The Barwickians' Golfing Society:
The first two years.
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The Barwickians' Golfing Society:
The first two years.
Barwicker No.125
Winter 2017
It was at a meeting at The Institute in Barwick on Monday, 23rd
February, 1959, that a discussion took place regarding the formation of
a Golfing Society confined to the golfers of the village.
Mr. E. Stocks was asked to take the Chair.
Mr. E.D. Holmes, seconded by Mr. T.C. Lambert, proposed that such a
Society be formed 'to promote and foster golf in Barwick-in-Elmet by
running competitions, matches and other events, and to encourage
young men to play golf with a view to becoming members. '
Mr. W.L. Smith proposed, seconded by Mr. G.W. Walker, that the
Society be named The Barwickians' Golfing Society.
Both propositions were unanimously adopted.
Membership was confined to male members who were 18 years and
over, resident in the Barwick Ward (with one extension, that is from
the western boundary along Leeds Road as far as Barwick Garage).
The Officers and Committee were subject to annual election. It was agreed
that the subscription would be ten shillings per annum,
payable on 1st January.
As far as a programme for the year was concerned, the Committee
decided to arrange a Spring Golf meeting at Selby in April, an Autumn
meeting, an Annual Dinner at Garforth Golf Club and a Ladies
evening. Garforth Golf Club was to be the headquarters of the Society.
At a Committee Meeting the following month, the first Spring meeting
was arranged and 10 new members were approved. This first Spring meeting took place on 3rd May 1959 and 21 members
took part.
At the 12th June Committee meeting, several members emphasized the
need for confining membership to golfers only.
And it was decided to adopt a Society tie. A selection was provided by
the President and eventually the chosen design was ordered from
Messrs. Thresher & Glenny Ltd. The order was for 36 ties.
By October, at the Selby Golf Club meeting, all 20 members were
wearing the Society tie and it was the first meeting where the
President's Cup was presented and the winner was Mr. J.C. Stocks.
One recurring problem in the first year was the difficulty in persuading
members to confirm their attendance at the various golf meetings and
functions. It was emphasized that it was impossible to make
arrangements for food etc. if the correct number was unknown. This
problem was raised in October 1959, February 1960 and June 1960.
No solution was forthcoming! However, at the AGM in February
1961, the Hon. Secretary 'expressed pleasant surprise at the prompt
way in which members had responded to the last circular'.
The first Ladies Evening was held on 23rd March 1960 at the
Mansion, Roundhay. Tickets were 21 shillings each and evening dress
was to be worn. There is no mention in the subsequent Committee
meeting as to how the evening went.
The June Committee meeting was held at Elmwood House, the home
of the Captain, Dr Smith who announced his intention of donating a
trophy to be played for annually as the Captain's Cup.
The remainder of the Committee meetings in 1960 were taken up with
arrangements for the Autumn meeting, the AGM and the Ladies
evening, and long discussions took place on the resolutions to be put
before the AGM to amend the Articles of Association including
limiting membership of the Society to 40 with any future applicant
having to be a member of a Golf Club with preference given to
Garforth Golf Club members. This was passed at the AGM in
February 1961.
ANN WINTER
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