one noticed taking down the pavilion on the Recre- guinea for gentlemen, and a yearly subscrip- ation Ground, Mold, and on enquiries being tion of one guinea for all members. A goodly made it was ascertained that the Golf Club au- list of members was enrolled at the meeting.” thorities, whose links are at Padeswood, had On November 12th, 1909, The Flintshire Major J H Wynne-Eyton purchased the building, and had arranged to News reported that the new course was open. President 1910-11 move it to their own ground, for use as a golf * 7 Guidebook highlight

* pavilion. We understand that golf is becoming Major J H Wynne-Eyton accepted the po- very popular locally, and that the new links at sition of President and it was noted that the Padeswood are well supported. At the same membership list included many of the princi- time, the decline of cricket in Mold is much to pal residents of Mold and Buckley. be regretted.” In its report of the meeting, The County However, severe gales in February ex- Holidays in North Wales by J N Frith was Herald quoted from a circular produced by posed the vulnerability of the pavilion at its one of the principal guidebooks of the day. the club, “The first annual meeting was held new location. “Among minor mishaps re- It was published by the L. & N. W. R. to pro- at the Town Hall, Mold, on November 21st ported in connection with Thursday’s storm is mote both North Wales and Rail Travel. last, when it was unanimously decided to con- the damage to the recently re-erected pavilion The entry of 1911 (above) appears to be the tinue the club. The new committee will spare on the Golf Links at Padeswood, which was first reference to Mold Golf Club in a guide- no efforts in their endeavours to make the transferred from the Cricket Field at Mold. book. course satisfactory in every way to the mem- “It seems this pavilion was in sections, bers. which have been blown apart by the force of “It is proposed to arrange matches with the wind, and the structure will have to be neighbouring clubs and also hold monthly readjusted.” conventions. Several members have already Interestingly, this was not to be the last oc- taken debentures on the pavilion account, but casion on which MGC’s clubhouse would as the total cost of the pavilion, including fur- need ‘readjustment’ after high winds! nishing, amounts to £70, it is hoped that other members will apply for one or more deben- Early Progress tures (£1 each and bearing 5% interest), so that the work can be completed.” Aside from an Easter competition domi- The first entry in Nisbet’s Golf Year Book nated by the Marston brothers, who came appeared in 1914. It reads: first, second and third, and the first annual MOLD (FLINTSHIRE) Men’s Singles Christmas Handicap, played in MOLD GOLF CLUB glorious weather and won by W S Marston, Inst. 1909. Members – 75. runner-up C C Marston, there seems to have Station – Padeswood (L. & N.W.) ad- been little reported in the way of golfing ac- joining 1st Tee. tivity during the club’s first full year. It was, Hon. Sec. – J. E. Parry, Hill Grove, however, proposed to arrange matches with Mold. neighbouring clubs, and also to have monthly Entrance Fee – £1.11s. 6d.; Ladies competitions. bridges erected at the 1st and 8th holes. I0s.6d. An extraordinary meeting held in October, At the annual meeting held at the Town Subs. – £1.11s.6d.; Ladies – £1.1s. 1910, was told that the number of members Hall in November, 1910, Mr. R. E. Jones was Holes – 9. Pro – Thomas Wilson was about 80, and that Mr Stewart McGregor elected Captain, Mr. W. Llew. Thomas be- Visitors – 1s. per day, 3s.6d. per week, had been engaged as professional grounds- came Treasurer, and Mr. W. E. Trickett suc- 7s.6d. per month. No Sunday play. man. Improvements to the course included ceeded Douglas Ravenscroft as Secretary. 8 Worth a guinea and a half a year

In May, 1911, the first Captain’s Prize, a favourably was due to the strict economy of rose-bowl played for over 36 holes, presented the committee. If there had been anything like by Mr R. E. Jones, was won by Mr J. Brad- a normal summer they would have had to face burne Price and, in the first inter-club match, in a heavy expense. It was folly to go on charging October, Mold beat Denbigh 5 to 3 at the present subscription, if they could not pay Padeswood. their way. There were several things they A high wind made low scoring difficult for wanted to do in the way of improvements.” the final competition of the year which was Mr Parry’s argument that, if there had been held in December. Mr Norman Roberts (91-7- anything like a normal summer, they would 84) took first place from Dr Fraser. have had to face a heavy expense is, possibly, a On the downside, members learned from portent of the difficulties which the club would The Flintshire Observer that the President, have to deal with in later years when the Major Wynne-Eyton, had died suddenly on weather would be less kind. June 1st. The Summer of 1911 had been anything but Sudden demise normal. On September 28th, the editor of The Times wrote: “Never has there been such a Mr Peter Edwards Roberts, J.P. “Profound sorrow was occasioned in the summer within the memory of living man. President of Mold Golf Club 1911-1914 Mold district on Friday, when the news was re- There have been plenty of fine summers be- ceived of the sudden demise in London that the Executive Committee: Rev. D. R. Pelly, Fa- fore—notably the memorable summer of 1893, morning of Major John Hope Wynne-Eyton, of ther Bell, Dr. Fraser, Messrs. J. B. Marston, when from early March to late October the the Tower, near Mold, owner of the extensive Hugh Moore, J. E. Parry, and W. E. Trickett. weather was well-nigh perfect in each of its Leeswood Estate. It appears that the deceased “It was unanimously decided, on the propo- several seasons—but never has there been such gentleman visited London for the purpose of sition of Mr R. Stewart Kelly, seconded by Mr a summer as this which is still lingering at attending a dinner which was being held in J. B. Marston to ask Mr Peter E. Roberts, J.P., Michaelmas in the lap of belated autumn.” No connection with his own regiment, the King’s Bromfield Hall, chairman of the Mold Urban rain, then, to swell the river and the Padeswood Shropshire Light Infantry, and was taken ill District Council, to accept the presidency.” ditches. The summer of 1927 would be some- shortly after arriving at the Metropolis. Med- There was an extensive discussion of a pro- what different. ical skill was unavailing, and he passed away posal to increase the subscriptions. as stated to the great grief of his family. He is “Dr Fraser proposed the amendment of rule survived by his widow and one daughter.” 19 to provide for the raising of the entrance fee The Ladies’ Section The daughter, Violet, succeeded her father for gentlemen to £1 11s. 6d. and the subscrip- The first ladies’ committee was appointed as owner of the Leeswood estates which in- tion to £1 11s. 6d. instead of a guinea as hith- at the annual meeting of 1911. Mrs R. E. Jones cluded the golf course at Padeswood, and later erto, the family ticket subscription to be £3 was elected President, Miss Hilda Marston, became the club’s Ladies’ President. 13s. 6d. with entrance fee £1 11s. 6d. Captain, and Miss Bessie Lloyd Parry Hon. “He thought the golf they were having out Secretary. Annual Meeting, 1911 of the resources of the club was worth a guinea Other committee members included Mrs At the annual meeting, held in the Town and a half a year. He had heard that members Pelly, Misses Helen Evans, J. Lewis, Hilda Hall in November, 1911, it was reported that of many clubs, with not nearly such good links Marston, Bradburne Price and Mrs Roberts, Mr R. E. Jones presided over a splendid atten- as the Mold club, had to pay three or four times Bromfield Hall. dance of enthusiastic golfers. Mr J. Bradburne that amount. He hoped that all the members for One of the first duties of the new commit- Price took over as hon. secretary, and Messrs. the sake of carrying on the club successfully tee was to take charge of the furnishing of the R. E. Jones and W. Llew. Thomas were re- would consent to the amendment of the rule. pavilion. elected captain and hon. treasurer respectively. “Mr J. E. Parry seconded. He said that the They would also arrange fixtures with other “The following were elected members of fact that the balance sheet showed things so clubs and club competitions. * 9 Peter Edwards Roberts, J.P. The first Lady Captain’s Prize, presented as farmer of 131 acres and lead miner and there teen, was by then a bank clerk. nowadays for the best overall score on Lady was a fifth son, Jesse. In 1903, Peter acquired the patent for his Captain’s day, was a silver cake stand carrying By the age of twenty-one Peter was work- invention of the revolving rubber heel. the inscription: “MOLD LADIES GOLF CLUB ing as a draper’s assistant in Bury. The family moved back to Mold in about CAPTAINS PRIZE 1912”. In 1864, he married Elizabeth Stead who 1906 when Peter bought Bromfield Hall, and came from Ramsbottom, where they settled began to make his mark in local affairs. and had four children and, by the age of thirty- It was in 1906 that Peter Roberts and the one, Peter had become a master draper employing two youths. Early in 1879, Elizabeth died, leaving Peter to look after the family. He turned for help to Mary Williams, of Maeshafn, and they were * married in Burnley at the end of 1880. A lady by the name of Mary Williams, engaged as a general servant at his parents’ home, had ap- Lady Captain’s Prize 1912 peared in the Mold census of 1871. Peter’s success continued and by 1881 he was a general draper with twelve employees. His eldest son, Thomas, now sixteen, was following in his father’s footsteps. Another son, Norman, was born in 1882 and a daughter, Gertrude, followed in 1885. Roberts family at Bromfield Hall c1911 Scots philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, jointly funded the organ in Bethesda Chapel, where Peter’s brother, Jesse, was a deacon. In 1911, he was invited to become Chair- ... and its inscription man of Mold Urban Council and, in response, presented Mold with the Town Hall now stand- Victorian entrepreneur ing in Earl Road, the foundation stone of which By the age of fifty-two, Peter had moved to was laid to commemorate the Coronation of The new President, Peter Edwards Roberts, Clitheroe, retired from the drapery business King George V on June 22nd. * was an archetypal Victorian entrepreneur. A and become involved in the swiftly developing son of Mold, born only three years after the ac- rubber heel industry. The Roberts family estab- cession of Queen Victoria, he spent just ten lished the Wood-Milne Rubber Company with years of his adult life, in retirement, in his na- Thomas Roberts taking on the position of Man- tive town but it is arguable that, without his aging Director. The company’s products in- legacy, Mold Golf Club may not have survived cluded rubber heels, soles and tips, pneumatic to be celebrating its Centenary in 2009. tyres and inner tubes for motor cars and motor- In 1841, Peter Roberts, aged one, was liv- cycles, solid band tyres for motor vehicles, ing at Cefynmawr near Cadole, with his father belts for motor cycles, foot pumps for motor Robert, a lead miner, mother Anne and three tyres and the Wood-Milne Bramble golf ball. older brothers, John, Edward and Thomas. In 1901, Peter Roberts gave his occupation Ten years on, the family home was at Ty as Director of Companies. Norman, aged six- Draw. Robert Roberts now gave his occupation The inscriptions on Mold Town Hall 10 A far-seeing man * The Flintshire News commented, “Espe- nently remain amongst us.’ He left Mold for In contrast, the notice which appeared in cially is the gift acceptable on account of the health reasons to take up residence, in The Times of March 25th, 1922, stated simply, fact that the donor was born and bred in the Bournemouth, in 1916, where he died on “The death has occurred suddenly at district, and after a long strenuous and success- March 22nd, 1922, appearing finally to have Bournemouth of Mr Peter Edward Roberts, a ful commercial career has returned to his old retired from public life. Flintshire magistrate.” home to spend the remainder of his days in Peter Roberts’ many achievements were The Bournemouth newspapers carried no peace and contentment, emphasised by the fully recognised in his obituary in The tributes or funeral report; merely brief notices hearty goodwill and deep respect of those who Flintshire Observer of March 30th, 1922. of his death. have known him throughout a long and spot- less career.” The Peter and Peter Roberts took a major role in the Mold Cosmopolitan Society and, according to The Norman Roberts Cups County Herald, as early as 1904, before he mong Mold Golf Club’s most highly moved back to Mold, its members were al- prized possessions are the trophies pre- ready looking forward to a visit from him. “We A sented by Peter and Norman Roberts shortly hear that Mr Peter Roberts, brother of Mr Jesse after Peter’s acceptance of the Presidency. Roberts, Mold, has promised to give a paper on ‘Microbes’ before the members of the Mold Cosmopolitan Society sometime in the course of the next session. We feel sure that a paper by Mr Roberts, on a subject so full of interest and instruction, will be eagerly awaited, especially seeing that it is probable there will be limelight illustrations to enhance the value and pleasure of the discourse. “Moldavians are very proud of Mr P Roberts, who during his residence in Lan- cashire has risen to a position of much emi- nence in the business world, through his success as a manufacturer of patent rubber heels. There is no doubt that Mr Roberts is one of the most far-seeing and keen business men Wales has produced, and he deserves to succeed. We understand that Mr Roberts has purchased a residence near his native town, and that he may in due course permanently remain amongst us.” Peter Roberts became known for his gen- Henry Norman Roberts with the cup presented to Mold Golf Club by erosity. For example, it was reported in De- his grandfather Peter Edwards cember, 1910, that, ‘with his accustomed Roberts. thoughtfulness for others’ he gave 2 cwt. of Produced by the noted company of Walker coal to each recipient of outdoor relief in the and Hall, they are of Sterling Silver and carry Mold district. The grave of Peter and Mary Roberts the Sheffield hallmarks of 1910 and 1911, re- In the event, Peter Roberts did not ‘perma- in Bournemouth Cemetery spectively. * 11 Inter-club matches * The inscription on the Peter Roberts Cup In April, Mold were beaten in a mixed- Williams 0, Mr L. S. Ayer 1, Mr J. M. Ed- reads: foursomes match by Holywell, at Holywell: wards 1, Mr John K. Evans 0 – total 5. Foursomes MOLD GOLF CLUB HOLYWELL v MOLD Mold – C. Marston and Dr Fraser 1, J. B. PRESENTED BY P. E. ROBERTS A match was played at Holywell between the Price and J. E. Parry 0, Father Bell and Fa- ther Walsh 1, Rev. J. E. Morgan and Hughes Mold and Holywell clubs, resulting in a victory for (PRESIDENT) 0 – total 2. the home club by 3 events to 1. BROMFIELD HALL Holywell – J. T. Morgan and H. W. HOLYWELL MOLD Williams 0, T. C. Roberts and H. T. Roberts MOLD Dr H W S Williams & Mr and Mrs R 1, W. G. Morris and A. F. Williams 0, L. S. The first winner of the Norman Roberts cup Mrs Windsor Smitt 0 Jones 1 Ayer and J. M. Edwards 1 – total 2. was W Buckley in 1912, and J. E. Parry was Mr T C Roberts and Miss Mr C Marston and successful when the Peter Roberts Cup was M Lloyd-Price 1 Miss Marston 0 first contested as an eclectic in March, 1913. Mr W G Thomas and Miss Dr Fraser and A taste of victory H Lloyd-Price 1 Miss Lewis 0 Mold did manage a victory over Hawarden Mr H T Roberts & Mr J E Parry and later in the month: Mrs Batters 1 Miss Price 0 Total 3 Total 1

