A PAST captain of Outlane Golf Club, Bob Hazelden, has put together a few interesting (and possibly little-known) facts with regards to clubs in the Halifax, Huddersfield and District Union.

Hazelden readily admits his information is largely down to his own range of knowledge, but suggests he would be delighted to be ‘straightened out’ about any inaccuracies. Bob states:

Huddersfield and Woodsome Hall Golf Clubs have both had an Earl Of Dartmouth as their president. The former club had an Earl of Dartmouth as their first President in 1891, while the latter still has a generation of Earl of Dartmouths as theirs.

Bradley Hall Golf Club has a 16th century listed building for its clubhouse. Lord Mexborough opened the new club facilities in 1924 after the club acquired the land and building.

Crosland Heath was originally going to be a nine-hole golf course at Cowlersley in 1896, but it assumed its present title in 1914 on its possession of the land where it is situated. The proposed clubhouse was not in use for some time and the nearby Sands House Hotel was used as a temporary base for the early golfing members.

Saddleworth had a surprisingly large number of 71 lady members in 1913 and, with only a few cars in those days, the ladies had to travel to away matches by bus, carrying their clubs. One of the older lady members recalled the fact that in the ‘olden days’, because of the lack of lockers, they had to take their handbags with them on the course as well as their clubs.

Outlane was originally Lindley Golf Club as a nine-hole lay-out around Petty Royd (below Scapegoat Hill) but then increased its number of holes, leading to it becoming Outlane. Eventually a new clubhouse was built in 1971 on the site of an old roman camp, hence the emblem of a roman helmet on the club’s sweaters.

Todmorden has a clubhouse that was built in 1764 which is 400ft above the town and an interesting club badge which has a White Rose and Red Rose on it, suggesting the course is in both Yorkshire and Lancashire. The course encompasses a Celtic burial ground.

Hebden Bridge (7th & 8th holes) and Hanging Heaton (7th & 8th holes) are clubs which unusually have consecutive par threes. The former’s 8th hole is 1,000ft above sea level, while the latter’s course is known as Pumps Fields or Tewit land, which is a bird – hence the bird on the club logo.

Ryburn (9th & 10th holes) and Longley Park (9th & 10th holes ) are another two clubs who have consecutive par threes. The former was founded in 1910 at Norland, on the hillside above Sowerby Bridge, and the latter was formed a year after in 1911, within walking distance of Huddersfield town centre.

Castlefields also has consecutive par threes – but then every hole at the six-hole course is a par three, and many members share their golf with other clubs.

Crow Nest Park is steeped in history, it first being referred to in 1592 before having Sir Titus Salt as a tenant (he died in 1876). Local farmer Richard Harrison, founder and owner of the land, was instrumental in establishing the golf club in 1995, which has some trees over 400 years old.

Dewsbury is actually situated in Mirfield and is built on land known as The Pinnacle. It is the oldest club in the union. Tom Morris designed it in 1891 and later Ted Ray made it into an 18-hole course and, finally, Peter Allis and Dave Thomas re-designed the layout.

Elland started out as a six-hole course, but once it became established as a nine-hole course an unusual rule came into force banning play on a Sunday. In 1937 the ban was lifted, but golfers had to go to a prayer meeting before 1.30pm if they wanted to play on the Sabbath. However there is no record of players attending these meetings.

Meltham was one of the founder members of the HHDUGC Rabbits association in 1953 and one member of the founding body, Chris Naylor, is still an active Meltham member despite never being a Rabbit himself. Thick Hollins Hall became the clubhouse after a local land owner sold the property.

Marsden was a gift from generous Colne Valley mill owner John Edward Crowther in 1920 to the village inhabitants of Marsden. The club’s professional, Alec Bickerdike, was also employed as both steward and greenkeeper along with his golf duties.

Bradley Park was the idea of a member of Kirklees Council in 1973 and was opened four years later to cater for all levels of golfers. It is now established as one of the busiest golf courses in the Union.