The first clubhouse erected in 1927
The Years 1928 to 1978
from "A History of Scraptoft Golf Club" by Robert E Lee
Scraptoft Golf Club was founded by four men, A V Johnson, Captain R J Green TD, A J Gisborne and C Huntley. A limited company was formed on 4th July 1927 and named "The Scraptoft Golf Club Limited."
At first it was the intention to open a 9 hole course but such was the response for membership that extra land was acquired and the full 18 holes were prepared early in the following year. A small parcel of land was purchased to erect a clubhouse and the land of the course was taken on lease.
The course was constructed by James Coles and Sons, the nurserymen and foreman in charge was John Riddlestone. With the time and finances available to the company, there was a great deal to be desired in the quality of the course and due to the restricted area available, the initial length was only 4871 yards with a bogey 70.
Captain R J Green was the first honorary secretary and the first professional, Alfred Goodridge, was appointed. A young assistant by the name of Frank Liddiard was engaged. An early member of the greens staff was W E Colver who was to serve the club for many years.
The opening ceremony on 28th January 1928 was performed by Mr W Lindsay MP in strong biting wind and rain. An exhibition match followed between Alfred Goodridge nad three other local professionals, J Seager (Rothley Park), E Manton (Kirby Muxloe) and P F Weston (Birstall. The weather was so bad the match was called off after 7 holes. The golf, however, was very good with one professional being one under fours at the time and the others not far behind.
Despite its deficiencies, the course had advantages over others and was described in the local newspaper of the day as "standing 500 ft above sea level, commanding delightful views of the famous hunting country and Billesdon Coplow." It was said that the "air was so pure and exhilarating that the average golfer could play 36 holes and feel almost as fresh at the end as he did when starting out." The article also made reference to the fact that Billesdon Coplow was the scene of the ‘Great Run’ by the local hunt in 1800, when the hounds covered 28 miles in 2? hours.
The lady members were, however, finding that even 18 holes of golf were a little exhausting and at their first General Meeting on 18th June 1928 it was proposed that a one hour rest should be taken after 9 holes during competitions. The club was very popular with the ladies who could play with few restrictions on times.
The clubhouse was situated on the same site as the present building and was a timber single-storey pavilion type construction with a typical slatted verandah facing the course. The very small car park was behind the clubhouse and not on the Beeby side as it is now. The accommodation principally offered changing facilities for both ladies and gentlemen.
The professional’s shop was a small garden shed. Mr Goodridge was under contract to play Harlequin balls and he was presented with a small trophy from that company when he broke the course record with a ten under fours 62. This remains the best recorded score for the first course.
The first committees were formed in 1928 and details of the members are shown here. It would appear that a captain had not been elected at outset but this soon followed. The rules of the day were such that a committee member absent for three meetings was "ipso facto" no longer a committee member. It was to be the practice for a number of years that an Honorary Captain and a Playing Captain be elected. Mr W Lindsay Everard, later to be knighted, as the first Honorary Captain, a position he retained for many years. There was also for some years a Thursday Captain.
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