and were unable to turn the tables in May, when Holywell were the visitors at Padeswood. ON THE LINKS A mixed foursome match was played on The County Herald, March 13th, 1913 the Mold course on Thursday, between Mold and Holywell, and resulted in a victory for Intriguingly, the first name to appear on the the Holywell club by 2½ events to 1½. Peter Roberts Cup is that of Dr D Fraser in Scores: Mold – R. E. Jones and Mrs Jones 0, 1914. C. Marston and Miss H. Marston 1, B. Although there are no names on either tro- Marston and Miss Price 0, Dr Fraser and phy between 1916 and 1921, they were each Miss Fox ½ — total 1½. competed for two or three times per year in the Holywell – Kemp and Mrs Windsor early twenties. Norman Roberts won his fa- Smith 1, T. C. Roberts and Miss Lloyd Price ther’s Cup in 1922 and his own in 1923. 0, H. T. Roberts and Miss H. H. Lloyd Price 1, Rev. Fr. Jarvis and Mrs Batters ½ — total 2½. Consolidation The gentlemen of Mold fared a little better, he earlier proposals ‘to arrange matches conceding victory by just a single point: with neighbouring clubs, and also to have In a match played between teams repre- T senting Mold and Holywell Clubs, upon the monthly competitions’ were augmented when ground of the first named, Holywell won by the ladies, too, said they would arrange ‘fix- 7 events to 6. Details: This report is especially interesting as it is tures with other clubs and club competitions.’ Singles the only record we have of the President actu- These began to come to fruition in 1912, Mold – Mr C. Marston 1, Dr Fraser 0, Mr J. ally playing golf. Unfortunately, he lost his sin- which saw the first competitions for the Nor- E. Parry 0, Mr C. P. Edwards 0, Father Bell gles match and did not make the team for the man Roberts Cup and the Lady Captain’s prize. 1, Father Walsh 1, Mr T. H. Parry 0, Mr foursomes but, to his credit, he was 72 years of The February medal was won by Dr Fraser, John Hughes 0, Mr J. C. Hartley 1 – total 4. age at the time! Holywell – Mr J. T. Morgan 0, Dr H. W. S. with J E Parry and R S Kelly in second and His son, Norman, was victorious in both third places with scores of 78, 81 and 82 re- Williams 1, Mr T. C. Roberts 1, Mr H. T. Roberts 1, Mr W. G. Morris 0, Mr A. E. the singles and the foursomes. spectively. * 12 President re-elected * In May, 1912, Gladys Ravenscroft, who 1912 was brought to a fitting conclusion chairman of the County Council and High was the sister of Mold Golf Club’s first hon. with the Golf Club Social, in December: Sheriff for Flintshire. secretary, won the Ladies Championship, in GOLF CLUB SOCIAL. But the burgeoning interest in golf was to those days a match-play event, at Turnberry: A social and dance were held at the Drill Hall be rapidly stemmed by the declaration of war on Friday evening, under the auspices of the Mold in July, 1914. LADIES’ GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP Golf Club. The event proved very successful, and it is hoped that another of a similar character will be Victory for Miss Ravenscroft. held next year. About eighty persons attended, and The War Years For many reasons local golfers will heartily wel- spent a most enjoyable time. The music for dancing come the winning of the Ladies’ Championship by was provided by Mr W. Roberts’ Party, of Buckley. The town of Mold did not escape the ravages of Miss Gladys Ravenscroft, of the Bromborough The MC for dancing was Mr R. A. Thomas, and for the war. Adding to the suffering were confused and Club. Apart from the congratulations gained both whist, Major Fairclough. The whist drive resulted frequently contradictory communications concern- for herself and local golf, there are those consequent as follows : Gentlemen’s prize : Mr Taleisin Ed- ing the fate of its young men, many of whom had wards ; ladies’ prize, Miss Elsie Williams, Heming- upon her keeping up the traditions of a well-known been deployed with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in sporting family. Her father was for many years the ton. Mrs Peter Roberts, of Bromfield Hall, essence and energy of cricket in Rock Ferry, besides presented the prizes to the winners. Gallipoli and Palestine. Sport was no longer high on being himself a fine golfer and a most doughty anyone’s agenda. match player: and her brother, Mr Douglas Raven- In 1913, a Mold team comprising R. E. The County Herald reported: “For a week scroft, latterly of Mold, who up to last season played Jones, C. C. Marston, Dr Fraser, E. P. Edwards, or two following the declaration of war young for the Northop C.C., well sustains the cricketing men might be seen carrying golf sticks and honours of the family. J. E. Parry, Father Walsh and Major Keene notched up a 9 – 1 home victory over Ruthin. making towards the nearest golf links; but Miss Morgans was successful in the ladies’ lately the pressure of public opinion has be- medal winners’ medal competition. come too strong, and followers of the pastime In September, news was received from do not now care to take the risk of adverse crit- South Wales of the death of Dr Lunt who, in icism.” 1909 had been instrumental in the foundation Nevertheless, there was a determination to of the club. His interest in golf had developed keep Mold Golf Club alive and at its annual from his days as a medical student in Edin- meeting in November, 1914, William Buckley * burgh. The annual meeting of 1913 saw the re- election of Peter Roberts as President. J. Brad- burne Price became Captain, J. W. Lloyd, Treasurer and J. E. Parry and George Bellis joint secretaries. Dr. Fraser, Father Walsh, and Messrs W. Buckley, R. E. Jones, H. G. Roberts, S. G. Sharpe, R. S. Kelly and J. C. Hartley were elected to the committee. It was reported that a new groundsman had been appointed and that the links were in capital order. In June, 1914, the Ladies’ President, Mrs R. E. Jones entertained the members to tea at the clubhouse. “Approaching and putting competitions were organised, for which prizes were given by Mrs R. E. Jones and Mr W. Buckley, Hafod” William Buckley had bought Hafod from Colonel Lloyd and was to become a prominent William Buckley, C.B.E, D.L., JP Gladys Ravenscroft (left) after winning elected President in 1914 the US National Championship in 1913 figure on the Mold scene, as an alderman, 13 Keeping the club alive * was elected President, with Peter Roberts takers’ Association, a Worshipful Master of the Sir Schoolmasters Lieut. Newton Jones and ing on the vice-presidency and S.G. Sharpe the Watkin Lodge, a warden at Mold Parish Lieut. Shaw returned apparently unscathed. captaincy. Violet Wynne-Eyton became Ladies’ Church and a JP. Prior to the war, his involve- Aside from the war itself, Mold Golf Club President. In December, 1916, it was reported ment with the R.W.F. had led to his promotion mourned the losses of R. E. Jones, past captain that the Club was “being kept together” for to the rank of Captain. and treasurer, in 1915, and Father Walsh, a when the “boys” returned home. “At the an- Capt. Trickett had returned home on leave founder member, in December, 1918, at the age nual meeting, Mr W. Buckley, JP, presiding, it in November, 1915, after spending time in hos- of forty. was decided to ‘carry on’ for another year, and pital in Alexandria with injuries sustained dur- William Buckley and Lieut.-Col. Keene await the advent of more propitious times in ing the action, in August, in Gallipoli. Having were awarded the O.B.E. for their services to the realm of sport. All the officers of the club recovered, he returned to the front but it was the war effort, in the King’s birthday honours have decided to continue in office.” The course reported in April, 1917, that he had been in- list of June 1918. was eventually re-opened in November, 1919. jured in Palestine, and he was brought back to In May 1919, Violet Wynne-Eyton received The war years had taken their toll on the a hospital near London in July. a letter of thanks from the Army Council for membership. There were the inevitable casual- her loan of Leeswood Hall as an auxiliary Hos- ties and the club lost a number of its members pital for the sick and wounded. and supporters during this time; not all of them A temporary It was not until August, 1919, that it was re- as a result of the hostilities. ported: November, 1914, saw the death at Prestatyn “MOLD GOLF CLUB.—A meeting of the of Colonel Lloyd. His brother, Capt. Walter committee is members was held on Monday evening last, Lloyd, who had spent some time at Hafod and presided over by Mr W. Buckley (Hafod), was well-known and respected in Mold, was when it was decided to re-start the club; and killed in action at the Dardanelles in 1915. formed in 1919 the following were elected to a temporary ex- Early in 1915, Colonel Philips, of Rhûal, ecutive committee to get the course in order:— was injured in a fall from a horse whilst on Dr Fraser (Buckley), Capt. Roberts (Bromfield military service and lost his life in August that to re-start club Hall), Messrs. Knight (Buckley), W. Lloyd year commanding the 5th Batallion, R.W.F., at Parry (Mold), J. Bradburne Price (Mold), and Gallipoli. Williams (Post Office).” During August, there were concerns about A sense of loss of a different kind had been the health of Capt.Trickett’s wife who had been experienced in Mold when it was announced in A poignant story for many years headmistress of the Girls’ sec- June, 1915, that Peter Roberts would be leav- tion of the National Schools. Mrs Trickett ing the district to take up residence in Major W. E. Trickett, who, by virtue of his failed to recover from her illness; Capt. Trick- Bournemouth. An important consequence of close involvement in the early years of the ett was brought from hospital to be with her this decision, especially for Mold Golf Club, clubs at both Hafod and Padeswood, and hav- and was present when Mrs Trickett passed was that his son, Capt. Norman Roberts, re- ing presided over the inaugural meeting of away, on September 2nd. He was promoted to turned to Bromfield Hall and renewed his in- Mold Golf Club in 1909, can rightfully be re- Major at the beginning of November, and died terest in the club, becoming, as indicated garded as one of our founding fathers, died in on November 22nd. He was buried with full above, a member of the committee which November 1917 as a result of ‘blood poisoning military honours at Gwernaffield brought it back to life at the end of the War. arising from gunshot wound.’ His was a partic- Other casualties were less serious. Capt. Mold Golf Club was not slow in swinging ularly poignant story. Beale Marston was returned to Egypt from the back into action in the nineteen twenties. A Born in Keighley, William Edwin Trickett Dardanelles with a serious bout of a typhoid whist drive and dance was held at the Drill had come to Mold from Yorkshire to be head- related condition and Capt. J. E. Parry, the sec- Hall in February 1920. The report of this event master of the Boys’ National School. He be- ond master at the County School, was taken to concluded: “The whole proceedings were of a came chairman of Mold Urban District Alexandria with frostbite. Both were to make very enjoyable nature, and the happy and so- Council, was president of the Flintshire Teach- good recoveries. ciable character of the assembly will be long * 14 Course ‘a handicap to visitors’ * remembered by those who were present. It Capt. Norman Roberts who completed thirty- at Mold whilst the Second Team lost at Holy- should be remarked that the dresses of the lady six holes in a total of 152. well by 7½ to 5½. guests were exceedingly handsome and in the During that meeting, a team of amateurs The return First Team match at Holywell a latest fashions and designs. The dance music played a team of professionals for the Egerton fortnight later saw home side winners by 10½ also was noticeable for the inclusion of some Vase. Only two of the eight amateurs won their to 5½, but Mold managed a win against Den- of the latest productions, among which may be matches, one being Norman Roberts who beat bigh in August by 8 to 4. mentioned the Fox Trot, the Military One-Step the Llangollen professional, J. Brookes, 4 and The decade so far had seen an exciting and the Military Two-Step, the Maxina, etc. 3. resurgence of the club both in terms of the suc- The successful outcome of the affair is an en- Before the meeting closed, Capt. Roberts cess of the golf and in the social activities. The couraging augury for the opening of the golf was elected a vice-president of the newly links at Padeswood, however, remained vulner- season in the Mold district.” formed North Wales Golfing Union. able to extreme weather and, sadly, in the clos- Major Beale Marston and Capt. J.E. Parry ing days of the August of 1927, catastrophe arrived home in April. War veterans struck. J.E. Parry was once again in action when Mold met Holywell, unsuccessfully, at Holy- The move to Pantymwyn well in August. Mold managed to turn the ta- mark return bles at Padeswood in October but although the Overall, the weather pattern of 1927 had course, which had earlier been described as been unusual. The Times carried a report of ‘hardly in tip-top condition, owing to the in- snow, thunder and floods in April and there clement weather’, showed signs of improve- by winning were reports of the worst harvest since 1876. ment, it was held to be something of a In the Mold area, in August and September, handicap to the visitors. “This was demon- The County Herald reported severe flooding, strated by the fact that Mold were able to win singles matches with acres of hay being washed away at Llong. every match in the singles and lost only one in “The rapidity with which the River Alyn rose the doubles.” was without precedent.” The club’s revival continued into 1921 with In 1923, Mold Ladies beat Holywell Ladies The August rainfall had only been exceeded a match against Hawarden and a social gather- at Mold by 5 matches to 4, but the gentlemen in four months during the previous 50 years. ing at the Padeswood Links in August. Octo- of Mold lost at Holywell by 10½ to 1½. Mold “Reports from the different districts tell the ber, 1921, saw the death of Colonel Keene, were successful in a mixed-foursomes played same tale of hay cut that cannot be stacked, whose funeral took place with full military ho- at Mold against Hawarden by 3 to 1. crops beaten down and lying in water, floods in nours in Mold and in March, 1922, “the towns- On the home front, G. B. Plimmer won the many of the low-lying places, and general dis- people of Mold heard with regret” of the death President’s Cup, and Norman Roberts and G. may among the farmers.” A further storm, de- of Mr Peter Roberts. B. Plimmer tied for the Captain’s prize. scribed as the worst within living memory, 1922 was a good golfing year for the club. Members and friends held their annual so- struck in November. Mold were victorious over Hawarden in April cial, devoted to whist and music, at Clemence’s It was felt that the land at Padeswood was and romped home against Holywell, at Holy- Café in the High Street, in February 1924. no longer suitable for a golf course and the well, in June, with war veterans Capt. Norman Honours were even in the matches against committee made enquiries as to a better site. A Roberts, Capt. J. E. Parry and Capt. H. S. Shaw Holywell in 1924 and 1925, but in July 1925, Special General Meeting of the club was held each securing wins in their singles matches. Denbigh were the victors at Denbigh. The on March 14th, 1928, “when it was unani- In August, Capt. C. C. Marston won the 1926 game against Holywell at Mold resulted mously decided to transfer the site of the visitors’ prize at Royal St. David’s but unfortu- in a 10 matches to 5 victory for the home side. course from Padeswood to Pen y Parc, nately lost out when, in October, he played Such was the popularity of the fixtures against Pantymwyn.” A draft lease had been dated from a wrong tee in the North Wales Golfing Holywell that on the same day in June, 1927, February 10th, 1928. The course at Padeswood Union’s opening meeting, played over three the clubs fielded two teams against each other. was to be kept open until the new course was * days at Prestatyn, leaving the scratch title to Mold’s First Team beat Holywell by 8½ to 6½ ready, hopefully by the end of May. 15 Changing course with top pro

* The County Herald reported: “one of the He is seen below on the occasion of an ex- owing to the fact that the course was not yet first steps was to secure the services of George hibition match played when Wrexham Golf sufficiently well established for home fixtures Gadd, of Roehampton, one of the foremost golf Club moved to its new course at Borras in to be arranged. pros. of the day. His report on the proposed 1924. The Rubicon had been crossed as soon as new course was extremely favourable, and it the club had conveyed its decision, to leave was felt that in a short time the Mold Golf Padeswood, to Mr Reynolds and Miss Wynne- Club would possess one of the finest 9-hole Eyton, but the transition to Pantymwyn was courses in North Wales. The land was said to not entirely smooth. be all mountain turf and ideal for golf.” Ironi- Pen y Parc was held by John Goodwin on cally, the new location was little more than a mortgage from Alf Mather, who described him- mile from Hafod. self as a ‘Beer and Stout Bottler’. It was drawn to the club’s attention, in a letter dated June 11th, after the new course was opened, that a lease could not be granted without Alf Mather’s consent. George Gadd is on the left on the golfing quartet.

Notice was served on March 20th, to Thomas Reynolds of Plas Major and to Violet Hope Wynne-Eyton of Leeswood Hall, to the effect that the club would be giving up posses- sion of the land at Padeswood on September 29th, 1928. A letter written to R. S. Kelly on June 13th, from a client seeking information regarding the fees for the new golf course which had been laid out at Pantymwyn, suggests that it may well have been ready by the end of May. The second Special General Meeting of the year was called for June 15th, 1928. Among the items on the agenda were the questions of Sunday play and the sale of intoxicating liquors. The advocates of Sunday play won the day, The Report of the Special General as was indicated in the 1929 entry for Mold Meeting held on March 14th, 1928. Golf Club in the Golfers’ Handbook. The entry of 1930 advertised the cost of Sunday Play as George Gadd, one of three famous golfing 2/6, and it remained at 2/6 until at least 1940. brothers, was a member of the first Ryder Cup The sale of intoxicating liquors was not ap- The Notice of the Special General Meeting held on June 15th, 1928. team to play in America in 1927. proved until much later. He had been professional at Tywyn, In July, 1928, Mold lost its match against Carnarvon and Wrexham before moving to Holywell, at Holywell, by 8 games to 3. There After further correspondence, Mather’s so- Roehampton but had remained in touch with is no indication of a return match, or any other licitors wrote to John Goodwin, on October his former clubs. fixtures at Pantymwyn during 1928, perhaps 27th, demanding payment of the principal and * 16 A formidable golfer * any interest within three months or Pen y Parc phies were presented to the club. Norman won would be sold. a medal competition in January, 1912, playing It seems that, despite this setback, the so- off a handicap of 7. cial life of the club continued unhindered: Aside from this, and a match against December 14th, 1928 Hawarden in May 1912, when both Peter and GOLF CLUB SOCIAL.—A pleasant Norman Roberts were in the team, there is no evening was spent at the Bailey Hill Café on evidence of Norman’s association with Mold Wednesday last on the occasion of a whist Golf Club until 1919. drive held in connection with the Mold Golf He had moved to Llandudno where he be- Club. Mr J. E. Parry, B.A., acted as M.C. and the successful players were as follows: came a member of the Great Orme Club and Ladies, 1st Mrs Frazer: 2nd Mrs Maurice; struck up an enduring friendship with the pro- consolation prize Mrs Morgan Jones. Gents: fessional, Arthur Joseph. His game developed 1st Mr Harold Rowlands; 2nd Mr John greatly under Arthur Joseph’s guidance and in Hughes. Refreshments were provided by 1914 Norman Roberts was runner-up to the de- Mrs Ellis and afforded complete satisfaction. fending champion in the Carnarvonshire Championship Meeting at Portmadoc. The Resolution It is understood that Norman returned to In January 1929, Capt. Norman Roberts in- Bromfield Hall, from Deganwy, in 1916 when timated to the Club’s solicitor that he had a his father moved to Bournemouth. sum of money available for investment on Norman Roberts served in France with the mortgage if a suitable project could be found South Wales Borderers and was demobilised and was asked if he would be disposed to take with the rank of Captain. He was a member of Capt. Norman Roberts, President at the time the temporary executive committee when it up a mortgage on the Golf Links at of the move to Pantymwyn Pantymwyn. was decided to re-start Mold Golf Club in Au- had gone a stage further and purchased the ad- On February 19th, Mather’s solicitors were gust, 1919. joining Park Farm. It is his son Henry’s under- informed, “We have now made arrangements Capt. Roberts was by then a formidable standing that it was Capt. Roberts’s long-term on behalf of Mr Goodwin for the payment of golfer. In 1922, at Prestatyn, he became the aspiration that the land should be available for the principal and interest due to Mr Mather first scratch champion of the newly formed the club to be extended to eighteen holes when under this Mortgage, in accordance with your North Wales Golfing Union. At that same the opportunity arose. notice dated October 27th last. We shall be meeting, in the competition for the Egerton In the event, the club was able to purchase glad, therefore, if you will let us have the nec- Vase, played between leading local amateurs its original nine hole course from the Roberts essary Abstract so that we may proceed.” and professionals, he beat the Llangollen pro- family in 1959, and sufficient of the land at The mortgage agreement with Mather was fessional, J. Brookes, by 4 and 3. Park Farm, for its extension to eighteen holes, terminated on March 5th, 1929, and a new one The inscriptions on the trophies show that in 1976. established with Norman Roberts on March Norman won the Peter Roberts Cup in 1922, 6th. John Goodwin died in April, 1930, leaving and went on to win the Norman Roberts Cup in Pen y Parc to his nephew, John James Good- Captain Norman Roberts 1923. Mold Golf Club’s entries in the Golfers’ win, who sold it to Norman Roberts in June, Norman Roberts was born in Burnley of Handbook suggest that Norman’s course record 1932, thus enabling the lease of the course to Welsh parents in 1882. The census of 1901 of 68 at Padeswood, set in 1923, was never the golf club to be continued. It was fitting that shows his family living in Nelson with Norman bettered. John James Goodwin should be appointed engaged as a bank clerk. At one point in his career, Capt. Roberts Mold Golf Club’s first groundsman at The family moved to Bromfield Hall, was to be seen selling Wood-Milne golf balls at Pantymwyn. Mold, in about 1906. Norman’s father, Peter, Gleneagles. As a scratch golfer himself he was Meanwhile, in July, 1930, Norman Roberts was invited to be President of Mold Golf Club able personally to demonstrate how far the in 1911 when, it seems, the two Roberts tro- Wood-Milne ball could be driven. * 17 A healthy social life * In June, 1929, The County Herald thought it 1915, as a place of respite for servicemen. in the Assembly Hall in February, 1929, when worth mentioning that Norman Roberts, as a The initial letters of Talbot House provided it was observed that a noticeable feature of the previous winner, was one of 300 entries in the the name for the Toc H movement, which was evening was the number of lovely dresses to be eighth North Wales Championships. committed “to building a fairer society by seen at the dance. 1927 could not have been the happiest of working with communities to promote friend- The Bailey Hill Café was the venue for a years for Capt. Roberts. In March, his mother ship and service, confront prejudice and prac- whist drive held in April, 1929. Once again, died, in Bournemouth, aged 77, and his wife, tise reconciliation.” “the refreshments served by Mrs Ellis evoked Alice Wilhelmina van der Meulen, died in Sep- When the Mold branch of Toc H was unanimous commendations.” tember after a long illness. She was known as a formed in 1932, Capt. Roberts was a member The annual whist drive and dance took very musical lady, an accomplished musician of the founding committee. place at Mold Town Hall in November, when and linguist. It is from her obituary that we the President, Capt. Norman Roberts, and Dr learn that, “Capt. and Mrs Roberts have trav- Capt. Roberts David Fraser directed the dancing to music elled about a good deal, living for considerable supplied by “The Melody Four” from Chester. periods in North Wales, chiefly in the Llan- Ladies’ President, Mrs Owen E. Williams, pre- dudno neighbourhood.” drove a Rolls sented the prizes. On this occasion, refresh- It was in 1927, also, that the golf course at ments were provided and served by lady Padeswood suffered from the ravages of some members of the club. of the worst storms for over fifty years. The Phantom in Although it is evident that the social life of notice for the Special General Meeting of the club was in excellent health, there is little March 15th, 1928, shows that Capt. Norman evidence of inter-club matches at Pantymwyn Roberts was President at this time. RAC rally in the period immediately following the move. Capt. Roberts was married to Miss Doris However, the Ladies entertained Holywell Smith, a teacher at the Alun County School, in Henry Roberts remembers his father’s abid- Ladies in September, 1930, and emerged with a Manchester Cathedral, in September 1928. In ing appreciation of Arthur Joseph’s skills as a win by 4 games to 2. view of the fact that Miss Smith had graduated teacher and golf professional and it was Capt. They followed this up with a 6 games to 2 in French from Manchester University and Roberts who alerted Joseph to the possibilities victory at Holywell the following May, but Norman had a great interest in touring cars, it of resurrecting the golf course at Padeswood. were trounced 7-1 by Ruthin Ladies at Ruthin is perhaps not surprising that, as The County He arranged for Joseph to come to make the in June, 1931. Herald reported, the honeymoon, “assumes the improvements to the drainage, and the course The annual social gathering of 1931 took form of a motor tour in France, Italy, Switzer- was re-opened as Padeswood Golf Club in place at the Old Town Hall in November. land, Austria and Belgium.” 1933. Dancing took place in the tastefully decorated Capt. Roberts’ son, Henry, recalls being The Ladies’ minute book records that Mrs Assembly Hall to music supplied by Vic Fergu- told that his father once took part in the R.A.C. Norman Roberts was elected Ladies’ President son’s band with Mr R. Stewart Kelly acting as Rally, driving a Rolls Royce Phantom with in 1937, a position she held for over twenty M.C. Harold Benn, a garage-owner from Mold, as years. During the evening the Peter Roberts Cup his co-driver. was presented to Dr. J. B. Dobson and the Nor- As indicated elsewhere, the club’s move to Early Years at Pantymwyn man Roberts Cup to Mr E. I. Jones. The Cap- Pantymwyn was not without its problems and tain’s Prize was presented by Mr J. E. Parry to it was Norman Roberts who, early in 1929, As noted earlier, the Golf Club Social, held Mr R. W. Wynne. This is the earliest account came to the rescue. at the Bailey Hill Café in December, 1928, we have found of what appears to have During his war service, Capt. Roberts had took the form of a whist drive with Mr J. E. evolved separately as Presentation Evening. become acquainted with army chaplain Rev Parry acting as M.C. “Refreshments were pro- 1932 saw honours even between the Mold Tubby Clayton, three years his junior, and was vided by Mrs Ellis and afforded complete satis- and Holywell Ladies, with Holywell the 9-6 familiar with Talbot House, at Poperinge in faction.” victors at Holywell and Mold securing a 4½ to Belgium, which Clayton opened in December, The annual whist drive and dance was held 2½ win at Pantymwyn. 18 Ladies change the rules he equipment available to John James Goodwin for fairway-cutting around the Ttime of those 1932 matches included a second hand Model T Ford and a new greens mower purchased for £90, funded by Capt. Norman Roberts at 4% interest, repayable at £20 a year. The Ladies’ Section in that year was active and thriving with 36 members. At a committee The club’s entry in the Golfers’ Handbook of 1933 meeting in the clubhouse it was recorded that the Ladies’ Golf Union headquarters had “con- scription of one guinea was now payable. As sidered the Scratch Score (Ladies) of the Mold was the 3/6d fee for the rental of a locker. Golf Club and had fixed it at 70”. As World War II broke out in 1939, Len At another meeting the ladies determined Hinks-Edwards, a scratch golfer who had that Rule 29 should be altered to read: “No per- played many representative matches, lost a leg son should be allowed to enter for a competi- in an aircraft accident in Kinross, Scotland. He tion unless their subscription has previously was training young pilots when the plane he been paid”. This followed having to ask one was flying ploughed into a hillside. Despite the member to return prizes won at the previous handicap he remained a playing member at Spring Meeting “when her subscription re- Mold, winning several club trophies. He was mained unpaid”. honoured with the captaincy (1949), life mem- Subscription 2/6d bership (1953) and presidency (1980). The year ended on a cheerful note with a Crash landing Christmas Dance at Mold Town Hall on De- Another recorded aircraft incident occurred cember 2nd, organised by the ladies who also in 1940, when a Hawker Hurricane made an provided catering funded by contributions from Agenda for the 1937 AGM unplanned landing on Mold Golf Course. The members. With great sadness, members attended the pilot survived (See full story on the crash land- Mrs C O Williams, the Lady Captain, at- funeral in 1937 of Alderman William Buckley, ing, page 59). tended in 1933 an LGU meeting in Rhyl at OBE, JP, who had been elected President in While the club struggled through the war which Shield matches were arranged. 2/6d was 1914 and presided again upon the club’s post- years, J H Higgins remained Captain - the paid for the subscription, with a further half war re-start in 1919. He died in April at the age longest period of captaincy in club’s history. crown required later for Shield replicas. Back of 78, a gentleman honoured for his unstinting One of those absent on active service was the at Pantymwyn, a silver brooch given by the contribution to the community. pre-war greenkeeper and former gamekeeper at WGU was played for on an 18-hole medal In October of that year members attending Gwysaney Farm Basil “Tiny” Reece, who hap- basis. The first winner was Mrs E Mayfield. the 28th annual general meeting, held in the pily returned to his duties at the end of the con- A modicum of comfort was added to the Bailey Hill Café, were reminded that their sub- flict, later leaving to work for Jones Balers. pavilion that served as a clubhouse when in In June 1945 Capt. Norman Roberts died * 1934 running water was laid on. The following year toilets were installed following donations by members. A new competition for the ladies was introduced in 1936 following Mr Clement Burley’s generous gift of a silver rose bowl to be called the Burley Cup. The ladies’ minute book of 1932 records the membership of both Doris and Mary Roberts 19 Peace and return of whist * suddenly at the age of 63. He was survived by his daughter, Mary, from his first marriage, and by his second wife, formerly Miss Doris Smith MA, a teacher at the County School, and three children. Both Mary and Doris were members of the ladies’ section. Sadly, Mary died in October 1945 at the age of 32. The minute book observes: “We have lost four valuable members of the club in Mrs A S Jones (wife of the Club President from 1937 until 1953), Miss Fox-Bewley (Lady Captain in 1932 and 1936), Miss Mary Roberts and Captain Norman Roberts.” The following month, when the ladies gathered at the Bryn Awel Hotel in Mold for their AGM, Mrs Norman Roberts, first appointed as Lady President in 1937, was re-elected. Also reappointed were Mrs David Williams and Mrs Dobson as Ladies’ Captain and Vice-Captain Bob Davies – a versatile servant Chum Goodwin - chased off the course respectively “as they had not served their year side the wall of what is now the fifth fairway – As a boy Chum, the son of John James of office owing to the hostilities since 1939”. sometimes being chased off by Bob Davies, al- Goodwin, lived in the old Crown pub in Now that Britain was at peace, the ladies beit good-humouredly. Pantymwyn which was owned by his grandfa- felt they should encourage development of a Young Chum also caddied for Len Hinks- ther William, who later built the present Crown social side to the club, and Mrs Todhunter’s Edwards, and, truly smitten by the golf bug, pub which stands on the opposite side of the proposal for fortnightly whist drives at the club eventually bought a set of clubs, briefly road and now has club member Roly Thomas was agreed. The cost would be two shillings a as its landlord. head including refreshments. Prizes of five Chum learned As normality started to return to club life in shillings would go to the winning man and the 1946, Eddie Jones was appointed treasurer, a winning lady. The professional, Bob Davies, post to which he was re-elected annually until and his wife would receive three shillings each his golf with 1976 – a magnificent 30 years of service. At for their help. the same time hot food became available in the Bob Davies was Mold Golf Club’s man of clubhouse with the granting of a catering li- many parts. Between 1939 and his retirement walking stick cence. The following year inter-club ladies in 1974 this most versatile of servants also matches were resumed and invitations were acted as greenkeeper, steward and general fac- sent to Curzon Park, Upton, Hawarden, Holy- totum. Additionally he found time to cut the and tennis ball well, Ruthin, St Melyd, Denbigh, Abergele and greens for the bowling club in Mold, reputedly Rhuddlan. carting the mower down to Mold and back on a achieving a handicap of three in the Sixties “al- Eddie Jones was able to assure members barrow. though I couldn’t play to it”. He did, however, that the club was in a “sound position” when Activity on the course was limited in 1945, win the club scratch competition in 1969 and they met in the Central Café for the 40th an- but making unofficial visits was Norman the club championship in 1975 and 1978, and nual meeting in 1949. The Chronicle recorded: “Chum” Goodwin, now in his seventies, who still enjoys his round today, achieving his first “The secretary, Mr W Griffiths, spoke appre- recalls that as a lad of ten he would take a witnessed hole in one during the Centenary ciatively of the work of Mr Bob Davies, who is walking stick and tennis ball and play along- year. in charge of the course at Pantymwyn, and of * 20 Battle of the bar flares

