The Buxton and High Peak Golf Club

The Buxton and High Peak Golf Club

This little booklet provides a snapshot of both the Club and life in Buxton in the inter-war period. It was published in 1925.

Cover

Introducing itself as the B&HPCG, seems to make it clear that there is only ONE such club in Buxton and the High Peak.

Inside front cover

Sanders garages “The Motor House”, 6, The Quadrant, Buxton

There is a fine vehicle featured. Did they really act as agents for Buick?

There are three lines for phone calls; two have only two numbers. How did that work?

Page 1

W.A & C.S. Ball, Scarsdale Place and South Avenue: house furnishers

Page 2

The Old Hall Hotel, features direct internal communication with the famous baths. This avoided any inclement weather. Perhaps this feature will be restored as part of the on-going developments?

Careful inspection of the sketch suggests that it could have been made last week (apart from the cars). A particularly nice touch is the Devonshire Dome in the background.

Page 3

The Crescent Hotel, offers direct access by covered colonnade to the Buxton Mineral Water Baths, gardens and pavilion.

The Adam dining room is mentioned: perhaps it will be available again soon?

Special terms are offered to golfers!

 

Page 4

Illustrated Histories: promoting books on cricket and football. Why not golf?

The cricket books appear to be priced at 1/- each (1/1 post free), while the football books are 6d. or 7d.

Cricket was, perhaps, more prestigious than football?

Page 5

While The Duke of Devonshire remains President, there appear to be a very large number of Vice-Presidents. This roll-call includes a Duke, a Marquis, an Earl, a Member of Parliament and a Doctor.

What an impressive membership!

Page 6

Hampson Bros, 8, The Quadrant (Tel: 38) offer furnished houses on reasonable terms.

Page 7

Golf Club information starts here. You can see that the booklet is published by the Golf Clubs Association, of John Street, Bedford Row, WC1 in 1925.

There is a tree (oak?) with the letters G.W.M. under it.

Pages 8 and 9

A photograph of the seventh and seventeenth greens shows a gentleman and two ladies playing golf together. A mixed competition? Was this Club a pioneer in Ladies Golf?

There is also the first of several fine silhouettes on page 9.

Pages 10 and 11

Due respect is shown in the text to the Artisan section of the Club, together with an indication of the size of the club membership. This includes ladies, something which many Clubs would have found reluctant to include.

The photograph of the Clubhouse shows the sheds to the left [Please see History of the Clubhouse for further details]. The wing which now houses the ladies changing rooms and the upper part of the bar has yet to be added.

The tenth tee is shown clearly, but the A6 is not there in the picture. Perhaps it was still an unmade up road?

Pages 12 and 13

Page 12 has details of competitions. Whitsun week appears to be very intense.

There is a competition for the Buxton Town Bowl in the summer. Further information regarding this prize would be welcomed: who won it last time it was played for?

It is also noted that three amateurs scored a 72 in Whitsun week of 1924, while Harold Wolliscroft (the Professional) scored a 70 on 28/5/24.

Finally, there is an interesting reverse silhouette of a gentleman golfer on this page. This technique is quite sophisticated for its day.

The photograph on page 13 shows the thirteenth green; this appears very different to the existing 13th.

Pages 14 and 15

Fees and subscriptions feature on page 12, along another fine silhouette of a lady golfer in full swing. For the day, her dress appears to be quite bold. However, with a rather huge and ominous cloud behind her, I hope that she has some waterproofs ready.

The photo looking across from the sixteenth towards the old Devonshire Arms on page 15 is a view which many Club members will recognise.  The A6 is just a track, matched in size with the bridleway across the course.

St Peter’s Church appears largely unchanged.

Pages 16 and 17

While 16 is a stroke table, the holes, distances and bogey score table suggests a quite different course to the one we see today.

The photo on page 17 is a charming view of the eighteenth green with the Clubhouse in the background. The flag on the green appears to be a smaller marker than those used currently.

Pages 18 and 19

Local rules feature what to do if your ball lands in manure, hoof marks or cart tracks. This suggests that the golf course had a variety of conflicting uses.

Page 20

James L. Denman, of 8, Spring Gardens was the wine merchant to the Club.

They appear to have an interest in supplying natural Champagne, vintage Claret and Big Ben Scotch Whisky.

Inside back cover

W.Sturgess and Son supply mowers and other agricultural equipment.

The fine machine in the picture is a classic!

The Engineering Works was in Torr Street and on Bath Road.

Back cover

Oliver’s Hydro was at the Haddon grove Hotel. It features hydropathic and Electric Baths, promising perfect sanitary arrangements.

They also promote an elevator “free from motor dust” to all floors.

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In conclusion, I hope that this review has highlighted some of the points of interest in 1925 Buxton and the Buxton and High Peak Golf Club.

If there are any errors or omissions please contact me through the Club.

Further detail on any of these matters can be added and would be welcome.

Jon White

January 2017

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