A History of Golf Club by long standing member Dean Hardy In 1923 city council opened the first The course was held in such high esteem that 18 hole municipal golf course in Leeds at TNGC narrowly lost out to Southport and Temple Newsam. The council employed the Ainsdale GC in been selected as the venue for services of Dr Alistair MacKenzie to design the 1937 . the course, Dr MacKenzie was a renowned In an attempt to get the Ryder Cup to TNGC golf course architect who designed the (father of the famous golf Augusta National venue of the Masters, commentator ) was made the Cypress Point USA, Royal Melbourne as professional in 1936. Alliss was later replaced well as Moortown and Alwoodly. by Bill Shankland, who came to Due to the success and the touring with the Australian Rugby number of people playing golf League team, he played for a second course was commis- Warrington and when he retired sioned, again Dr MacKenzie was he concentrated on golf. He joined the architect and this course TNGC in 1938 as the professional opened in 1925. The two and whilst representing TNGC he courses were named the Lord played in the British Open many Irwin (No.1) and the Lady times with his best position of 3rd Dorothy (No.2) who were the in 1939 and 4th in 1947. owners of the Temple Newsam When war broke out the estate which was sold to Leeds government took 18 holes on City Council in 1923. the golf course for agriculture Most golf clubs have a and eventually outcrop mining resident professional and the as it was discovered that coal first professional at TNGC was required for the war effort was Syd Wingate who brought his only a few feet under the fairways sister Poppy with him to be his of the course. The remaining 18 assistant. Poppy became the holes made a composite course first ever women to play in a Men’s professional this remained in place until 1957 when the two golf tournament in 1933, when she entered the courses were restored. The layout of both Evening News tournament held at courses have remained since that day, allowing TNGC, competing against the country’s top the people of Leeds the opportunity to Pay and professionals of the day, , Abe Play golf at any time. Mitchell, In April 2017, decided to . redesign the courses in an attempt to attract One of the more players to TNGC. The redesign closed 9 most famous holes and the new layout comprises of an 18 player ever to hole course and a new 9 hole course. The mem- play at TNGC bers of TNGC were in- was Gene volved in planning the new Sarazen a layout of the 9 and 18 hole top US golfer courses and it is hoped who played that these changes will exhibition encourage more people to matches on visit TNGC and also give the course the people of East Leeds on a few access to a 9 hole course, occasions. which can be completed in less than 2 hours.

Anyone wishing to play golf at TNGC can call 0113 264 7362 for further details, if you are interested in membership please email [email protected].