* the support given by the president. Appoint- ments were: President: Mr A S Jones; captain, L Hinks-Edwards; vice-captain, G E Birch; hon treasurer Edward Jones; hon secretary, W Grif- fiths, assisted by Jack Evans; fixture secretary, O T Evans; committee, Dr J B Dobson, G P Hughes, G Morgan Jones, R Talon Jones, G B Plimmer and W L Roberts. Miss Elsby, the re- tiring lady captain, presented the season’s trophies as follows: Peter Roberts Cup, G B Plimmer; Norman Roberts Cup, O T Evans; Captain’s Prize, given by R Talon Jones, John Wright jnr; Burley Cup, Mrs O T Evans, runner-up, Miss Elsby”. A novel innovation in the same year was a ladies’ “Top Dog” league competition devised by the Lady Captain Miss Elsby in which en- trants were allowed to challenge the player above them before being challenged by the player below. This, it was felt, would encour- Sunny day for ladies outside the old pavilion-clubhouse c1950 age members to play 18 holes and put in cards. the majority favoured a draw. the Annual General Meeting”. The entry fee for each challenge was 3d. An- The battle of the bar flared again briefly in Due to the primitive conditions in the club- other introduction was a new format for Lady 1952. The question had been raised initially in house, general and committee meetings were Captain’s Day - mixed foursomes in the after- 1928 when a Special General Meeting consid- held in a variety of locations around Mold. The noon and a ladies’ competition in the evening. ered, among other things, “the question of the Bailey Hill Café was a frequent venue, as was Later that year Mrs Olive Webster was ap- the Black Lion Inn and a classroom in the pointed County Vice-Captain – an honour for Finally the County School. The ladies often made use of a the club. room at the Midland Bank. But in 1954, for the The men’s competition schedule included first time, an Annual General Meeting was held in September 1949 the annual 18-holes bogey in the clubhouse despite inadequate heating. competition for the Norman Roberts Cup pro-bar force . Clearly, there was much scope for clubhouse which, The Chronicle records, was won by 12- improvement, and another came in 1955 when handicapper Owen Tanat Evans (better known electric lighting was installed. Its arrival illu- as “O. T.”) with a score of one up. Second gained their minated yet another example of members dedi- place was shared by the Captain, R Talon Jones cating their hearts, minds, hands and not (7) and J Wright jnr (18) all square. Other infrequently the contents of their pockets to the scores included Dr J Dobson (8), J Morgan positive vote club. In this case Brian Thompson and Noel Jones (9) and J Parkinson (17) one down. Pughe not only did the work but met the cost. The vexed question of whether markers in sale of intoxicating liquor”. Presumably the In the same year another step towards greater medal competitions should be chosen or drawn proposal was outvoted, as indeed it was on this formality in the club’s organisation was taken was debated by the ladies in 1951. Miss Idris later occasion. We are informed by the club’s when finance and social committees were put and Miss Ingleby proposed the choosing of 75th anniversary booklet that “it took a further in place. partners; Mrs Todhunter and Mrs Peters urged five to six years for the pro-bar members to An era ended in 1958 when, after 21 years in a continuation of the draw system. On a vote, marshal their forces and gain a positive vote at office, the Lady President Mrs Norman * 21 Thirty more minutes to celebrate

* Roberts informed the ladies’ general meeting by letter that she did not wish her name to be put forward for the ensuing year. The Lady Captain Mrs Ceiriog Williams asked for a letter of thanks to be sent to Mrs Roberts for her long service. There was a second surprise in that same year when the biggest hole in golf appeared – the second green, constructed of a mound of spoil on the top of a mineshaft, collapsed leaving a yawning cavity (see pages 64 – 65 for full story). The problem of the second green did nothing to deter long-term ambitions, and when in 1959 the opportunity arose the original nine- Well wrapped up at the chilly 1954 AGM are the lady officers (from left) Mrs O T Evans, Mrs M hole course was purchased by the club, having J Jones, Mrs N Mitchell, Miss M E Rowlands, Miss N Elsby and Mrs C O Williams been held on lease since 1928. The conveyance, dated March 18th, was between Mrs Norman Roberts and the trustees – George Bradburne Plimmer, Owen Tanat Evans, Ed- ward Jones and John Gordon Smith. The sum involved was £1,900. The acquisition offered a reason to celebrate, and with an extra half-hour’s bar extension – to 10.30pm – granted by the local magistrates, the 1959 Captain’s Dinner in the clubhouse was a jolly affair. Meredith Jones welcomed the 40-plus members and guests who sat down to a hotpot supper, and the Mrs C O Williams (left) and Mrs Mrs Ceriog Williams and Mrs Irene Peters Olive Webster in the late fifties also in the late fifties evening ended with entertainment by Captain Lindsay and songs by Tom Evans, with R Talon Jones at the piano. Progress shaped by commitment Over the years Mold’s progress has been shaped and given distinctive style by committed, long-serving officers, none more dedicated than Andy Newall, who took on the role of secretary in the very early sixties. It was to be an appointment that extended for some 30 years in two phases, the first ending in 1973 when he Putting on the first green, c 1960

22 Freeze closes the course

* took on the club captaincy. Four years later he returned to the secretary’s desk, remaining in post until his death in December 1995. Less prominent, perhaps, but also appreciated were the lady volunteers who provided tea and a bite to eat for the men’s matches in 1961. Help was at hand, when they learned that Mrs Davies was in future to be paid 3/6d per hour to assist with the washing up. At Mrs Olive Webster’s suggestion, a rota of willing helpers was drawn up for various events the following year. The winter of 1963 was one of the coldest and longest for many years. The club was closed for almost three months, and necessary meetings were held at venues in Mold town centre. The clubhouse – still the old cricket Captain’s Day line-up, 1962: Standing (from left) are O T Evans, unknown, unknown, Mrs Ceri pavilion which had served members since its Harries, unknown, Mrs Olive Webster, Arthur George, Mrs Irene Peters, Robert Kendrick, Mrs acquisition from Mold recreation ground in Eileen Benn, Miss Rowlands, Ada Jones, Sam Jones, new Captain Eddie Jones, Gerald 1910 - was now quite dilapidated and giving Birch, Mrs Birch, Tony Davies, Mrs O T Evans, Hywel Jones, Mrs Barbara Jones, Meredith concern. What heating there was came from Jones, Mrs Gaynor Jones, Grenville Jones. Kneeling, with handbag, is Mrs C O Williams. solid fuel stoves in the locker rooms. As the winter passed, space was arranged for a trolley shed to be constructed at the side of the pro’s shed in the car park, with the Ladies’ Section meeting the cost. Those same ladies were in a somewhat less generous mood when at their November 1964 committee meeting they recorded that they felt “insulted and indignant” that no provision had been made for the Lady Captain (Mrs Nannw Mitchell) to be seated at the top table at the dinner dance in October, and unanimously decided that a letter of protest be sent to the Gen- eral Committee. It had the desired effect – the next meeting listened approvingly as a letter of apology from the General Committee was read out. All was well again, as it was in 1965 when a match between the men and ladies one Wednesday evening in June was, according to the ladies’ minutes, “much enjoyed, after which the teams sat down to a light supper of bara brith and pies, arranged by Mrs Gaynor Jones.” Winning ladies in 1965, with Lady Captain Mrs Alltwen Jones front centre. * 23 1968 - a new clubhouse

s the weather turned colder again, the ladies, having pressed earlier for the Ainstallation of a water heater in their locker room, now asked the General Commit- tee for a power point to allow the use of an electric fire. The response was that a “long lead from the main room should be tried”. The need for a new clubhouse was now beyond question, and it was at an extraordinary general meeting during the winter of 1966/67 that members were asked to support the building of a new home. This was certainly a night to remember. Those attending the meeting were sitting around numerous buckets strategically placed ABOVE: New clubhouse to catch the rain coming through the roof! In such circumstances the club’s President O T Below: Old pavilion Evans had little difficulty in persuading members that it was the best course of action. Magnificent views of the mountains As always the club found the money and the labour, and in 1968 the new clubhouse was the LGU rating being 70.” opened by O T Evans. In that year’s club hand- Then, as now, the vistas were awe-inspir- book, O T records that the new building was “a ing. The handbook informs us that “from the cedar wood structure on brick foundation. Fac- highest part of the course, some 850 feet above ing due west, it presents magnificent views of sea level, a wide panorama opens out. North- the Welsh mountains from the comfortable and wards are seen the Rhosesmor ridge of hills, spacious lounge. In addition to a well-stocked the Dee Estuary and beyond it Wirral and bar there are well-appointed ladies’ and gentle- Merseyside. The land falls away gently east- men’s locker rooms, complete with showers.” wards to the Cheshire Plain extending into the Outside the clubhouse, the nine-hole course blue distance. of that year measured 6,002 yards for the two “To the west the Clwydian Hills, culminat- circuits, with a standard scratch score of 69 and ing in the familiar landmark of Moel Famau, bogey of 72, providing, according to the hand- form a colourful rampart stretching to the coast book, “a thorough test of golfing power and ac- at Prestatyn. curacy. “The setting of the course remains delight- “Visitors may justly feel content with their fully rural. The bracing mountain air and the form if they can complete the round in a figure refreshing feeling of being away from it all corresponding to their club handicap. Ladies give added zest to the golfer.” play from forward tees at six of the nine holes, In 1968 a further half-acre of land was * 1968 - 6,002 yards for two circuits 24 How the course grew

Graphic: Linda Taylor

* purchased from the Goodwins of Bryn Hyfryd which enabled improvements to be made to the 3rd/12th hole which became known as “The Croft”. At the time, it was held that the green could be reached with a drive and a medium iron. We learn from the 1968 handbook that it was in- tended to lengthen this 300-yard hole by siting a new green on the recently-acquired land. The hole was extended to 363 yards and the handbook of 1971 records that “only the longest hitters can reach the newly constructed terraced green in two shots.” A picture (left) of the third tee and a cutting A change in the course layout meant that * (above) from the club’s handbook of 1968 25 Goodbye to the sheep

* The Croft was now the 1st/10th. It later became the 8th/17th and, following the extension to 18 holes, the green remained as the 17th, now reduced to a 163 yard par 3 known as Dodd’s. Following the construction of the present third and fourth holes on land acquired in 1988, the green and its ap- proaches became the practice chipping area. Ensuring that the course kept pace with the extravagant description of its surroundings, work continued steadily and in 1969 a springtime stone-collect- ing operation was planned in preparation for seeding the fairway to what was then the par-three 7th/16th. Considering possible involvement, the ladies decided that “participation was too much, although refreshments should be supplied to the workers out of our Captain’s Day line-up in 1971 (from left) Phil Howells, Jean Deas, Robin Hughes, Kay Hinks-Edwards, funds”. Captain Hywel Jones, Kathleen Jones, Dougie Phillips, Barbara Jones, Roy Blackwell, Mary Edwards, Robin Griffiths ‘Plant a tree in Seventy Three’

Sheep which had grazed on the course – and kept down rough which was otherwise uncut – were finally and permanently banished in 1971. This necessitated much additional mowing, but members greatly approved the cleaner course. More greenery started to appear with the “Plant a Tree in Seventy Three” programme which was introduced with the objective of defining fairways more clearly and reducing the number of inter- nal out-of-bounds on a course largely de- void of natural boundaries. The main contribution to the cost ABOVE: Prizewinners in 1966 after receiving their trophies from came from members, some bringing the Captains, Grenville Jones and Mrs Gaynor Jones. saplings from their own gardens. The course set-up in 1971. 26 Winning smiles

ABOVE: Kay Hinks-Edwards (second from Picture Gallery: Raining champions, Seven Lady right, front row), Lady Captain of Mold in 1971, with seven lady past captains at a De- Captains and winner of Captain’s Medal 1969 cember prize presentation night. Back, from left: Gaynor Jones, Barbara Jones; Shirley Hughes, Alltwen Jones. Front, from left: Joan Elliott, Mary Edwards, Nannw Mitchell, right. Picture: F B Scott

TOP LEFT: All-weather trio in the mid-70s – (from left) Fred Davies, Lionel Parry and Glyn Bellis

LEFT: Winner of the 1969 Captain’s Medal with a splendid 69 was Ben Hinks- Edwards (third from right). With him are (from left) Grenville Jones, Bert Mitchell, Baden Thomas, Fred Davies (runner-up) and Captain Phil Howells.

27 A momentous expansion

he most momentous chapter in the as Secretary; Eddie Jones as Treasurer and Sam for the purposes of golf”. A further 3.5 acres club’s development since the move to Jones as Greens Chairman. could be let on licence for an annual sum of TPantymwyn was now approaching – the Negotiations stretching back over some £45p.a. acquisition of additional land to enable exten- years approached a conclusion in April when The question now to be considered by the sion of the course to 18 holes. The officers Swetenhams, the agents acting for the trustees extraordinary meeting of the Club Council in elected at the annual general meeting in March of Park Farm, offered the club 27 acres of land May was how to raise the money – a consid- of 1975 to steer the club through a testing pe- (lying to the east of what is now the seventh erable undertaking at a time when the annual riod included Harvey Davies as Captain, with fairway) for the sum of £20,000, subject to subscription stood at £18. Colin Parry as Vice-Captain; Grenville Jones contract and a condition that it “only be used After much discussion the finance committee’s proposals to invite members’ loans of £25 upwards, and offer 20 life memberships for £300 or slightly less depending on age, were approved, with members informed by letter. Soon 18 life memberships were taken up, and with the members’ loans the total sum promised was £13,440. Without these contributions, the whole project would have stalled. Instead, grant applications to the Sports Council of Wales and the local authority could now be made. By July 1975 a contract for the purchase of the land was in the hands of Mr Peter Bird, a solicitor handling the matter for the club, and the Club Council agreed to proceed. It was noted that Delyn Council’s planning permis- *

Colourful group of ladies before a 1975 social event

Harvey Davies (centre, white cardigan) before his 1975 Captain’s drive-in The 9-hole layout that was about to change 28 Roof blown off but spirits rescued

* sion required examination of mineworking This was the voids and filling-in two mineshafts. 18-holes layout At year-end, funds remained a vital topic, proposed in mid- and the Finance Committee discussed esti- 1976 by John mates of income and expenditure for 1976, Jarman of Grange first on the basis of the course remaining at Park GC, who nine holes and secondly allowing for extension also served as to 18 holes. Their two scales of subscription professional at were approved. Mold. It would measure 5,550 yards with a standard scratch score of 69.

The two scales of subscription for 1976 n unwelcome introduction to 1976 oc- dren’s party planned for that evening had to be newly-discovered mineshaft and satisfactory curred when one of the worst storms in switched to the village hall. A quotation of landscaping. The Sports Council of Wales of- Amemory hit the area on Friday January £3,618 for repairs was accepted. fered a grant of £8,936, again with conditions. 2nd, the night when a disciplinary committee Soon Acrow props were supporting the roof In mid-year there was a change in manage- meeting was under way in the club. over the damaged extension, and in March the ment, when Harvey Davies was appointed It soon became apparent to the five or six welcome dance for the new Captain Colin caretaker Secretary in succession to Grenville officials in attendance that they were in serious Parry could be held in the clubhouse with Jones, who was leaving the area to take up a danger, so after rescuing what bottles remained dancing – albeit around the props. teaching appointment in Anglesey. He was of- on the optics those present, including Harvey Behind the bar on the night of the storm fered an honorary membership. Davies, Hywel Jones, Ian McHarrie, Grenville was Bert Mitchell, who also left hastily but Improvements continued with £2,000 to be Jones and Colin Parry, retired to the home of thoughtfully collected a glass of beer one of spent on furnishings for the recently-completed the then bar-manager Derek Davies who lived the company had been drinking, and handed it clubhouse extension, and a new tractor shed in the village. to him in the car park. Yorkshire-born Bert was was ready for use. When the officials and many members ar- respected as a gentleman of the old school with rived on the Saturday morning the scene that a clear mind and a firm hand – a stickler for the Sale of land agreed greeted them was one of devastation. Much of rules. Of the variety of roles he took on, none The good news arrived in July when the so- the roof had been torn off and some of the was more beneficial to the club than his licitor Peter Bird confirmed the acquisition of large panels had been blown into the next field course-marshalling. The sight of Bert scouring the land. The conveyance, dated June 28, was – now the 15th fairway but which did not be- the fairways armed with a green-fee pad was signed on behalf of the club by Eddie Jones, long to the club at the time. One report records not only familiar but fruitful as he challenged Andy Newall, Hywel Jones and Jim Illing- debris being carried as far as Gwernaffield. Ad- anyone he did not recognise. If the player had worth. ditionally, the latest clubhouse extension had not paid, and could not do so on the spot, he Now meaningful consideration could be also suffered damage to a wall, which was was told – not asked – to leave. given to a plan for 18 holes produced by John leaning alarmingly. Fresh impetus was given to the move to- Jarman, the club professional at Grange Park Members got together and made temporary wards an 18-hole course in April 1976 when Golf Club, St Helens, who also served as repairs to the roof on that Saturday afternoon, planning permission for developing the addi- Mold’s professional by supplying and servicing and some of the comforts of the club were tional land was given subject to conditions in- equipment. He proposed a layout measuring again available later that day, although a chil- cluding the filling and capping of a * 29 England’s Keegan feted

* 5,550 yards with a standard scratch score of when an application to join the club was re- was awarded of a gold watch and honorary 69, and attended an open meeting that dis- ceived from England soccer international membership. He was succeeded by Peter Scott. cussed members’ views. Kevin Keegan, who then lived near Cilcain. He Andy Newall took office as Secretary, succeed- By August, work commenced on shaping was quickly assured he would be welcome. But ing Harvey Davies. the new land, with Greens Chairman Sam while he played the course several times along Out on the course, just as Greens Chair- Jones reporting that he was concentrating ini- with fellow Liverpool footballers – and took a man Sam Jones had promised, 18 holes were in tially on five holes. Soil recovered after exca- starring role in a club fete – he failed to pursue play for the Captain’s drive-in in late March. vations would serve for developing tees and his application. The honour of ushering in the new era fell to temporary greens to be brought into play dur- Graham Hartley, whose fourball included Vice- ing the winter. Treasurer retires Captain J S Williams, new President Phil How- Innovation of a different kind came to ells and John Jarman. The Chronicle reported: fruition in the clubhouse when, under the lead- after 30 years “A stableford competition was played on what ership of Mold Golf Club, the Flintshire Cap- Less welcome were subscription increases could probably be the new 18-hole course lay- tains’ and Past Captains’ Association was proposed for 1977 to offset inflation and the out, two holes of which were on land being founded at an inaugural meeting in October, course extension. Male full members would used for the first time. Finishing first were Fred 1976. The instigator was Colin Parry, then now be asked to pay £27 (from £18) and ladies Davies (7) and Les Robins (8) with 39 points; Captain of Mold, while Andy Newall accepted £18 (from £12.50). Twenty five-day member- second were John Hughes and Frank Hughes the office of Secretary. Mold’s Harvey Davies, ships were to be offered at £18 for men and with 37 points, gaining that placing only on the Jim Illingworth, Robin Hughes and Phil How- £12 for ladies. last nine holes from Dave Plant and Richard ells were among the 36 who attended and be- Early 1977 found the club seeking to ac- Jones who were penalised two points for play- came founder members. Other clubs quire further land, but a tender of £7,500 sub- ing from the wrong tee at the 12th.” represented were Holywell, St Melyd, mitted for what remained of Park Farm House In view of the major changes to the course, Padeswood, Hawarden, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, and outbuildings was unsuccessful, and while perhaps their error was understandable. Rhuddlan, and Padeswood and Buckley. The there was interest in some six acres of Church While the introduction of 18 holes was gen- organisation still thrives with a membership of Farm land adjacent to the course, the owners erally welcomed, a number of members felt 200-plus. did not wish to sell. Meanwhile Eddie Jones re- that better use could be made of the land, and Excitement was generated in November tired after 30 years as the club’s treasurer and many alternative schemes were suggested and *

Geoff Gearing (second left) presents a Sports Council of Wales final Graham Hartley drives into office as 1977 Captain in the first competition on instalment cheque for £2,394 to Captain Colin Parry, watched by Sec- an 18-hole course, watched by (from left) Phil Howells, Huw Smith, Andy retary Harvey Davies (left), Treasurer Eddie Jones and Vice-Captain Newall, Tommy Sweetman, unknown, Derek Davies, unknown, unknown, Graham Hartley. and Harvey Davies. 30 Some preferred nine holes

* tried. In May the task of drawing up a plan for the course for display in the clubhouse fell to Les Robins, a draughtsman with Allis Chalmers. A scaled plan was also required which could be used on the back of future score cards together with the new local rules. There was also concern from the Greens Committee that some male members were choosing not to play the new course. Hence a notice was placed at the back of the third green The layout bearing the instruction: “Unless playing a com- produced in petition confined to the old course, from here early 1978 by on you must play the new course”. Les Robins. The last few months of 1977 brought peri- The holes on ods of intense and diverse activity. It was the new land to the left of agreed that Les Robins should put forward pro- the wall re- posals on the siting and shaping of greens on main in play the new course. On the club’s behalf, Gordon today, except Hughes reached agreement with the water au- that the num- thority for installation of a water main to feed a bers have 5,000-gallon storage tank that would be re- been altered. quired to supply each green with approx 500 gallons. The cost of laying water to the greens At the annual general meeting in March, it was layout, however, was not immediately ac- with pop-up sprinklers was estimated at reported that during the past year six greens cepted, and an open meeting was held in the £15,000. had been laid, and an inspection by John Jar- clubhouse for Les Robins give a presentation man, a representative of Fison’s and the con- explaining his reasons for the design changes. tractors Jones and Evans fully approved four, No decision was reached on the night and the Greens approved while the other two were being relaid by the matter was referred to the Club Council. After Meanwhile Sam Jones predicted that given contractors. At that same meeting JS Williams a further presentation they agreed that the new favourable weather the new course would be was elected Captain, with Colin Parry starting layout could he tried over one weekend. Tem- available for competitions by May or June what was to be a long haul as Treasurer, and porary greens and tees were mowed in prepara- 1978. His efforts would be assisted by the pur- Les Robins succeeding Sam Jones as Greens tion, and following the trial and this layout was chase in October of a second hand tractor and a Chairman. adopted for development. set of three gangmowers. Many trees were ob- At this time the Development Committee While in May 1978 it was decided that the tained, some donated by a member. In the club- was investigating a major clubhouse extension. club championship would be played over the house, a pool table introduced for two months A possible second storey to overlook the 18th existing nine holes, the Greens Committee proved popular, and the trial was extended for green was included on their agenda, although it pressed on with new-course plans. Their pro- six months. In December the Welsh Golf was recognised that this might create planning posal to place a green in front of Park Farm Union confirmed the basic standard scratch difficulties. was approved, along with agreement to allo- score as 67. At the April meeting of the Club Council cate a further £2,000 for additional develop- New Year 1978 began with a tender of Les Robins reported on course development to ment of greens and tees. £13,500 being accepted for course irrigation, date, and it was agreed that his revised layout One month later that £2,000 was ques- and contractors Jones and Evans were hired to should be given a trial for a limited period be- tioned at the Club Council, when the proposal lay greens 4, 5 and 9 and construct three tees. fore a final decision was made. This revised for the Park Farm green was deferred. The * 31 A loan from the brewery Captain JS Williams noted that the Finance * Committee were advising that “unless there was an influx of finance … it would be inad- visable to undertake further capital expenditure this year.” The Greens Chairman Les Robins said that although the full development planned by his committee could not go ahead, the financial difficulties were appreciated and alternative arrangements for 18 holes to be brought into play would be made immediately. One member observed that “for the sake of £2,000 we do not have a course”, while another said “the most unsettling element” was the continual alteration. Eventually it was agreed to accept a Greens Committee recommendation that two holes should be played in the bottom field from new tees, and that this set-up should remain in play for the rest of that season. The length of this layout was later confirmed at 5,521 yards, with the standard scratch Bill Dodd Junior (far left), the event winner, joins other competitors to watch players still on the score remaining at 67. course in a Ford Qualifying event c1979. Alongside him (from left) are Graham Clark, now a golf professional in Germany, Bill Dodd Senior, Bert Mitchell, Junior Manager Jack Benson, Edward The course, or Williams, Andy Newall, Eric Taylor and George Parry. the clubhouse? LEFT: The snacks available to members wanting The question of priorities exercised the a bite to eat on a Saturday minds of Club Council members in October night in 1981 were not when the possibility of a loan from a brewery extensive, but largely plain for clubhouse extensions and alterations was and all “with chips”. Trout, discussed. While some members contended chips and peas for £2 is that course improvements came first, the gen- remembered for being eral feeling was that clubhouse and course de- popular. velopment should go hand-in-hand. The course element was very much the BELOW: The rising cost of concern of Teg Morris, elected Greens Chair- golf at Mold man at the 1979 AGM. Beginning an appointment that was to last some 17 years, he detailed longer-term plans “to improve the existing layout and provide 18 completed greens and tees.” All of which would greatly benefit the membership, which then stood at 511. The clubhouse element was the responsibility of the House Committee, who learned in April that the lion’s share of a Border Brew- * 32 The ladies protest! ery Company interest-free loan of £10,000, re- * Treasurer’s payable over 15 years, plus a gift of £6,000 to letter cover the cost of furniture, fixtures and fittings offering would go mainly to them. Major clubhouse staged plans were detailed by architects Wheat, Ed- suscription wards and Associates involving moving the payments kitchen to provide space for an extra bar; constructing a new dining room and new gents’ and ladies’ locker rooms, plus a small committee room. By July 1979 planning permission The ladies for the alterations was in hand. The new exten- were unanimous sions would allow, if required and permitted in opposition and later, a staircase to serve a second storey. recorded that in Warm thanks were accorded to Teg Morris view of so many and Sam Jones - and many willing volunteers - years of being al- for their work on the course, all made a little lowed to vote at easier by the arrival of a new tractor and a tee the AGM, the and semi-rough cutter, as well as a caravan for great interest the greens staff. they showed in It was also due to the help of willing mem- the running of bers that water had been laid to the ninth and the club and tenth greens at a cost of £619 as opposed to a their contribu- contractors’ quote of £1,800, and the ninth tion in terms of green had been relaid for the cost of materials raising money only. Despite these economies, all the activity and catering, it impacted on costs, and in October 1979 the would be very year-end bank overdraft was forecast at unfair if they £23,000 - at a time of high interest rates. Ex- were to be * penditure in 1980 was expected to be £29,000, and rising subscriptions to some extent reflected the financial situation. Shortly before Christmas the enlarged clubhouse and new rooms, although not entirely completed, were brought into use, with Peter Scott, the Captain, paying tribute to John Parsonage “for the amount of work he put in to bring the extensions up to their present high standard.” The festive glow gave way to concern at the February 1980 meeting of the Ladies’ Committee. The cause was information passed by Peter Scott to the Lady Captain Nannw Mitchell that the rules sub-committee was rec- ommending that at the forthcoming AGM the Ladies’ day out c1982. From left, Sheila Delahoy, Megan Parry, Gaynor Jones, Karen Sweetman lady members should forfeit their vote. (now Riley), Ruth Harrison (Jackson), Debbie Jones (Barton), Mary Jeffcott. 33 Getting the hang of it

* denied the vote. They did however decide to economical maintenance methods. wait until after the February 12th meeting of His suggestions also included improving the Club Council before enquiring about the the car park and first tee, which were “out of reasons for the proposal. keeping with the nice course and clubhouse On February 18th the ladies convened an and might deter new members and visitors”. extraordinary meeting at which notes from the The following month a quote of £8,200 for Club Council were read announcing that the resurfacing the car park and nearby areas from recommendation to withdraw voting rights F G Whitley & Sons was accepted. “was modified so that ladies would only be ex- Clearly much heavy expenditure was cluded from voting for officers and Club Coun- largely unavoidable, but possibilities included cil members”. This was the Club Council extending the club’s overdraft facility, then proposal that would be put before the AGM. around £30,000. Member Allan Dalby, an ac- The ladies responded with a considered let- countant who had been invited to assess the fi- ter of protest, penned by their Secretary Mrs nancial situation, suggested that of the three Sheila Delahoy, and put forward an amend- solutions – curtailing expenditure, raising sub- ment to be considered at the AGM. This took scriptions and attracting new members – the the form on the night of a measured and elo- ideal would be to increase membership by be- quent address by the Lady President Shirley tween 50 and 100. Hughes, in which she spoke of her “disappoint- It was decided, in November, that subscrip- ment” at any proposed exclusion from voting tions for 1982 would rise to £89.70 for full rights. members and £63.25 for full lady members, with an option of two-stage payments. . The Captain concedes When she concluded, to prolonged ap- Meat Run tradition plause, Peter Scott happily conceded defeat, The Meat Run, one of the men’s most withdrew the proposed rule-change and pre- favoured traditions, was introduced at Mold in sented Mrs Hughes with a bouquet. Thus was the early eighties along the lines of a competi- the status quo preserved and a contentious tion being run at that time at the Old issue laid to rest with flowers, smiles and good Padeswood club. Feeling the pinch, or searching for a “C”? Gor- grace. Prizes for this Friday fun-run were pieces don Hughes, Graham Hartley and Albert Parry In many ways – with continuous course im- of beef, lamb and pork, and the event quickly during a 1982 golf trip provement, clubhouse upgrading and harmo- gained a regular following – meat for a week- nious relations, 1980 was another successful expert advice should be taken before more end was always welcome. year, but the star performer was the bar. money was spent. One of the rules ordained that any player, By September, drinks sales equalled the He had called in course consultant John or players, waiting on the first tee should be takings for the entire previous year, helped by a Campbell, who was impressed with the club’s willing to join up in groups with any fresh ar- record in June, and the year-end total of attractive situation and magnificent views, and rivals – a playing order that still stands. An- £41,000 represented a £14,000 increase on complimented the good standard of course up- other was that the stableford competition 1979. keep, especially considering only two men should be restricted to 12 holes in order that The cost of the new course up to September were retained on the greenkeeping staff when best use could be made of players’ time avail- 1981 – including land purchase, capital items the norm was four or five. able. and development – was assessed at £65,000. Mr Campbell presented a list of recommen- It is now played over 10 holes and proved Greens Chairman Teg Morris, in considering dations to bring the course up to modern-day so popular that for the last few years its season future plans, informed the Club Council that standard and enable the introduction of more has concluded with an 18-hole competition, * 34 Pro-Am highlight * firstly as an awayday, but more recently stay- achieved promotion in the North Wales Chal- ing home as the Meat Run Day In. lenge Shield, this time winning the Division 1 The purpose of the competition, as with so Cup to be elevated to the Premier Division. many innovations at Mold, was to assist the A celebration dinner was quickly arranged! club’s development – in this case by raising ad- They also received from Captain Harvey Harri- ditional money for projects including the tree son an unexpectedly-discovered silver trophy fund and providing a road crossing the first and which took the shape of a cake plate (see page second fairways to gain access to the green- 10) bearing the inscription “Mold Ladies’ Golf keepers’ sheds. Club Captain’s Prize 1912”. It is now contested Course record set annually on Lady Captain’s Day. A report on promoting the club, presented One highlight of 1982 was the inaugural to a Special Council Meeting in October 1983 Delyn Pro-Am in mid-June, which was suc- noted, among other things, that a men’s mem- cessful on and off the course - for the first time bership of 325-350 (the number then stood at bar sales exceeded £1,000 on a single day. 306) could be considered ideal in that it could Among many letters of congratulation was one make the club financially viable as well as from the PGA tournament director suggesting avoiding an overcrowded course at weekends. that the event should be repeated the following Later the report referred to the annual increase year, and possibly extended to two days. in membership subscriptions, recording that In a good year for individual performances, “since January 1976 they have risen by approx- Mold’s course record of 65 fell to scratch imately 500 per cent”. player Phil Jones of Rhuddlan, who shot 64 in The joining fee had risen “less spectacu- a Flintshire team championship match; Mold larly”, but to encourage new members “consid- 10-handicapper Ray Jones achieved an aston- eration should be given to waiving the joining ishing 68 gross and 58 nett in the club’s Ford fee over a limited period.” qualifier; and John Harley, the 1982 Captain, This was agreed, as was giving responsibil- * confirmed his recovery after a spell in hospital Swinging into office is the 1982 Captain John by pipping Robert Jones on the 20th hole to Harley capture the Captain’s Prize. Another “Jones”, delivery of a computer for recording scores and this time young Debbie, won the North Wales revising and storing handicaps. Junior Girls Championship at Bettws-y-Coed. Following the success of the 1973 pro- In what was described at the 1983 AGM as gramme, a second version -“Plant a Tree in “another difficult year financially” the bank Eighty Three” - was introduced, this time in a overdraft stood at £54,000, and subscriptions, more structured manner. including VAT, in the top tiers rose to £105 for Cash was raised within the club in a variety men, £75 for ladies, with instalments optional. of ways and the sum – in excess of £2,000 - Having already accepted an offer from was then matched by the Countryside Commis- PGA professional Martin Carty to set up shop sion. On a more personal level members were at Mold, the Club Council decided in February invited to donate one or more trees each. This that he should be housed in a brick-built struc- all made possible a three-year planting pro- ture as opposed to the Portakabin previously gramme of some 3,000 trees, in copses of up to considered. As requested, several members 40. Examples, now mature, can be seen behind Windblown quartet on Harvey Harrison’s 1983 pitched in with machinery and tools to tackle the ninth tee, to the right of the 11th and 12th drive-in day are (from left) Bob Edwards, Mike the task. At the same time less manual work holes, and behind the 16th green. Worsnip, Harvey and Martin Carty, the club’s would be required in the clubhouse with the For the second year running the ladies professional 35 Champagne thanks * ity for the collection of green fees to the incoming professional Martin Carty on the completion of the professional’s shop, which was due to be opened in February 1984 preceded by a “Professional’s Prize” competition. he club achieved its 75th anniversary in 1984 during the course of Mike TWorsnip’s and Sheila Delahoy’s captaincy. The celebrations centred around a week of intense golf activity commencing with the Delyn Pro-Am. The Mayor of Delyn and his entourage were on hand to start the event. No- table competitors included Howard Kendall, the Everton FC manager, and Mark Roe, then an assistant professional at Arrowe Park Mu- nicipal Golf Course on the Wirral, later a member of the European Tour for 21 years. When he arrived at Mold, Mark’s car was still daubed with white paint – a legacy of overnight vandalism on Merseyside. But while Captain’s Day line-up in 1986 (from left) Baden Thomas, Eryl Williams, Ian McHarrie and Gordon he was out on the course putting together a tidy Hughes 68 that earned him joint second place, one of Mold’s members took it upon himself to clean less-enviable reason. He was disqualified along a single hole-in-one were 43,000 to one. Ian’s the paint off the car. That gentleman was the with Jesper Parnevik when two shots off the drive-in that year also gave his Vice-Captain Pantymwyn painter and decorator Tommy lead in the 2003 Open Championship. They Gordon Hughes the opportunity to introduce a Sweetman. Surprised and delighted, Mark gave had forgotten to exchange cards on the first tee novel sweater design. Tommy his prize of a bottle of champagne. - and as a result entered their scores on the August 1986 saw Keith Raffan, MP for * Tommy passed away suddenly in December wrong cards. 1995 but memories of his good deed live on. The logo for the 75th anniversary, Mark Roe is also well-remembered, but for a designed by Iori Jones, adorned both the flag and club sweaters of the time. Pro- ceeds from the sale of a brochure retrac- ing the club’s history went towards donating a hardwood garden seat for the newly-built Mold Hospital. During the year the club was honoured by the election of John (“The Car”) Hughes as County Captain. At the same time Karl Lurz was presented with his county blazer and badge. Early 1986 saw Captain Ian McHar- rie making local newspaper headlines by holing in one on the 13th – his third ace. Tommy Sweetman finishes his cleaning job on According to the paper, the odds against Mark Roe’s car. 36 Mosquito flying display berships were also offered on a first-come, first-served basis as follows: Gents Ladies Age 50: £2300 £1790 51 – 55: £1650 £1285 56 – 60: £1300 £1000 60: £1000 £775 The proposals were accepted. The offers were taken up, the money was raised and the additional land, which would eventually house the new third and fourth holes, could be purchased. By tradition, Tuesday has always been Ladies Day at Mold, but following an incident on the first tee when two lady golfers were not given priority by a dozen male golfers, the tee was officially reserved from 4pm until 6pm. This has remained in force for some years. The brochure celebrating the club’s During the course of 1988 and 1989, work 80th anniversary began on alterations to the clubhouse. These included new locker rooms, a new kitchen and * Delyn, opening a Grand Fête sited on the first secretary’s room. When the improvement fairway. An array of entertainments included a schedule was completed, an official opening 10-mile fun-run, a tug-o-war contest, a demon- ceremony was conducted in the main lounge in stration by the Clwyd Fire Brigade and a half- December by the club’s Secretary Andy hour flying demonstration by Mosquito Newall. RR299, the last flying Mosquito in the world. This event coincided with the club’s 80th The aircraft was owned by British Aerospace, Lady Captain Elizabeth Harrison perches on birthday. In fact, the “opening” completed a the offending JCB and was captained by Pantymwyn resident three-year programme of extensions and refur- Tony Craig, a former RAF pilot engineer and bishment and the Captain, Iori Jones, acknowl- the gap. then a BA test pilot. The famed Red Arrows, edged the commitment and hard work of key On a brighter note, a highly successful by coincidence giving a display at Southport, members of the club in a souvenir brochure show was staged at Easter. The club enjoys a passed overhead twice. produced in the same month. reputation for highly amusing and entertaining During the winter of 1987 it was learned Out on the course heavy machinery was productions in which members are not afraid to that adjacent land was to be made available for employed as major changes began, and pa- demonstrate their undoubted talents to recep- purchase. However, the price of £25,000 was tience was required during this time. One me- tive audiences, and this was among the best. not readily available in club funds, and an Ex- chanical monster had to be moved off the first Success for the Ladies Section was sweet in traordinary General Meeting was held on July fairway on Elizabeth Harrison’s Lady Cap- 1992 when they won the Laird Shield in its di- 23rd to consider the proposal of the Club tain’s Day. amond jubilee year. The Laird Shield, an inter- Council. The Treasurer gave details of the pro- The year 1991 was particularly sad for the club match-play competition for teams of five posed method of funding and the following club. The Captain, Dudley Carvin, was ill players, was devised and started in 1932 by was agreed. Members could either pay a lump throughout his period of office but bravely Mrs Mabel R Laird of the Camell-Laird family, sum of £65 or make five annual payments of continued until his passing. The President Har- and Mold was among the founder clubs. The £18 each. vey Davies, Past Captain Roy Blackwell and stated intention was to encourage clubs from * A limited number of age-related life mem- Vice-Captain John Delahoy rallied round to fill North Wales to compete with each other to pro- 37 Finding the way forward * mote contact and friendship. The trophy is contested to this day. A lorra, lorra Following the completion of the new third and fourth holes a ballot at the 1992 AGM voted in favour of playing the course as it is set laughs for up today and not simply replacing the old 16th and 17th holes. This meant that play would Val’s Blind now finish behind the clubhouse. The new holes were opened on Sunday May 16th, 1993, Date with certain temporary restrictions such as preferred lies on the fairways and a pick-up-and- LEFT: Val Hughes, alias drop rule in the new tree plantation. Full play Cilla Black, with Diana commenced three weeks later. Bellis in a sketch based That summer brought success for the men’s on Blind Date in the scratch teams, who won the Flintshire league. Easter show of 1991. A Mold scratch team also contested the 1993 Welsh team championships. In September 1993 the Club Council pro- LEFT: The Mold Ladies posed that a committee be set up to investigate who won the Laird Trophy what was termed “The Way Forward” for Mold in 1992 (back, from left) Golf Club. For some time there had been gen- Shirley Dalby, Beryl Mor- eral agreement that the Club Council was too ris, Joanna Hughes, Freda big and that a new, streamlined committee Hughes, Peta Bellis, Mary would be more beneficial to smooth running. Edwards; (front, from left) Four members, Chris Mills, Harvey Harrison, Anne George, Megan Brian Jones and Colin Cannon were elected to Parry, Lady Captain Au- work alongside the Captain, Keith Chamberlin, drey Howarth, Debbie and the Secretary, Andy Newall. Their findings Jones and Gaynor Jones. would then be submitted to the November Council meeting and subsequently to the AGM. Re-siting the car park entrance; enlarging the son Rhys took office as Junior Captain – the Tentatively it was suggested that the Coun- car park; developing practice facilities close to first time in club history that this has happened. cil should be reduced from 26 members to the the clubhouse (e.g. putting ground, practice On the evening of May 17th, 1995, a Spe- following: President, Captain, Vice-Captain, nets, practice bunker and chipping area); re-sit- cial General Meeting was convened to approve *Secretary, *Treasurer (*or Secretary/Manager ing both the 18th green and 18th tee to accom- the proposals contained in the document enti- absorbing both positions), two members of the modate the above to take place. This was tled “The Way Forward”. With the support of Ladies’ Section, chairmen of the Competition, suggested as a high priority in a Hawtree Re- 32 of the 54 members present, the plan to Greens and House committees, Junior Man- port on grounds of safety. streamline the Club Council (now to be entitled ager, three members elected from the floor and In the event grants were not forthcoming, the “Management Committee”) was approved. the Professional. The eventual outcome would but many of these objectives have since been It was also agreed - without opposition - see the number reduced even further. achieved. Plans for the 18th green were drawn “that the Management Committee be responsi- During the course of 1994, plans were up and put into place during the course of the ble for finance, all staff matters, long-term drawn up to develop club facilities. The proj- following year. planning, course management and design ects, which were dependent on grant applica- A family double occurred in 1995 when changes, clubhouse services, security of the tions to various outside agencies, included: Dave Ashworth was elected Captain and his club’s assets, numbers and categories of mem- * 38 Bizarre weather * bers, visitors and societies policy, and compli- ance with relevant legislation”. This would come into effect on December 1st, 1995. The chairmen of the individual committees would select their own members and would report the names of same, in writing, at the first meeting of the Management Committee following the AGM. They would submit in writing recommendations for approval at subsequent Management meetings. These proposals were also passed without dissent. However, when the attendance sheet was collected and revealed that only 54 members were present, Rule 16 of the Constitution was brought to the attention of the meeting. This states that no rule of the club shall be repealed and no new rule shall be made save by a majority of two-thirds of the membership present at a General Meeting. At such a meeting, amend- ments to the proposal may be made but they must be relevant to the proposal and must be Representing Mold in the 1993 Welsh team scratch championships were (back from left) Mark only to leave out and/or add words. Jones, David Ledsham, Don Layfield (manager), Nick Tomlinson, Adam Bellis and Viv Blackwell Since only 32 of the members present voted (captain); (front, from left) Tim Davies and Karl Lurz. for the proposal, it was not carried. The whole process had to be reconvened in a special meeting prior to the AGM in December, when “The Way Forward” was adopted by the members with the exclusion of the Junior Man- ager’s position and the addition of the Chairman of the Finance Committee. The membership also ratified the decision of the Management Committee to appoint a Secre- tary/Manager in accordance with the agreement of the 1994 AGM. The Management Committee would in fu- The first fairway - more like a ski run than a golf venue. ture number 13 and comprise the following: President, Captain, Vice-Captain, Sweetman. with some bizarre weather, but a six-hour Secretary/Manager, two members of the The final cost of the 18th green was in the power cut meant that scores could not be en- Ladies’ Section, chairmen of the Competition, region of £30,000 and it was the last to be con- tered into the computer, there was no facility Finance, Greens and House committees, plus structed by outside contractors. It was first for the caterers and, worse still, the bar could three members elected from the floor. opened on Linda Taylor’s Lady Captain’s Day not be opened. Happily the electricity was re- During the course of that December 1995, in 1996. stored in time for the evening’s presentation the club sadly lost two of its longstanding The men’s Captain’s Day in the same year when it was Les Robins who took the Cap- members in Andy Newall, who had first been brought unexpected problems for the incoming tain’s Prize, being the best of only three golfers appointed Secretary in 1977, and Tommy Dewi Ingman. Not only did he have to put up who bettered the par on the day. * 39 Trio of aces * During that busy week of golf, veteran Bob Richard Hughes, who continued in post until good golfer” and when asked to name him, Edwards conjured up a moment of magic on December 1999 in partnership with Tony replied: “Ian Woosnam”. the par three third during a senior competition, Davies. A junior assistant, James Evans, was On Don Layfield’s Captain’s Day in 1998 it holing his five wood from 167 yards for his appointed and made such progress that he was appropriate that John Roberts won the fifth ace of a long career. Not to be outdone, eventually took up full-time professional work Captain’s Prize as he was also to be later ap- Dewi and Lady Captain Linda Taylor both at the Royal Jersey club. pointed as County Junior Organiser in recogni- achieved an ace during their term of captaincy. On one occasion, while giving a lesson to a tion of the success he achieved as Mold’s Linda was also proud to be in office in a year group of hopeful young lady golfers, James Junior manager. when the ladies again won the Laird Trophy. asked if any of their parents played the game. Another honour bestowed on the club in Celia O’Sullivan, Lady Captain for 1997, One responded that her father was “quite a 1998 was having the President of the Welsh also suffered from the elements. Heavy snow Golf Union, John Jones, better known through- wiped out her drive-in, which was postponed out the golfing world as J.R., as the guest until mid March, and on Lady Captain’s Day speaker at the Captain’s Dinner Dance. the rain never stopped. The golfing family Ashworth completed an Several changes in personnel took place unprecedented treble in 1999 when Emily fol- in 1997. In January Bob Lewis was appointed lowed the footsteps of her father and brother Secretary/Manager, a post filled by club mem- into a captaincy. At the age of 17 and playing bers since the death of Andy Newall. Bob em- off a handicap of 10, Emily was appointed Jun- barked on the onerous task of computerising ior Captain - the first girl to hold the position. the club’s accounts, but in July of that year he Four years earlier father Dave was Club Cap- resigned due to personal reasons and was later tain, and brother Rhys was Junior Captain. replaced by Dave Wise. Another first for the club in 1999 was Cap- In April 1997 Martin Carty, the club’s Pro- tain Ken Dear’s decision to hold his Captain’s fessional for 15 years, left Mold to pursue a Dinner Dance in the clubhouse. career as proprietor of a guest house on the Linda Taylor and Dewi Ingman both holed in In 2000, Captain John Stephens selected west coast of Scotland. He was temporarily re- one in their captaincy year of 1996. They are the Leukemia Care Society as his charity, and placed by Tony Davies of the Old Padeswood pictured at the Royal Liverpool while playing in an exceedingly successful fund-raising drive it club. the 1995 Hoylake Trophy turned out to be. Among his activities, he and * The post of Secretary/Manager changed again 1998 with the resignation in July of Dave Wise. He was succeeded by Gareth Gruffydd - no mean golfer having been a scratch player and club champion at Nefyn for several years. In May of that year Colin Jones, formerly assistant greenkeeper at Padeswood and Buck- ley, took on the role of head greenkeeper at Mold. This proved an inspired appointment as he set about transforming the course into one of the finest in the North West, also producing booklets documenting the development of the course as well as its fauna and flora. Around this period there were further changes in the professional’s shop. Neil Coul- son, who started the year, resigned in the summer and was succeeded by an “old boy”, Soon to be a family of captains – Dave, Emily and Rhys Ashworth pictured in 1994 40 Close shave for charity * five other members permitted their heads to be safe passage through any difficult times, and shaved at a sponsored function in the club- always had the club at heart. house, in the process contributing more than In his acceptance speech, Colin said he was £2000 to the cause. extremely honoured. In the past he had always The good sports who volunteered were Jun- stated that clubs should not give such honours ior Captain James Evans, catering manager lightly, and therefore he felt embarrassed to re- Mike Tierney, barman Mike Howell-Walmsley, ceive the award. He was delighted that the new past captain Harvey Harrison and – very Finance Chairman was able to confirm that bravely – the Captain’s wife Jean Stephens, things always got better towards the end of the who was assistant curate at Gwernaffield financial year. He had enjoyed his years at the Church at the time. She confessed that her ap- club, which was now on a very firm and steady pearance turned more than a few heads in the footing. His only regret was that he wished he congregation on the following Sunday. could be starting out now to enjoy all the facili- Later in the year John attended a charity ties. event at the Warwickshire Golf Club where he Highlights of the golfing year in 2004 were was presented with a new Kawasaki Mule, a Mark Jones setting a new course record with utility vehicle, for raising the most money in an outstanding gross score of 60 – despite bo- the United Kingdom for Leukemia Care. The geying the 16th and 17th - and Mark Davies former England footballer and television per- winning both the Club Championship and, with sonality Gary Lineker played in the day’s com- John Stephens accepting his prize from Gary partner Craig Hughes, the Summer League. Lineker petition and later presented John with his prize. As part of the major course development The first Mold green to be built entirely by another success for the greenstaff. Further re- plans, the seventh and 15th tees were recon- club staff was opened in May 2001. The 14th medial work had to be carried out on the ap- structed as one large teeing area, now matured green was designed by the Greens Committee proach to the green but this did not detract and attractive. Mean- and constructed under the guidance and leader- from the quality of the surface. while there was a ship of head greenkeeper Colin Jones. The ex- Work began in October on redeveloping the change in the club’s ercise proved so successful that it was repeated ninth green. Trees were removed and the wall administration, with later in the year when work began on re-siting behind it was rebuilt. The new, deep bunkers Chris Mills taking on and building the new fifth green. Unsurpris- would become a testing feature of the hole. the role of ingly employing in-house expertise proved far The club’s scratch team, consisting of Karl Secretary/Manager. more economical than using outside compa- Lurz, Tim Davies, Alex Bradbrook and Nick During the AGM of nies. Tomlinson qualified for the Welsh Team 2004 the Captain, Wilf New tee signs were Club Captain John Ellis began a new tradi- Championships at Tenby - only to be defeated Taylor, proposed that introduced in 2005 tion in September 2001 with a “Captain’s tour” by Whitchurch, Cardiff, in the first round. Teg Morris be awarded playing at three venues - Aberdovey, Harlech This year’s Captain’s Tour to Nefyn was a life membership for his contribution over and Nefyn. As the Ryder Cup of that year was highlighted by the final shot of the day – many years. His work as Greens Chairman, postponed due to the events of 9/11, the tour Gareth Evans holing out from a bunker for an plus his active hands-on experience, had kept party’s own version was held at Harlech where eagle two. He gladly accepted the whisky! Mold Golf Club going through the 1970s and “Wales” took on the “Rest of the World.” The At the AGM of 2003, Colin Parry was 80s. The Captain’s proposal was unanimously “Rest” were the victors on this occasion. awarded a life membership for his services to approved by the members. In acceptance, Teg It was around this time that Peter Mather the club over a period of 40 years. Colin, reminisced about past years and closed by was appointed as Secretary/Manager, succeed- whose father had been a member before him, thanking all present for the honour. ing Gareth Gruffydd. was Captain in 1976 and President in 1992-93. The run of bad luck endured by lady cap- In May 2002, the new fifth green was He had taken on many roles over the years, in- tains continued when Robina Gale attempted to opened in time for Invitation Day and proved cluding Treasurer and Finance Chairman, and hold her drive-in. Both the original November * provided guidance when required to ensure 41 Website lifts club profile * date and the rearranged event in February 2005 clubhouse and boost- were postponed due to snow. She eventually ing bar takings. How- drove into office in April. ever, despite much Social events in that year were mainly publicity, “Elvis” “tribute” evenings with performing groups in- failed to turn up yet cluding the Beatles and Abba. “Elvis” was also again. Perhaps ru- booked - but failed to turn up on two occa- mours of his death sions. were not exaggerated! Attractive new signs on the tees lent an im- The Meat Run proved appearance to the course. Past Captain contributed £800 to- Viv Blackwell was instrumental in their pro- wards the cost of the duction. The Meat Run funds contributed to dry stone wall which the decorative chains around the first tee. was reconstructed be- The clubhouse again came under close tween the ninth green scrutiny in 2005, and preliminary investiga- and 15th tee. This has tions were conducted into two possibilities – proved a splendid ad- the building of a new clubhouse, or a full refur- dition to the course as bishment including some rebuilding of the ex- Christening the reconstructed 17th green are (from left) Peter Richards, has as the wall built isting structure. Both options were fairly Head Greenkeeper Colin Jones, Paul Evans, Lady Captain Joy Burton, to enhance the sixth costly. The Management Committee decided to President Don Layfield, Greens Chairman Peter Roach and Captain Bill tee. All the materials suspend any further action until the club was in Spence and labour for this a position to move forward. project were supplied A well-received innovation was the intro- One man who did much to engender con- by club member Malcolm Davies. duction of a new Mold Golf Club website, viviality in the clubhouse retired in the same Having represented Flintshire for many which significantly raised the profile of the year. Ray Sandall, who was appointed steward years, Karl Lurz was honoured by being club. Among other benefits, competition in 1980, had remained in post for 26 years elected County Captain, an office he retained draws and results from various club sections without ever forgetting a name or a face. while still playing for them. were published on a weekly basis. The website expanded with the addition of The reconstructed 17th green was opened The culmination in 2005 of much hard open competition advertisements, social diaries in May 2007 just prior to Invitation Day – yet work by many members, employees and volun- and a quarterly newsletter as well as results another excellent undertaking by the green- teers came with the award to the club of a Sil- and competition tee times. By the end of the staff. No sooner had the summer season fin- ver Medal in the HSBC Wales Regional Course year there had been 20,000 “hits”. ished than the team began the task of Rankings, presented by Golf Monthly maga- With the Centenary Year in view, a small improving the eighth green, enlarging it zine. but qualified committee was formed to put the slightly and offering more subtle borrows than The judges’ criteria included quality of wheels in motion and the first meeting took previously. course design and test, fairness, visual appeal, place in the October. Some two months later Beth Davies, play- enjoyment and presentation as well as the am- Initial ideas included twinning with other ing off four, broke the ladies’ course record bience/history of the course and clubhouse fa- clubs, a Pro-Am and other special competi- with a stunning round of 65 gross. cilities. tions, dinners and a historical publication about In January of 2008, a grant of £200 was ob- The excellent new ninth green with its fea- Mold Golf Club. In anticipation of the Cente- tained from the Golf Union of Wales which en- ture bunkers was opened in 2006, and course nary, a complete redecoration and improve- abled all the greenstaff to enroll on a dry stone development continued with drainage of the ment of the bar and lounge area was walling course. Their newly-acquired knowl- 12th fairway and practice ground. All the work completed. edge was put to good use during the autumn was completed in-house, again demonstrating On a lighter note, the Social Committee when the wall between the 7th and 15th fair- the skill and expertise within the club. provided many successful evenings, filling the ways was extensively renovated.

42 Raising the flag for 2009 ENTENARY year 2009 dawned “One hundred years later it has devel- clear, bright and very cold. Those oped from those humble beginnings into a Chardy members playing in the thriving and successful golf club providing nine-hole mixed competition on January recreational and social facilities for its cur- 1st ventured out warily onto a course still rent total of 750 members,” he said. bleached white by overnight frost. “We now play our golf on an award- It was scarcely warmer later when the winning 18-hole course set in beautiful club’s President Dave Ashworth, cheered countryside; we have an important role in by an audience of close on 140 members the community, contributing generously to and guests, hoisted the Centenary Flag to charities; and the club has no debts – it has signal officially the start of the new era. paid for everything it owns. Before the ceremony the gathering, “For what we currently enjoy we must some suitably garbed in Edwardian dress give grateful thanks to the generations of including plus fours, pantaloons, hats and our members who have nurtured, toiled, petticoats, stood with heads bowed to hear and improved all aspects of the club * a blessing by the Rev Jean Stephens, a former Lady Captain. They were also addressed by Club Captain Martyn Scholes who welcomed dignitaries including Flintshire County Council chairman Quentin Dodd, and Flintshire County Captain and Lady Cap- tain Berwyn Griffiths and Joan Beesley. Describing the club’s birth and progress, Martyn told how in 1909 a group of golfers from the town formed Mold Golf Club, playing on a small nine-hole course alongside the railway line at Members recall the fashions of last century Padeswood.

President Dave Ashworth raises the special flag to signal the start of Centenary Year. Stylish line up at the Centenary ceremony 43 An inspiration to progress

* through good times and bad. What has been achieved in the first 100 years should act as an inspiration to continue the progress, and carry the best of our traditions long into the 21st century.” Typical of the generosity of the club’s members is the fine, stone-built starter’s shelter on the first tee donated to mark the Centenary by two past captains and life members Harvey Harrison and Hywel Jones. The shelter’s gates and seat were provided by the Senior Section. As the pair officially opened the building 74-year-old Hywel, who joined in 1948 and is believed to be the club’s longest-standing active member, said: ABOVE: Well wrapped onlookers at the ceremony. “We wanted to build something that would leave a lasting legacy, not only to RIGHT: A blessing from the Rev. Jean Stephens, commemorate the 100 years past but to be accompanied by Captain Martin Scholes. used by members and visitors for decades to come.” BELOW: Cold but committed, the crowd help mark Those same members and visitors will the club’s 100th year. now have no excuse for being late on the tee thanks to a new, king-sized clock on the front of the clubhouse which was unveiled by Elizabeth Harrison, who was serving as Lady Captain for the second time in 20 years. To the amusement of onlookers, the clock displayed a time of 10.30 – three hours slow – and Martyn Scholes quipped: “It seems that time has stood still”. Finally, the day’s cast and audience filed into the clubhouse to watch two paintings being unveiled – the first a gift from the Past Captains, by Keith Cham- berlin, President of Flintshire Past Cap- tains; the second a gift from Ruth Urwin, by Lady President Audrey Howarth – and to applaud the winners of the day’s competition, Paul and Val Hedgeland with 19 points for nine holes. 44 Time to celebrate 100 years

ABOVE AND BELOW: Specta- tors gather in front of the club house. TOP RIGHT: Hywel Jones and Harvey Harrison open the starter’s shelter they donated. RIGHT: Lady Captain Elizabeth Harrison unveils the Centenary clock. BELOW RIGHT: Lady President Audrey Howarth unveils a painting donated by former captain Ruth Urwin - and Keith Cham- berlin, President of Flintshire Past Captains, presents a painting on Unveiled ... a slow start to the centenary celebrations behalf of past Mold captains.

45 Casino night fun Congratulations from T WASN’T quite Monte Carlo, but Mold’s Particularly well patronised were the wheel clubhouse was transformed into a Mecca of fortune and the horseracing track, which of- The Royal and Ancient Ifor gamblers at the Centenary Casino Night fered generous payouts to those who backed in late January. the right winners and trainers. It all wound up RECOGNITION of the club’s Centenary Some 90 “punters” paying £10 each were with an auction at which the most successful came, in January, from as far distant as handed a bundle of “funny-money” to risk at punters made funny-money bids for a splendid Scotland and as close as High Street, Mold. tables manned by centenary committee mem- array of donated prizes, and the night gener- First came a letter of congratulation and bers appropriately dressed as casino staff. ated a handsome sum exceeding £1,000. good wishes from the Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews. Then in mid-month the bells of St Mary’s Parish Church rang out to celebrate the anniversary, when ringers including Ringing Master Roger Howes, who is also a club member, performed a “quarter peal”. This involves 45 minutes of non-stop ringing with 1,260 changes – and is rung at Mold to recognise special occasions, among them the visit of The Queen in 2003.

Congratulations from the headquarters of golf, The Royal and Ancient GC of St An- drews 46 Honours and humour OHN STIRLING’S lifetime in golf has re- Scholes. So successful was Martyn that £1,700 warded him with a CV richly decorated was quickly raised for the year’s two chosen Stunning performance Jwith honours. To list a few: Captain of the charities Nightingale House and NEWSAR, a Professional Golfers’ Association in 1989, the locally-based search and mountain rescue or- to amass 50 points year in which the Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, ganisation. ENTRIES, including many from visiting Curtis Cup and Eisenhower Trophy golfers, were full for the five main events of were secured; PGA of Europe Golf Mold’s Centenary Open week in July. Professional of the Year in 1998; a Perhaps the most spectacular of many past national coach of the English fine performances came in the Seniors’ Golf Union; and PGA training 4bbb stableford event when Mold members academy tutor for nigh on 40 years. Mike Bartleet and Barry Brine, playing off That proud record also includes three-quarters of handicap, amassed a stun- club professional and Open Cham- ning 50 points. The week’s results were: pionship competitor, but it omits July 6 – Seniors’ 4bbb Open: 1 M mention of his irresistible talent for Bartleet & B Brine (Mold) 50pts; 2 G humour that had a large clubhouse Hughes & L Robins (Mold) 48pts; 3 B audience in stitches as he reeled off Twiss & J Acrotopulo (Hale) 46pts. 84 pairs wry and gentle anecdotes of how a played. coal merchant’s lad from the tene- July 7: Ladies’ 4bbb Open: 1 S Rosier ments of Glasgow rose to the high- (Mold) & E Birkin (Denbigh) 42pts: 2 D est level of his calling. Whalley and D Williams (Rhuddlan) 41pts; The occasion was the Centenary 3 E Crowther and E Phillips (Mold) 38pts. Charity Auction on March 27th, Visitors’ Prize: M Mathews and M Hannen and when John sat down to pro- (Denbigh) 38pts. 66 pairs played. longed applause members were in July 8: Men’s 2-3-4 team Open: 1 D the mood to bid generously for Jones, J Roberts, W Brown, B Hares some 50 items to be sold off by the John Stirling (centre) with Captain Martyn Scholes and (Northop) 112pts; 2 R Thomas, G Smith, J “auctioneer” – Captain Martyn Elizabeth Harrison, Lady Captain McInerny, A Forshaw (Chirk) 110pts; 3 Paul Stanton, R Stacey, S Kerrigan, B Mitchell Helen and Joy were (Mold) 108pts. 42 teams played. July 9: Mold Seniors’ Centenary Trophy Daily Mail knockout (men’s individual): 1 B Ridler 44pts; 2 D Thurston 43pts; 3 R A Hill 40pts. 41 played. CONGRATULATIONS to Helen Hughes July 10: Centenary Meat Run (10 holes, (handicap 26) and Joy Burton (handicap men’s individual): 1 D Hendrick 26pts; 2 J 12) who reached the last 16 of the UK- Silcock 24pts; 3 D McCormick 24pts. 103 wide Daily Mail Foursomes knockout played. competition before being eliminated in July 11: Men’s 4bbb Open: 1 P Day & J the finals at Forest of Arden in October. Boulton (Mold) 46pts; 2 T Brand & G In the earlier rounds Joy and Helen Evans (Mold) 45; 3 K Monty & G Wor- beat pairs from Northop, Padeswood and thington (Bidston) 43. 92 pairs played. Buckley, Flint, St. Melyd, Maesdu, July 12: Mixed 4bbb Open: 1 J & E Blackpool De Vere Heron’s Reach and Phillips 41pts; 2 G & Miss A Walsh 41pts; 3 Welshpool. H & E Harrison 40pts. 78 pairs played. Helen Hughes (left) and Joy Burton 47 Snooker champion has a ball

H, what a night it was! Mold is renowned as a golf club that knows Ohow to celebrate, and the Centenary Summer Ball in June matched all expectations – in no small part due to the lively and frequently hilarious contribution of John Parrott, the evening’s guest of honour at the Beaufort Park Hotel. The versatility of this 1991 world snooker champion has carried him from the green baize tables to the TV studios and captaincy of a Question of Sport team for several years, as well as appearing alongside Steve Davis as a tournament commentator and more recently as a horseracing expert out on the courses. The snooker legend, who admitted that his first sporting love was bowls until his mastery of the cue started to dominate, somehow found the time to become an accomplished golfer and acquire a handicap of three. And it was with a game of golf that his day at Mold began. John partnered Club Captain Martyn *

TOP LEFT: John Parrott teamed up with Captain Martin Scholes, Lady Captain Elizabeth Harrison and Bill Spence to win the day’s Am-Am golf competition before (above) taking on the role of principal speaker at the evening’s Centenary Ball and providing great entertainment for the diners at the surrounding tables.

48 Just a little blush

MC Tudor Hughes finds the words ...... to embarrass John Parrott ...... who quickly hides his blushes * Scholes in a team of four completed by Bill ing career, peopled by larger than life charac- Spence and Lady Captain Elizabeth Harrison, ters, was the backdrop as he entertained an au- who won the raffle for the privilege. dience of 100-plus with a succession of tales Appropriately John’s team claimed first and anecdotes of life on the snooker circuit place in the Am-Am competition with a score with players like “Hurricane” Higgins, Big Bill of 91 points. Werbeniuk and Steven Hendry, and the fun and The course, in immaculate condition for the games he enjoyed on Question of Sport with Centenary Open Week that followed, won opposing team captain Ally McCoist and pan- praise from John not just for its superb condi- ellists including boxer Chris Eubank. tion but also for the challenge it offered. “It’s Finally it was time for an auction, in which Tony and Marie Moore, Don and Diane Farrington not just a track where you blast the ball – you a signed cue donated by John Parrott raised have to think your way round and place your £270, followed by dancing, the live band keep- shots” he said. “I really enjoyed it.” ing the action going with a swing until mid- Later at the dinner table John’s rich sport- night. They came to dance to enjoy themselves, and to listen to the band until the midnight hour Gerry and Agnes Walsh, Val and Paul Hedgeland

49 Ah, the Good Old Days Sipping from the cup of success - and surviving

HE elongated table groaned under the weight of so many freshly-polished tro- Tphies and the clubhouse was packed with winners, runners-up and those who simply came to cheer. The occasion was prize night on November 7th when the Captains, Martyn Scholes and Elizabeth Harrison, presented silverware, glass ornaments and vouchers to those many members who had made their mark in Centenary Year competitions. The ladies recreate the look of the early1900s Then, in keeping with tradition, anything ONCE again the ladies brought back the good summer’s day in all that clothing! that held fluid was charged with cocktail com- old days, decking themselves out in costumes The day’s winners, hot but not bothered, were binations that defied description and anyone reminiscent of golfing gear from the early Judith Brown, Janet Spence, Celia O’Sullivan brave enough was invited to take a sip. Appar- 1900s. They looked a treat – but finished their and Mary Edwards with 85 points. Jane ently, all survived. 18-holes AmAm in mid-August wondering Scholes, Pat Fisher and Jane and Ffion West- Some of the winners at the November how their predecessors could play golf on a lake were runners-up with 82. prizegiving: MEN’S TROPHY WINNERS Jenkinson Cup: Gareth J Evans Sheila Williams Cup: M Brett J T Evans Trophy: A Bradbrook Peter Roberts Cup: Paul Stanton Norman Roberts Cup: Gareth W Jones PGA National Pro-am Ch’ship: C Malam Cancer Relief Trophy: P Bryan Selwyn Roberts Cup: E Tony Davies Jubilee Cup: J Lewis Harry Ward Cup: B&P Frain Brian Thompson Shield: R Stacey Leader Cup: A&A Morris Mold’s successful Seniors with the Centenary Triangular Trophy, exhibited by Captain Martyn Welsh Wanderers Shield: T Davies Scholes (left) and Seniors’ chairman Dave Thurston. Harry Trinnick Trophy: P&A Day Park Bowl: A Bellis MOLD Seniors joined in the year’s celebra- gate stableford score from the three matches President’s Cup: W Spence tions by organising a triangular summer com- decided the winners of an engraved pewter Tommy Douglas Cup: B Mitchell petition with two other clubs – Werneth, from tankard. Mold finished first with 1,747 points, Mr & Mrs Cup: M&J Scholes Oldham, and Runcorn – who were also mark- closely followed by Runcorn with 1740 and Crystal Designs Trophy: R&R Gale ing their Centenary. Werneth on 1738. The competition will now RNLI Trophy: P Bryan Each team fielded 18 players and the aggre- become an annual event. 50 Silverware galore Centenary Foursomes: M Brett & A Bellis Trinity Fammau Trophy: D Sharpe Professional’s Prize - Div 1: D Phil Lloyd; Div 2: T Brand: Div 3: J Townson Bill Dodd Trophy: J Dewi Ingman & I Ingman Rabbits Cup: J Reynolds Cae Isaf Cup: M Scholes Cae Ucha Cup: M Coppack Winter League: K Lurz & N Proffitt Summer League: R Ashworth & C Malam H H Griffiths Cup: C Leitch Robert Jones Salver: Paul Stanton Parsons Pot: Centenary Committee Robin Hughes Cup: R Fisher Holes in one: K Barnes (on 3rd); L Parry, N A Goodwin, B Frain (on 6th); Evan Hughes, B Some of the winners at the November prize night with their trophies. Ledsham, T Shepherd (on 9th); C Bull, P Con- way (on 11th); B Frain, P Hodgson (on 16th). Club Championship: S Cheatle Lady Captain’s Gross Prize: B Davies Coronation Foursomes: Felicity Hughes & A Lady Captain’s Nett Prize: V Hedgeland LADIES’ TROPHY WINNERS Lloyd Davies Eileen Benn Cup: B Davies Nyffryn Cup: Miss A Walsh Medal Winners’ Trophy: J Brown WGU Cup: A George Centenary Trophy: P Fisher & J Scholes Lady Past Captains’ Trophy: E Harrison Holes in One: C John, P Bellis, J Downing Most Improved Player: Miss A Walsh Lady Veterans’ Trophy: A George (on 6th); J Roberts, A Howarth, E Harrison (at Moel Fammau Trophy: P Fisher Summer Eclectic: B Davies Rhuddlan) (on 9th). Senior Ladies’ Trophy: A Howarth RNLI Trophy: Miss A Walsh The club’s ladies’ teams were congratulated S&I Peters Cup: A&A Morris Cancer Relief Trophy: B Morris on their remarkable achievement in winning Nannw Mitchell Trophy: J Burton & H Australian Spoons: D Austin & S Jackson both Division B of the North Wales Scratch Hughes Lady Captain’s Salver: Felicity Hughes League and Division Four of the North Wales Burley Cup: S Dalby Welsh Dragon Brooch: J Roberts Challenge Shield, gaining promotion in both Anniversary Trophy: B Davies Sheila Williams Trophy: C O’Sullivan cases.

MOLD members set out at Pantymwyn on November 9th to re- enact – a century later – the first recorded club match. It was on November 9th, 1909, that the first ball was struck on the new nine-holes course at Padeswood, and later the same month the treasurer gathered five players to challenge, and subsequently beat, the secretary’s team. One hundred years on, in the same spirit but with rather more players, the Captain’s team took on the Centenary Com- mittee Chairman’s team and won 6½ to 3½. Afterwards Captain Martyn Scholes said: “The match was fun and some of the players dressed in Edwardian period costume to make it even more authentic. And it was nice to have teams of men and ladies together this time rather than the men-only affair at Padeswood.” 51 Now that’s entertainment

Flappers: Margaret Ellis,Judith Brown, Norma Newall, Celia O’Sullivan

First compere, Paul Misfits: Chris Mills, Jean Abbatt, Martyn Scholes, Debbie Barton, Dave Ashworth Bryan HEN it comes to putting on a show, Captain Elizabeth Harrison almost a year ear- Mold can be really magnificent. lier, and suggestions for acts started to flow in. WTwelve superb acts in full costume Cast members were selected, the search for au- and introduced by two comperes gave a full- thentic stage clothes began and rehearsals were house October audience a night of music, planned. dance and laughter that echoed the hilarious Finally a stage was constructed, the lighting The choir: Started and ended the show pantomimes of the seventies and eighties. and sound equipment passed a final test, and a There was a last-minute offstage drama choir of 14 sang old favourites from two world when musical accompanist Freda Hughes be- wars to get the entertainment under way. Two came unwell, but like a good trouper Eddie hours of fun and frolics – all recorded on DVD Hill stepped up with his keyboard to save the - followed before the curtain came down after show. The idea of a concert came from Lady a final chorus of “We’ll Meet Again”.

Swells: Jean Abbatt and Norma Newall

Dad’s Army: Gavin Flint,Stuart Ferguson, Brian Strollers: Jack Newall and Don Second compere, Tudor Rogers, Les Robins The pianist: Eddie Hill Farrington Hughes 52 Founder’s grave restored Token of of appreciation to two headteachers TWO highly respected members of the community to emerge during the unfolding of the club’s early history were William E Trickett and his wife Ada. They were especially well known in their roles as headteachers of the boys’ and girls’ de- partments of the Mold National Schools. Councillor W. E. Trickett, JP, as he then was, presided in his capacity as Chairman of the Mold Urban Council over the meeting in the Town Hall in 1909 which gave rise to Mold Golf Club. He undertook the duties of Hon. Secretary in 1911. The Tricketts’ grave, sadly neglected, overgrown and with its central feature dismantled, presumably because of subsidence, was dis- The Tricketts’ grave in Gwernaffield Churchyard, before and after restoration covered by chance in Gwernaffield Churchyard preciation of one of its founding fathers. On December 18th, a small group of mem- in March, 2009 The restoration was effected in November bers led by a former Ladies’ Captain, the Rev In the apparent absence of any family 2009, within a few days of the anniversary of Jean Stephens, gathered in the churchyard for a members, the Centenary Committee undertook Major Trickett’s funeral in 1917. short service of re-dedication. to restore the grave as a token of the club’s ap- New officers chosen to start the next century THE tail-end of each year heralds the election of new officers. In late November Margaret Ellis took office as Lady Captain in succession to Elizabeth Harrison, and in early December – on another wet and chilly day – Glyn Evans fired a tee shot 192 yards up the first fairway to signal his arrival as Club Captain, succeeding Martyn Scholes. Dave Thurston, previously Social Chairman and Seniors’ Chairman, became Vice-Captain, and Marie Moore took on the ladies’ Vice-Captaincy. Harvey Harri- son succeeded Dave Ashworth as Presi- The team for 2010 (from left) Club Captain Glyn Evans, Ladies’ Captain Margaret Ellis; Ladies’ dent. Vice-Captain Marie Moore, and Vice-Captain Dave Thurston

53 Farewell to historic year

entenary Year ended as it began – with a large group of cold but Ccommitted souls gathered at the foot of the flagpole to applaud the cere- monies. On January 1st 2009 – a chilling, frosty day – President Dave Ashworth had hoisted the new yellow and blue pennant to signal the start of Mold Golf Club’s celebrations. On January 1st, 2010 – a chilling, snow-carpeted day – the same gentleman carefully lowered the flag, which was quickly replaced with the traditional club version and raised by Harvey Harrison, who had succeeded to the office of Presi- dent. After a few appropriate words by Mar- One of 50 hot-air lanterns released into tin Scholes, the Centenary Captain but the night skies now succeeded by Glyn Evans, the com- packed with members eating, dancing and pany hastened into the clubhouse for hot dispensing good wishes to all and sundry. punch and soup served by the ladies. Soon after Auld Lang Syne at mid- On the previous night the same club- night, hot-air lanterns were released into Past President Dave house was reverberating to music and mer- the clear and freezing night skies – an in- riment at the New Year’s Eve novative way of saying farewell to an his- New President Harvey Ashworth lowers the Harrison raises the buffet-dance, a warm and happy night toric Centenary Year. Centenary Flag Mold Golf Club flag

The large crowd who watched the final ceremony of Centenary Year. 54 How the Junior Section began VER the years many lads and lasses from the district have been drawn to Ogolf and developed an interest nurtured and cherished over a lifetime. One such was the teenaged Harvey Davies, who recalls the early days of what has since become a well- organised and highly successful Mold junior section. Around the late forties, says Harvey, a regular “Saturday morning gang” including Colin Parry, Colin Smith and Lionel Parry set about honing their skills around the tight nine holes at Pantymwyn. These and other youngsters also made frequent use of the course during school holidays, sometimes to the irritation of older members. “A couple of seniors tried to stop us playing, saying we had no standing” says Har- vey, who subsequently joined the club as a 17- year-old in 1951, and was Captain in 1975. ABOVE: Junior Presentation Night, November 1976. Colin Parry, who succeeded Harvey as Captain in 1976, recalls the Sundays when six or so lads, including Bobby and Horace Williams, Alf Hughes and Harvey, cycled to LEFT: Junior Presenta- Old Padeswood for instruction from the profes- tion Night, November sional, Mr Joseph. The boys rode with what 1986. Proud prize- few clubs they had on their backs, and then winners are (from left) shared them. “Mr Joseph didn’t want paying” David Ledsham, Mark B says Colin. “If we insisted, he repaid us with Jones, Daniel Sea- golf balls.” marks, Steven McAloon, Subsequently the junior section has be- Andrew Heaphy, Nick Tomlinson, Graham come more formalised, with a full member tak- Hughes, Alex Bradbook, ing responsibility for its organisation, Mark Ledsham, Paul competitions and matches. In more recent Challinor and Lee Hunt. years the youngsters have been managed by John H Hughes, David George, Iori Jones, Don and girls, single-figure handicaps have become men’s teams. Between them they have also Bradbrook, Pete Stanton, Dave Ashworth, very achievable objectives. won countless championships over the years. Tudor Hughes, John Roberts and Gaynor Jones Mold juniors have enjoyed success at Rhys Ashworth, David Ledsham, James Boul- (girls), who has also managed the county girls many levels over the years. These include ton and Christian Malam represented the since 1981. Robert Jones, Karl Lurz and Timmy Davies county at Colts level. Karl Lurz has played for Professionals including Martin Carty and who went on to play in men’s county teams, Flintshire for four successive decades. He has Mark Jordan have conducted coaching sessions Mark B Jones who has played for the county at been County Captain and is currently the Cap- for beginners and more established players Colts and senior level and Alex Bradbrook and tain of the North Wales Men’s Team. alike, with many hours spent on the practice Nick Tomlinson who played for the county at Three professionals have emerged from ground. For these seriously-enthusiastic boys Colts and seniors as well as for North Wales Mold’s junior ranks. Gary Illingworth and * 55 Girls were encouraged

* Graham Clark both turned pro and are based at seen my brother Rhys go off to golf lessons on Roberts 2007 and Adam Wilson 2009. clubs in Germany. More recently James Evans, a Saturday morning and returning to a lot of Welsh Internationals: U/18 James Evans who played both for the county and Wales in praise from my parents for his progress, I de- 2001; U18 Luke Jackson 2007 – 2009; his junior days, is now a professional based at cided he wasn’t going to keep all this to him- U/18 Beth Davies 2006 and 2007; U/16 the Royal Jersey Golf Club. self. I decided I would go with him (much to Luke Jackson 2007and 2008; Callum Roberts his annoyance) because one day I would beat 2007and 2008; Tyler Martin 2007; U/15 Adam Award of merit him (high expectations of a nine-year-old!). Tuft 2007, 2008 and U/16 2009; U/14 Adam Unfortunately, I never did beat him but I en- Wilson 2008 and U/15 2009. Mold has also been very proud of the stan- joyed playing golf all the same. European Championships: Beth Davies dard and achievements of its junior girls and in “Gaynor Jones spotted me at Martin Carty’s 2007, Luke Jackson 2009 recognition of her outstanding contribution, lessons on a Saturday morning and she took County League Champions: Six times in both at club and county level, Gaynor Jones re- me, as well as a few other girls, under her last 13 years. ceived the Golf Foundation’s Henry Cotton wing. We had lessons and encouragement ga- County Gross Team Champions: Seven Award in 1999 for “meritorious service to jun- lore. It was down to Gaynor’s dedication, to- times in last 13 years, including last four years. ior golf”. She was presented with her award at gether with my parents’ taxi driving and Clwyd & Border League Champions: encouragement that I carried on playing. I had 2008. the golf bug and wanted to keep getting better. County Honours: Gareth Lloyd, Michael By the time I became junior captain at 17 I was Morgan, Eamonn Hodgson, Aled Ingman, playing off a handicap of 10.” Stephen Messum-Jones, Stephen Peters, Luke Notable successes for girls over the years Jackson, Adam Tuft, Adam Wilson, Chris Ed- have included county, North Wales and Welsh wards, Tyler Martin, Alex Pugh, Richard Mills, selection for Jane Roberts, Janet Parry, Karen Jonny Lewis and Callum Roberts. County Sweetman, Debbie Jones, Ruth Harrison, Katie Champion: Luke Jackson 2008, 2009. County * Walls and Beth Davies, as well as North Wales and county honours for Emily Ashworth and county honours for Sarah Green, Anna Walsh and Ffion Westlake. Beth has achieved tremendous success in recent years, winning the County Girls’ Cham- pionship, the Welsh Girls’ Championship and the County Ladies’ Championship twice. Under the management and guidance since 1996 of John Roberts, who is also the Flintshire Boys’ Manager and from 2009, the Beth Davies with the Welsh Girls’ Champi- North Wales Boys’ Manager, the junior boys – onship trophy and replica she won in 2007 at and Beth Davies - have collected countless ho- Woodlake Park GC near Usk nours at local, county, national and international levels, many of which are listed here: Wentworth by former Ryder Cup Captain Welsh Champions: Eamonn (Stiggy) Bernard Gallacher. Hodgson U/13s 2002 and 2003; Luke Jackson In the same year, Emily Ashworth became U/16s 2007, Beth Davies Girls 2007. the first girl to hold the position of Junior Cap- N. Wales Youths’ and Men’s Champion: tain at Mold. She has fond memories of her Luke Jackson 2007 and 2009. Bernard Gallacher presents the Golf Founda- early days in the game. She recalls: “Having N. Wales U/15 Champion: Callum tion award to Gaynor Jones. 56 National seal of approval

* Champions: U/15 Luke Jackson 2006, 2007, Chris Edwards 2009. Other high achievements include several more by Eamonn Hodgson, now attached to Sunningdale Golf Club. In 2008, at the age of 18 and with a handicap of plus four, he captained England Boys as well as winning three prestigious European events - the English Boys’ Championship, the Duke of York Trophy and the Peter McEvoy Trophy. In 2009 Eamonn reached the semi-finals of the British Amateur Championship and represented Great Britain and Ireland in the Walker Cup. He was then the number one amateur in England and number three in Europe. Also this year, Junior Captain Luke Jack- Junior manager John Roberts (second from right) is congratulated by Club Captain Martyn son, aged 16 and playing off scratch, won the Scholes after receiving a GDW accreditation award. They are flanked by Mold Secretary-Manager 2009 Clwyd Open played over two courses – Chris Mills (left) and Club President Dave Ashworth. Picture: Chronicle Newspapers. Wrexham and Prestatyn – with a four round total of 290. In this Centenary year, Mold has been delighted to receive the Golf Development Wales Club Accreditation Higher Award, which is a national seal of approval acknowledging a club’s commitment to junior golf. Further recognition came at the club’s Cen- tenary Ball, when Golf Union of Wales Presi- dent Ted Lloyd applauded Mold’s “magnificent contribution to Welsh Golf” in supplying players for representative teams, especially at junior level. In this context he praised the contribution of John Roberts and Gaynor Jones for organising and encouraging so many talented young players. Ryder Cup welcome John Jermine (back, fifth from left) with Mold juniors and Captain Martyn Scholes (back, centre). English and Welsh Seniors’ Open last year, that at Mold Golf Club.” In July, the club welcomed Ryder Cup dropped in to meet the junior members, to Captain Martyn Scholes said: “We are very Wales Chairman John Jermine, who was spe- present prizes and share tips on how to succeed grateful to John for taking the time to come cial guest at the juniors’ Centenary celebration in the game and putt better. He said: “It is al- and visit us. It was a great opportunity for the competition. Mr Jermine, a scratch player and ways a pleasure to see young people enjoying junior members to pick up tips from such a former Welsh Boys’ Captain who won both the golf and to see such a thriving junior section as good player.” 57 The seniors come of age

Senior Section golfers pictured after their 2009 competition for the new Centenary Trophy. Bill Ridler (front row, second left), winner with 44 stableford points, shows off the trophy. THE Senior Section at Mold came of age in Centenary Year and now boasts a membership of 70-plus. Summer or winter, rain or shine, the Gordon Jones seniors gather on the first tee from 7.45 every Monday and Thursday (left) won the morning to play a variety of well-supported competitions, interspersed Midland Bank with inter-club matches. Here JOHN DELAHOY charts the start and Trophy with a stableford score early days of the section, of which he was the first chairman. of 37 points at n 1986 I reached the grand old age of 55 At our inaugural meeting (very in- the 2009 Sen- iors’ Awayday years, so in 1987, having also retired from formal) it was decided that we should event at Sutton Ifull-time employment, I and a few mem- contact Bill Forrester to see if his offer Hall G.C. Here bers, also 55-plus, started to play a friendly was still open, and if so we should seek he receives the game on Mondays and Thursdays, teeing off permission from our Club Council (as it award from at mid-day. The usual fourball was made up was then) to hold home matches on our Seniors’ chair- from Ken Rudd, Ron Stanley, Dave Howarth, course. Denbigh Golf Club also had set man Dave Alf Hughes and I. up a Vets' section and they expressed an Thurston. At this time we also put a team in the North interest in playing inter-club matches. Gordon also Having received a positive response won the trophy Wales Alliance on Wednesdays. It was during in 2008. one of the NWA meetings that I met Bill For- from Bill and contacted the Denbigh or- rester from Chester Golf Club. Bill was their ganiser, we made our request to Club of us played including a guest named Gordon Council. Permission was given – although not Howell, then competition secretary of the Vets' organiser and he told me about the unanimously – and arrangements were made newly-formed Clwyd and Borders Alliance. matches they played against other clubs. He with both Chester and Denbigh for eight-a-side I continued as chairman until I became also said there was a vacancy in their fixture matches on a home and away basis. It was also Vice-Captain of the club in 1990, then Ken list and asked if we would be interested in fill- agreed with both clubs that each player would Rudd took over. The rest is history. Latest ing it. pay for his meal home and away. among the seniors’ many keenly-contested In 1988, having discussed the subject with I believe our first match was played in the trophies is the 2009 Centenary Trophy, which the others, our little group decided to form Spring of 1989 by which time more over-55s bears some resemblance to the Open Champi- Mold Golf Club "Vets", and the officers were: had joined, and there was also a consensus of onship’s Claret Jug. The first winner to have Chairman - John Delahoy; Treasurer – Ron opinion that we should rename our section his name inscribed on the new prize was Bill Stanley (although at that time our funds were "Seniors". Ridler, who scored 44 stableford points, £0.0); Competitions – Dave Howarth. The In the same year we held our first "Seniors' pipping seniors’ chairman Dave Thurston by a members were Ken Rudd and Alf Hughes. Day Out" at Delamere Forest GC, when eight single point.

58 FORE! Mind that plane

‘The pilot was still there, standing looking at the plane. I heard him say he thought the ground was flatter than it actually was when he chose it for landing.’

T wasn’t only flying golf balls that brought danger to the lucky few still playing at IMold Golf Club during World War II – it was a flying aircraft. On October 3rd, 1940, a single-seat fighter approaching from the Llan- ferres direction made an unplanned landing some 100 yards to the right of what is now the Richard Davies (above) marks the spot near the present fifth tee where he saw the ditched fifth tee. Hurricane. Inset: Mark I Hawker Hurricane. Picture: www.military-aircraft.org.uk The plane has been identified as a Mark 1 version of the Hawker Hurricane –number P3033 from RAF 17 Squadron. by the name of Richard Davies, who was out interested in aircraft, Richard later embarked Mike Grant, of the RAF Historical Society, playing near his Loggerheads home, heard on a 30-year career with de Havilland at also reveals that the plane had taken part in the word that a plane had come down on the Broughton. Battle of Britain earlier in the same year. On nearby golf course, he was one of the first at Along with the fabled Spitfire, the Hurri- the day it ditched it had been flying from Tang- the scene. cane was one of World War II’s iconic air- mere in Sussex to Edinburgh. “As quickly as I could, I ran along the Cat- planes, claiming 80 per cent of enemy aircraft Further information, from the RAF Mu- walk and on to the course and saw this single- shot down in the Battle of Britain by Fighter seum at Hendon, confirms those details and engined RAF plane” recalls Richard, now 78. Command pilots. It had a wingspan of 40ft, adds that P3033’s pilot, Sergeant Glyn Grif- “There were people around, but strangely no and powered by a single Rolls Royce Merlin fiths, “made a wheels-up forced landing fol- police. V12 engine reached a top speed of 334mph, lowing engine failure.” The plane was “The pilot was still there, standing looking with a range of 600 miles. It was armed with recovered by airmen from RAF Sealand or at the plane. I heard him say he thought the either cannon or machine guns and carried two Hawarden, and after necessary repairs served ground was flatter than it actually was when he under-wing bombs. as a training aircraft until decommissioning in chose it for landing. In the late thirties and forties military plane 1944. “He seemed to be okay apart from facial crashes were not uncommon, and one rumour, Sgt Griffiths, who was largely unhurt in the damage, probably caused by the impact of a so far unproven, suggests a second forced land- incident, survived the war with a hero’s record sudden landing.” ing on the course two or three years later, this and a Distinguished Flying Medal, having shot Although the incident happened nearly 70 time with a Lockheed Lightning coming to down five enemy aircraft, plus five shared years ago Richard recollects clearly that the earth just in front of the present 17th green. “kills” and three more probably destroyed. He aircraft came to rest between what is now the The Lightning and its crew are said to have died in 1983. fifth tee and the practice chipping green. belonged to the Canadian Air Force, hence the The forced landing naturally and quickly The distinctive shape of the wingtips con- hole being given and retaining the name excited local interest and a when a young lad vinced him that it was a Hurricane. Always “Canada”. 59 Where every prospect pleases HE golf course that now challenges members and visitors regularly and de- John James Goodwin Tservedly wins admiration and acclaim – (on running board) and and official recognition. In its 2004/5 HSBC Ned Hughes pictured in Regional Golf Course Rankings, Golf Monthly 1984 with a hired magazine awarded Mold a silver medal for the replica of the Model T excellence of its presentation. Ford that pulled the Today’s silky greens and lush, defined fair- mower when they were ways bear testimony to the skills of a talented, the original greenkeep- professional staff under the direction of head ers after the club’s greenkeeper Colin Jones. But it was all so very move to Pantymwyn in different at Pantymwyn in the first days of the 1928 move in 1928 from Padeswood. The club’s handbook of 1968 informs us that “the work of making a golf course out of a rough upland area intersected by walls and hedges and partly overgrown by gorse and thickets was courageously undertaken. “An enthusiastic group of members, among them the Club President Capt. Norman hawthorn bushes”. his army service Basil “Tiny” Reece acted as Roberts, saw the venture through and in May The orginal greenkeepers in these early greenkeeper, and in 1939 Bob Davies began 1928 the course was opened”. Pantymwyn days were John James Goodwin, his 35-year marathon as greenkeeper, profes- For some three seasons, we are informed, father of “Chum” Goodwin, and Ned Hughes, sional and steward, somehow juggling the de- golfers played in difficult conditions, “but over father of 1987 club captain Gordon Hughes. mands of all three tasks to the satisfaction of the years a remarkable transformation was ac- The first mechanical vehicle purchased for members. complished. Formerly unprofitable plough- hauling the gangmowers that cut the fairways For many of the early years, hammers and land and coarse pasture disfigured by heaps of was a second-hand Model T Ford. Then in chisels were obligatory to break up underlying mineral waste became a pleasant expanse of 1932 £90 was borrowed from Capt. Roberts to limestone rocks and stones when changing well-tended fairways adorned with trim provide a new greens mower. flag-holder cups on the greens. Before the outbreak of World War II and The cups frequently needed to be reduced *

Part of the wall rebuilt by the greens staff during Centenary year, and beyond it the seventh green. 60 Caring for the greens

How things have changed! Greens staff (from left) Peter Richards, Paul Evans, Colin Jones and Karl Parry beside the current equipment store. Pictured above right: Teg Morris (second right) with (from left) Maurice Jones, Philip Morris and Peter Richards beside the wooden shed that housed the equipment in 1984. Peter Richards remains in post.

* in height to stay below the playing surface. The dividing the seventh and 15th fairways had average size of the greens was some 250-300 Traditional stone fallen into disrepair, so four greenkeeping staff square yards, considerably smaller than today’s undertook a college course in dry stone 450-plus sq yds. Tees have also grown – from walling skills – just one walling, and over several months and with as- around 100 sq yds to some 400 sq yds. sistance from a couple of club members rebuilt Until 1998 responsibility for the care and more advance in the the wall – just one more advance in the unceas- condition of the course fell to a handful of ing march of progress. members who from the early eighties gleaned unceasing march of advice from course consultant John Campbell, a former head greenkeeper at St Andrews, and progress also from the Sports Turf Research Institute that year Colin Jones accepted the post, setting from Bingley in Yorkshire. in motion with his staff an unbroken chain of The perennial problems faced by these improvements to the approval of the entire dedicated and successful greens chairmen from club. It is worthy of note that not one tempo- 1956 – Sam Jones (twice), Bill Dodd Jr, Derek rary green was necessary in 2007 or 2008. Davies, Les Robins and Teg Morris –were wet Since the days of the Model T Ford the weather and heavy ground, which necessitated greenkeepers’ machinery has changed and ex- resorting to temporary greens in winter panded many times. At first a few simple tools months. Campbell advocated a four-year pro- stood in a tin shed in the car park. Now an im- gramme of allowing the original grasses to pressive array of machines is housed in a hand- grow again to improve drainage. With consid- some shed that was doubled in size in 2002 erable success, and a few complaints about under the supervision of Gordon Hughes, and “bare” fairways and greens, this was imple- is accompanied by a mess room containing an mented by Teg. Greenkeepers (left to right): Paul Evans, Colin office and shower. In 1998 Mike Walls, who then occupied Jones, Karl Parry and Peter Richards with Club The benefit of new skills has been shown the Greens chair, pressed for the appointment Captain Martyn Scholes and club volunteers in Centenary year. Some 300 yards of the wall of a qualified head greenkeeper. At Easter in Gareth Bellis and Les Robins (back). 61 Social highlights

OLD Golf Club has tradition- writes: “We produced numerous pan- ally cherished a strong and tomimes and concerts organised entirely Mactive social section, which by our own members. These produc- continues to flourish today. Underpin- tions reflected quite vividly, if not al- ning its success has always been the ways so accurately, the highs and lows members’ willingness to participate of the current captain. both as audience and performers. “When Dallas on TV was at the Among those long-associated with height of its popularity with the Who the social scene is Harvey Harrison, shot JR? riddle, we responded with who recalls here some of the highlights, Who shot CP? This was because Colin remembering the seventies and eighties Parry had sanctioned a bar-price in- as being particularly lively decades. He crease that some felt too high, so the *

Taking a break in the Seventies are the Nitelites (from left) Howard Evans, Richard Millington, Stuart Ferguson and Malcolm Davies

Pool is another social activity at which Mold’s golfers excel, and here (from left) David Ledsham, Harvey Harrison, Nick Tomlinson, Richard Ledsham, Brian Thomas, Roy Challinor and John Cle- warth celebrate winning the Mold and Buckley Pool League in 1992. 62 One pro’s salary - just £52

* rank and file responded accord- “There was no reply when ingly. we phoned his house, by which “When John Harley was time most of the gathering Captain, Baden Thomas chris- were resigned to believing that tened him Easy Touch as he re- nothing was going to happen, lieved him fairly frequently and made the best of a bad when playing for cash. And a night. result we staged E T, although “When contact was finally John didn’t disappear into the made, instead of owning up to night sky. forgetting the event, Ian “When Ian McHarrie was blithely announced that the Captain we staged Ali McBaba whole point of the exercise was and the Forty Thieves, possibly that it was a mystery night. because he was reputed to have “So many members gave previously had a market stall. him stick that he formed his Professional Martin Carty (second right) receives the keys to the new pro “On another occasion, own SDP – although in this in- shop from Captain Harvey Harrison in 1994, watched by Secretary Andy when Ian, who was a prolific stance the initials stood for So- Newall (left) and House Chairman Brendan O’Sullivan writer of pantomime scripts, cially Dead Party. was social chairman, he had “Star Trek was another HE longest-serving full-time reputation as a fine golf teacher, advertised a mystery evening. smash hit for the section, and professionals in more recent contributing particularly to the suc- A large and expectant crowd the list could go on. Hopefully, Tyears at Mold have been Mar- cess of many junior players. gathered in the club, but eight- our heritage will be carried on tin Carty and Mark Jordan. Martin, The club’s first professional, in o-clock came and went with no through to the next centenary.” who accepted the position at the tail the early Padeswood days, was one sign of Ian, as did nine-o-clock. Not only did the members end of 1982 and gained the benefit Thomas Wilson. At intervals, he was produce their own of a purpose-built pro shop opened followed by Stewart McGregor (at a shows, but groups pro- in March 1984, remained with the salary in 1911 of £52pa), F Griffiths, vided quality entertain- club until 1997, leaving to become Bob Davies, Bill Lyons, Bill Brad- ment with their music the proprietor of a guest house in shaw and John Jarman, who pre- and singing. Always pop- Scotland. ceded Martin Carty. ular were the Nitelites, Temporarily Tony Davies, the featuring Richard professional at Old Padeswood, Millington, Malcolm stepped into the breach, and was Davies, Stuart Ferguson followed for varying periods by and Howard Evans, and Neil Coulson, Richard Hughes, Flair, featuring Albert who worked in partnership with Parry and son Michael. Tony Davies, and James Evans, Cabaret shows with son of 2010 Captain Glyn Evans professional acts and and a junior assistant who eventu- groups providing dance ally left for the Royal Jersey club music have proved popu- where he became a full-time pro- lar in recent years, and fessional. the traditional New In 2000 Mark Jordan, then as- Year’s Eve sistant pro at Ellesmere Port Golf Brendan and Celia O’Sullivan at a celebration is invariably Club, was appointed professional at Mark Jordan pauses for a chat with bar 1986 hoe-down a sell-out. Mold and has since established a staff Anne Drysdale and Ray Sandall. 63 The biggest hole in golf

Barbed wire kept unwary golfers out of the danger zone as ground works contractor Brian Davies tackled the mammoth excavation operation. Inset: This is the reinforced concrete cap that sealed the mineshaft – and now assures the stability of today’s fifth green area.

NE November Saturday in 1958 Sid four inch hole had been replaced by a huge, our scorecards. We were just thankful we had- Peters and Noel Pughe were playing in funnel-shaped crater the full width and length n’t been taking our putts when the earth gave Oa two-ball club stableford. It was rain- of the green! way!” ing heavily. The pair were on the second hole “The green had completely disappeared While that day ended as a blank for Noel, (the fifth on the present course) and Noel had into this vast space and running water could be he was in the middle of a successful four-year just struck his second shot to the raised green. heard below it. run that saw him capture the Norman Roberts It was a reasonable effort and he walked for- “That was the end of our stableford – so we Cup in 1956 and 1960, and also in 1960 the ward eagerly to see the result. Sid was due to quickly returned to the clubhouse with the Peter Roberts Cup. An enthusiastic cricketer play his third shot from below the left hand news of how we lost the second green. There who took up golf only in 1950, he achieved a side of the green. weren’t many members around to tell the tale handicap of one. Noel, now aged 88, recalls: “As I looked I to that day, no doubt owing to the bad weather, The disappearing green that spoiled his had such a shock –it appeared I had holed out but it didn’t take long for word to get round! round had in fact been constructed on a mound in two shots as the flagstick had gone and the “Needless to say Sid and I didn’t submit of soil left over from lead mining, which with * 64 Day the green vanished

The fifth green – hiding its history. The four-inch hole had Fully restored with no sign of the past been replaced by a drama beneath. funnel-shaped crater the full width and length of the green.

* the aid of the rain collapsed into the disused while exercise as the reclaimed area could at and landscaped. At this same time the builders mineshaft beneath. some future date be used to build a new green F G Whitley were constructing houses on the Taking up the tale, Les Robins recalls that and improve the course. Llyn-y-Pandy Road, which required the re- the site was then utilised as a tip – “devouring The club’s management agreed, and sanc- moval of huge quantities of rock and subsoil. everything from scrap machinery to pianos.” tioned £800 for investigative digging, and This, says Les, “presented an opportunity During the 1980s the mining company re- Brian Davies, a club member who was also a too good to miss” and at an impromptu meet- moved all the rubbish and fenced off the area groundworks contractor, was hired. ing with company director Richard Whitley with barbed wire, but in 1999 the greens com- The hole was dug out until the actual shaft and the site manager he obtained agreement mittee chaired by Mike Walls considered that was located. Next, a level area double the size that the builders could dispose of their subsoil the shaft should be capped for safety reasons. of the hole was excavated to accommodate the and rock on the course provided they worked When approached, the mining company two-foot-thick reinforced concrete plinth that to golf club drawings to landscape the whole felt the responsibility lay with the club, but the would cap the mineshaft. area in preparation for a green. greens committee decided it would be a worth- Now the entire area needed to be backfilled In addition they would supply 100 tons of topsoil, and construct a stone driveway from the entrance by the fifth green to the gate beyond the sixth. This was to be topped off by the groundstaff. By September 2001 all work agreed had been carried out and the site was completed with all landscaping for the green roughly formed to design – with the club having saved around £20,000 had Whitley’s work been con- tracted out. Now head greenkeeper Colin Jones and his team took over, spending two months digging out, upgrading and relaying the irrigation system from the old green, laying the herringbone drainage system for the new green, and finally turfing the surface with grass from the old. In all the project to turn an unsightly mineshaft into a course-enhancing new green took two years at a cost of just under £8,000 – and Noel Pughe, 88 and still enjoying the odd game of golf, is pictured with Junior Captain Luke Jackson worth every penny. and Gaynor Jones, the county junior girls’ organiser. 65 Honours Board

CLUB PRESIDENTS

1911 Maj. J H Wynne- 1954-60 W Griffiths 1989-91 H Davies 2002 I McHarrie Eyton 1961-71 O T Evans 1992-93 G C Parry 2003 L Jeffcott 1912-14 P E Roberts 1972-76 Dr G W Roberts 1994 W Dodd 2004 G I Jones 1915 W Buckley 1977-79 P Howells 1995-96 R G Hartley 2005 J E Delahoy 1924 R Williams 1980-82 L Hinks-Edwards 1997-98 S Jones 2006-07 D Layfield 1927-36 Capt. N Roberts 1983-85 J T Evans 1999-2000 J Harley 2008-09 D W Ashworth 1937-53 A S Jones 1986-88 E Jones 2001 M Worsnip

Club President 2009 Mr Dave Ashworth

Ladies’ President 2009 Mrs Audrey Howarth

66 Honours Board

CLUB CAPTAINS

1911 R E Jones 1950 G B Birch 1970 Wm Dodd 1990 R Blackwell 1912 R E Jones 1951 J Evans 1971 H I Jones 1991 A D Carvin 1914 J Bradburne Price 1952 J Todd 1972 R Hughes 1992 J E Delahoy 1915 S G Sharpe 1953 E R Harries 1973 A B Newall 1993 K Chamberlin 1929 R Stewart Kelly 1954 G B Plimmer 1974 J A Illingworth 1994 V Blackwell 1930 J Farley 1955 T C Williams 1975 H Davies 1995 D W Ashworth 1931 J E Parry 1956 E Morgan-Davies 1976 G C Parry 1996 D W Ingman 1933 Dr D Fraser 1957 J T Evans 1977 R G Hartley 1997 H M Hughes 1934 H S Shaw 1958 E G M Jones 1978 J S Williams 1998 D Layfield 1935 J H Rowlands 1959 T Evans 1979 P Scott 1999 K M Dear 1936 O T Evans 1960 Dr G W Roberts 1980 J Thomas 2000 J Stephens 1937 W Griffiths 1961 J T Jones 1981 J Hughes 2001 D J Ellis 1938 J Lloyd Jones 1962 E Jones 1982 J Harley 2002 P Roach 1939 R N Wynn 1963 T I Jones 1983 H Harrison 2003 B Haigh 1940-44 J H Higgins 1964 K Stubbs 1984 M Worsnip 2004 W Taylor 1945 W L Roberts 1965 Dr J Dobson 1985 A Parry 2005 T W Hughes 1946 Dr J B Dobson 1966 J G Jones 1986 I McHarrie 2006 R S Fisher 1947 G P Hughes 1967 Dr K S Deas 1987 G Hughes 2007 W Spence 1948 R T Jones 1968 S Jones 1988 L Jeffcott 2008 C E Bull 1949 L Hinks-Edwards 1969 P Howells 1989 G I Jones 2009 M Scholes

LADIES’ PRESIDENTS

1911 Mrs R E Jones 1966-70 Mrs O T Evans 1989-91 Mrs A Howells 2005-06 Mrs J Blackwell 1914 Mrs R E Jones 1971-77 Mrs N Mitchell 1992-94 Mrs G Jones 2007-08 Mrs A George 1915 Miss V Wynne-Eyton 1978-82 Mrs S Hughes 1995-97 Mrs C Carvin 2009 Mrs A Howarth 1937-59 Mrs N Roberts 1983-85 Mrs K Hinks- Ed- 1998-2000 Mrs M Peyton 1960-63 Mrs O Webster wards 2001-02 Mrs F Hughes 1964-65 Mrs M P Evans 1986-88 Mrs M Edwards 2003-04 Mrs J Harley

67 Honours Board

LADIES’ CAPTAINS

1911 Miss H Marston 1953 Mrs O Webster 1972 Mrs M Edwards 1991 Mrs D Bellis 1915 Miss B Lloyd Parry 1954 Miss J Ingleby 1973 Mrs M Smith 1992 Mrs A Howarth 1932 Miss Fox-Bewley 1955 Mrs G B Plimmer 1974 Mrs I Peters 1993 Mrs E Gibson 1933 Mrs C O Williams 1956 Mrs I Peters 1975 Mrs A Howells 1994 Mrs V L Hughes 1934 Miss D Gibson 1957 Mrs I Jones 1976 Mrs J Field 1995 Mrs J Barnett 1935 Miss M Wotton 1958 Mrs T C Williams 1977 Mrs M Parry 1996 Mrs L Taylor 1936 Miss Fox-Bewley 1959 Mrs C Harries 1978 Mrs K Hinks-Edwards 1997 Mrs C O’Sullivan 1937 Mrs O T Evans 1960 Miss M Lloyd 1979 Mrs N Mitchell 1998 Mrs M H Hughes 1938 Mrs C Johnson 1961 Mrs E Benn 1980 Mrs J Davies 1999 Mrs J Rogers 1939 Mrs C Burley 1962 Mrs J Elliott 1981 Mrs I Thomas 2000 Mrs F A Hughes 1940-44 Mrs D Williams 1963 Mrs O T Evans 1982 Mrs F Hughes 2001 Mrs J Spence 1945 Mrs D Willams 1964 Mrs N Mitchell 1983 Mrs C Carvin 2002 Mrs E Rudol 1946 Mrs D Williams 1965 Mrs M I Jones 1984 Mrs S Delahoy 2003 Mrs S Yates 1947 Mrs J Dobson 1966 Mrs J G Jones 1985 Mrs J Harley 2004 Mrs J Stephens 1948 Mrs O T Evans 1967 Mrs B Jones 1986 Mrs J Blackwell 2005 Mrs R L Gale 1949 Miss N Elsby 1968 Mrs K S Deas 1987 Mrs A George 2006 Mrs V J Adams 1950 Miss M Rowlands 1969 Mrs S Hughes 1988 Mrs R Urwin 2007 Mrs J Burton 1951 Mrs M Roberts 1970 Mrs I Stubbs 1989 Mrs E Harrison 2008 Mrs I Leech 1952 Mrs R S Hughes 1971 Mrs K Hinks-Edwards 1990 Mrs M Jeffcott 2009 Mrs E Harrison

JUNIOR CAPTAINS

1972 R Griffiths 1982 J Hughes 1992 C Ellis 2002 D G Lloyd 1973 G Clark 1983 D Goodwin 1993 M Ledsham 2003 S M Peters 1974 T J Davies 1984 B Jones 1994 S North 2004 A D Ingman 1975 G Randles 1985 S Kinney 1995 R W Ashworth 2005 A E Green 1976 R H Thomas 1986 G Hughes 1996 R Hayes 2006 J R Westlake 1977 A J Jeffcott 1987 R G Bradbrook 1997 C J Malam 2007 J Green 1978 W Dodd 1988 D Ledsham 1998 J A Boulton 2008 J C Lewis 1979 S Robinson 1989 N Tomlinson 1999 Miss E J Ashworth 2009 L Jackson 1980 N Reanney 1990 S P McAloon 2000 J A Evans 1981 K P Blackwell 1991 H Smith 2001 I Ingman

68 Selected trophy winners HANDICAP CHAMPIONS (Jenkinson Cup)

1967 S Jones 1982 R I Edwards 1997 A Bradbrook 1968 B Hinks-Edwards 1983 E Williams 1998 N Tomlinson 1969 S Jones 1984 D Ingman 1999 J A Boulton 1970 H I Jones 1985 E Williams 2000 K Lurz 1971 W Dodd 1986 G Randles 2001 A Bradbrook 1972 J Belli 1987 D W Ingman 2002 K Lurz 1973 J J Mathews 1988 W Dodd Jr 2003 R Akehurst 1974 K Lurz 1989 R H Jones 2004 M F Davies 1975 N Goodwin 1990 N Tomlinson 2005 I D Ingman 1976 L Robins 1991 E Williams 2006 A J Jeffcott 1977 T Davies 1992 J Delahoy 2007 J D Ingman 1978 N Goodwin 1993 K Lurz 2008 R J Ledsham 1979 K Chamberlin 1994 A Heaphy 2009 Gareth J Evans 1980 P Foley 1995 E Williams 1981 A J Jeffcott 1996 T Davies Men’s course record: 60 by Mark Jones, 2004 SHEILA WILLIAMS SCRATCH TROPHY

1969 N Goodwin 1983 R Akehurst 1997 M B Jones 1970 R H Jones 1984 K Lurz 1998 A Bradbrook 1971 R Blackwell 1985 E Williams 1999 N Tomlinson 1972 A W Jones 1986 R Blackwell 2000 J A Evans 1973 R H Jones 1987 R H Jones 2001 K Lurz 1974 R H Jones 1988 T Davies 2002 N Tomlinson 1975 P Foley 1989 K Lurz 2003 A Bradbrook 1976 L Robins 1990 R H Jones 2004 N Tomlinson 1977 R H Jones 1991 N Tomlinson 2005 K Lurz 1978 R H Jones 1992 N Tomlinson 2006 A Bellis 1979 A Farrall 1993 A Bellis 2007 N Tomlinson 1980 T Gorin 1994 N Tomlinson 2008 R J Ledsham 1981 A Brownrigg 1995 E Williams 2009 M Brett 1982 K Lurz 1996 T Davies Ladies’ course record: 65 by Beth Davies, 2007 69 Winners NORMAN ROBERTS CUP

1912 W Buckley 1947 L Hinks-Edwards 1971 A W Jones 1991 M Brett 1915 S G Sharpe 1948 Dr J B Dobson 1972 C A Park 1992 S Bellis 1916 G Bellis 1953 R T Jones 1973 J Belli 1993 N George 1921 R V Plimmer 1954 J C Dobson 1974 B Parker 1994 H Harrison January 1922 G B Plimmer 1955 H I Jones 1975 I Jeavons 1995 C W Fox Spring 1922 G B Plimmer 1956 N P Pughe 1976 W D Davies 1996 J M Williams Autumn 1922 F Griffiths 1957 R S C Dobson 1977 T Morris 1997 J A Evans Spring 1923 G B Plimmer 1958 R T Jones 1978 D Royles 1998 E Langford Autumn 1923 N Roberts 1959 J G Jones 1979 D J Ellis 1999 S G Davies Spring 1925 R V Plimmer 1960 N P Pughe 1980 E Williams 2000 D Plant Spring 1926 J Armstrong 1961 C R Whitley 1981 G Randles 2001 R Drillsma 1930 J P Hughes 1962 J G Jones 1982 R S Fisher 2002 P Teece 1931 E I Jones 1963 J G Jones 1983 M Scott 2003 B Wynne 1932 J B Dobson 1964 R T Jones 1984 B Haigh 2004 G Tinniswood 1933 J Lloyd Jones 1965 J Elliott 1985 C Wood 2005 P Frances 1934 L Hinks Edwards 1966 W Dodd Jr 1986 K Chamberlin 2006 R G Jones 1935 R T Jones 1967 O T Evans 1987 G Cornfield 2007 R Derbyshire 1936 R N Wynne 1968 R E Jones 1988 T Concannon 2008 R W Woolfall 1938 W R Chapman 1969 D Bradbrook 1989 K Aldred 2009 Gareth W Jones 1946 R B Ellis 1970 R Blackwell 1990 R I Edwards

LADIES’ HANDICAP CHAMPIONSHIP

1984 Mrs B Morris 1991 Miss K Sweetman 1998 Mrs J Childs 2005 Miss B Davies 1985 Mrs J Childs 1992 Miss D Jones 1999 Mrs J Spence 2006 Mrs F A Hughes 1986 Mrs J Childs 1993 Mrs F A Hughes 2000 Mrs E Harrison 2007 Mrs J Brown 1987 Mrs E Harrison 1994 Mrs E Harrison 2001 Mrs E Harrison 2008 Miss A L Walsh 1988 Miss D Jones 1995 Mrs C O’Sullivan 2002 Mrs J H Burton 2009 Mrs S Cheatle 1989 Mrs A George 1996 Mrs J Rogers 2003 Mrs F A Hughes 1990 Mrs A George 1997 Mrs J Childs 2004 Mrs J Brown

70 Winners

PETER ROBERTS CUP

1913 J E Parry 1948 O T Evans 1978 G I Jones 1997 P Tyndall 1914 Dr D Fraser 1956 R S Dobson 1979 D J Ellis 1998 V Blackwell 1921 H S Shaw 1959 W McGuire 1980 E Morris 1999 G Lloyd Spring 1922 G B Plimmer 1960 N P Pughe 1981 S Robinson 2000 T Griffiths Autumn 1922 N Roberts 1961 R B Griffiths 1982 J O’Brien 2001 S M Peters Spring 1923 E Williams 1964 R A Jones 1983 R E Jones 2002 K Corran Autumn 1923 G B Plimmer 1965 K S Stubbs 1984 R Jones 2003 R G Hill 1924 R V Plimmer 1966 S Jones 1985 E A Davies 2004 A Bettley 1930 J H Rowlands 1967 R L Roberts 1986 W Pierce 2005 D Sadler 1931 J B Dobson 1968 C Williams 1987 D W Ingman 2006 J Boulton 1932 J H Rowlands 1969 R E Jones 1988 M F Davies 2007 J Richard Jones 1933 J H Rowlands 1970 B Rogers 1989 K Williams 2008 C Edwards 1934 L Hinks-Edwards 1971 K Chamberlin 1990 D Ingman 2009 Paul Stanton 1935 O T Evans 1972 D Flewitt 1991 G Cornfield 1936 C G Burley 1973 K Lurz 1992 A Ab Iorwerth 1938 R T Jones 1974 D Plant 1993 G Myles 1939 D C Williams 1975 N Webster 1994 G L Williams 1946 R T Jones 1976 I Johnson 1995 D P Lloyd 1947 L Hinks-Edwards 1977 R Webb 1996 H Harrison

LADIES’ SCRATCH CHAMPIONSHIP

1984 Mrs G Jones 1991 Mrs E Harrison 1998 Mrs J Spence 2005 Miss B Davies 1985 Mrs J Childs 1992 Mrs E Harrison 1999 Mrs E Harrison 2006 Miss B Davies 1986 Miss R Harrison 1993 Miss D Jones 2000 Mrs E Harrison 2007 Miss B Davies 1987 Miss R Harrison 1994 Miss D Jones 2001 Miss E J Ashworth 2008 Miss B Davies 1988 Mrs F A Hughes 1995 Mrs D Ledsham 2002 Mrs J H Burton 2009 Miss B Davies 1989 Mrs E Harrison 1996 Mrs F A Hughes 2003 Mrs D Ledsham 1990 Mrs E Harrison 1997 Mrs E Harrison 2004 Mrs E Harrison

71 Tales from the clubhouse...

THOSE who consider courses encountered as difficult should Great for Jim, but the prizes made quite a dent in the funds raised, spare a thought for the bold souls who set out to play “moun- and left Ian, who worked in insurance, wondering whether he should tain golf” as described by Henry Leach, a former Alun School have taken out a policy to cover the unexpected ace. pupil who became a journalist, in the London Standard in Au- gust, 1910. Henry was one of the enthusiasts who met at the Mold home UNTIL 1971, when sheep were finally banished from the of a Mr W Lloyd Parry and there determined they would “mount a golf- Mold course and humans took control of height reduction, ing attack on the queen of the local mountains, Moel Fammau”. the rough could be really formidable, as the 1978 Captain J On the appointed afternoon, under the eyes of two markers, four S Williams would confirm. In earlier days he once put golfers teed off from a stone bridge outside the Loggerheads inn, tra- down his golf bag and went off in search of his ball, but after re- versing fields, marshes, copses and climbing fierce inclines with the claiming it he couldn’t find the bag, so deep was the rough. Fortu- target of holing out in the jubilee tower some three miles distant – all nately his partners waded in to help him. in fewer than 300 strokes. Balls landing in unplayable lies could be teed up again under penalty of two shots. THE tree-planting programme of the early seventies had an After some four hours, a Mr Hugh Lloyd Parry, who was the unexpected benefit for car-owner Alf Hughes. He left his town clerk of Exeter, was declared the most successful competitor, vehicle close to the edge of the car-park alongside the first taking a mere 136 strokes with a brassie, a heavy and light mashie fairway, by accident with the handbrake only partly on. and a driving iron to accomplish an improbable feat. Henry also Members looking out of the clubhouse window were both shocked achieved his objective, with a count of 292. and not a little amused to observe the car inching over the edge, trundling through the area now covered in gorse, then careering THERE was a saying at Mold that if you were drawn to across the first fairway and second green before coming to rest play alongside Harvey (“Hitman”) Davies, you should take against a fairly new but stout sapling. out insurance. Harvey was the man with the magnetic at- Thus the car was prevented from ploughing into the hedge and traction for golf balls, and was struck no fewer than 10 could be quickly recovered, and the sapling survived to grow into times. Painful for him, but inevitably a subject of some amusement healthy tree. for several of his Aerospace work colleagues who also played golf at Mold. TWO complimentary tickets for the 1983 Open Champi- On one occasion they acquired a factory safety helmet and added onship at Royal Birkdale were acquired from a well-known wings on each side, and presented it to Harvey on the first tee in a lock manufacturer by member Viv Blackwell, who gener- club competition. It may have offered protection – but it also proved ously donated them to a club auction. The top bidder was a big weight on his mind. So heavy was it he had to discard it after a Mary Jeffcott, who gave both to her husband Les, saying she didn’t couple of holes to ease his aching neck. want to go. Mary and Les then mutually decided they would ask Viv to join IAN McHarrie’s Charity Day in the summer of 1986 Les at Birkdale. On the appointed day the pair arrived, watched some brought a real carnival atmosphere to the course with a golf, enjoyed a splendid lunch in the hospitality tent, and on leaving bouncy castle, sideshows and stalls. Captain Ian had also were each presented with a six-pack with which to quench their thirst arranged for Martin Carty, then the club’s professional, to during the afternoon. Sipping away, they settled down by the 13th provide video swing lessons for a small sum, and also set up a 150- green to watch the stars putting. yard hole-in-one competition on what is now the 17th. However, it was a warm day, and by the time American Craig Jim Townson was one of the takers for Martin’s wise counsel, and (“The Walrus”) Stadler arrived on the green, Viv was enjoying a not- half-an-hour later decided to put the advice into practice. He paid £1 so-quiet nap. Stadler, having identified the area where the noise was for seven attempts at the hole-in-one, and in went the fourth, netting coming from, asked Les, who was awake, to kindly ask the offending Jim a £200 cash prize and a weekend at Lake Windermere. gentleman to quit snoring – please! 72 ...all said to be true

LOST in the fog – that was Jim Townson’s tee-shot as he It could however be said that Brad Plimmer had an advantage. played with Mick and Bill Beveridge and Dave Jones in a The Norman Roberts Cup was competed for three times in 1922, and turkey trot fourball in late 1982. At the eighth hole – now twice in 1923; and the Peter Roberts Cup could be won twice in both the 11th – Mick hit a good-looking shot into the pea-souper. 1922 and 1923. Bill and Dave’s efforts appeared less than perfect, but Jim’s shot looked bigger than Mick’s as it disappeared in the gloom. When the IN EARLY 1980 it was reported that children were stealing quartet approached the green only one ball became visible on it – golf balls from the bottom field, filling bags and offering Mick’s, just short of the flag. them for sale to members, who were quickly advised not to Bill and Dave soon found theirs, but a long search for Jim’s ball buy balls from children either on or off the course. behind the green was fruitless, and finally they gave up and Mick made to walk back to putt. But as he passed the flag, he looked into WHILE being invited to take on the Presidency in 1980, the cup and exclaimed “the b.....’s in there!” Two holes later the fog Len Hinks-Edwards mentioned one or two of his disabili- thickened and the competition was called off, but at least Jim had the ties and health problems to the Captain and Vice-Captain, consolation of a hole-in-one. but asked them not to consider him a hypochondriac. In his acceptance speech at the following AGM, Len recalled with a grin THE infamous Orange Curtain made its debut in 1974, the that they told him not to worry – “religion didn’t come into it”. All year of Jim Illingworth’s captaincy. At the time, before the they wanted was a figurehead – not a President who kept interfering. addition of the “snug”, a rule instructing all those entering He added: “They told me it didn’t matter if I was a doddering old the clubhouse to be properly attired in jacket and tie was fool. At this point I began to feel quite flattered”. being enforced – to the irritation of many of the members coming in off the course. A UNIQUE double was achieved in 1976 by Les Robins in So an orange curtain was attached to one of the wooden beams winning both the Jenkinson Handicap Cup and the Sheila crossing the big room, and the jacket-and-tie brigade occupied the Williams Scratch Trophy finals. At the time both were bar end, while the “scruffs” were hidden from view at the other end, knockout competitions, and on a soaking Saturday Les allowed to pass the barrier only to replenish their drinks. Happily, the (playing off 10) beat John Harley (12) 2-up, and in better conditions rule was eventually relaxed, and the curtain came down on an amus- on the following Sunday defeated Harvey Harrison (8) 2&1. ing episode. Since the format of the Sheila Williams event was subsequently altered to medal, the feat cannot be exactly repeated, although Eryl NOT all members were in favour of the tree-planting Williams (twice, 1985 and 1995), Tim Davies (1996) and Richard scheme of the seventies. The story goes that at one end of Ledsham (2008) have won both trophies in the same year. the bar stood a collection box labelled “tree fund”. At the other end was another collection box labelled “chainsaw RED-ROBED and white-bearded, Harvey Davies was start- fund”. Happily this proved merely a token protest; the implied threat ing a seasonal stint as Father Christmas, ho-ho-ing and was never carried out. ringing his bell as he walked from the machinery shed towards the clubhouse, every step watched from the windows THE two oldest competitions at Mold – the Peter Roberts by children awaiting presents from his sack. Suddenly he disap- and Norman Roberts Cups – have six times been won in the peared from view – he had stumbled into a six-foot snowdrift. same year by the same player. G B (“Brad”) Plimmer Eventually he clambered back to his feet, brushed off the snow scored the first double in 1922, and repeated the feat in and made it to the clubhouse, confident the children would be taken 1923. In 1934 and again in 1947 Len Hinks-Edwards collected both in by his splendid uniform. Most were – but not young Alex Brad- trophies, as did Noel Pughe in 1960 and D John Ellis in 1979. book, who said: “Hey, I know you – you’re Harvey Davies!” 73 Acknowledgements

Alongside Centenary Ball chief guest John Parrott are members of the Centenary Committee (from left) Bob Taylor, Roy Fisher, Gaynor Jones, Martyn Scholes, Eliz- abeth Harrison, Dave Ashworth, Anne Lloyd Davies, Chris Mills, Debbie Barton, Har- vey Harrison, Tudor Hughes (chairman), Dave Thurston and Bob Adams. Paul Hedgeland, also a member, was unable to be present.

he Centenary Committee would like to thank all those mem- We wish to record our special thanks for the assistance kindly bers of Mold Golf Club, former and present, who have pro- given by members of the present generations of the family of Peter Tvided information for this compilation, and especially to those Edwards Roberts: David Sumner, Peter Allnutt, and Henry Norman people, not directly connected with the club, whose contributions Roberts and his wife Joyce. have made it possible for the club’s early history to be written. Photographs courtesy of Simon Buckley (Col. Lloyd and W These include: Roy Abbott (Liverpool Business and Tech. Buckley), Albert Cooper (Peter Roberts’ grave), Henry Norman Library), Simon Buckley (Plas Hafod Hotel), John Cameron, Capper Roberts (Capt. Roberts), David Sumner (Roberts family at Bromfield and Jones (Solicitors), Albert Cooper (Bournemouth Cemetery), Hall and Wood-Milne advertisement), Charles Wynne-Eyton (Major Richard Davies, Philip Eagle (The British Library), John Edwards Wynne-Eyton), Wrexham Golf Club (George Gadd exhibition match), (Plas Hafod Hotel), Peter Elliott (RAF Museum, Hendon), Hannah Mike Worsnip (front cover), NWN Media (various) and Chronicle Fleming (R&A), Judith Gadd, Tim Hinks-Edwards, Fiona MacDon- Newspapers (various). ald (R&A), Mike Grant (RAF Historical Society), Jan Marsh (Bournemouth Library), Angela Moore (Flintshire Record Office), We are particularly grateful to Eric Langton for his technical Nicola Moorhouse (Roehampton Club), Rev Huw Powell-Davies expertise and untiring diligence in the assembly of the text, photo- (Bethesda Chapel, Mold), Mark Strong (National Library of Wales), graphs and graphics. We are greatly indebted to NWN Media for their and Charles Wynne-Eyton (Tower, Nercwys). generous support in enabling this publication to be printed.