History In The Making

May 12 2008 by The Journal

Middlesbrough Golf Club - known locally as Middlesbrough Brass Castle - can look back on a century of history this year. In 1908 Mr Dormand Stewart Junior, a local businessman contacted his associates and friends to help him form a golf club. An inaugural meeting was held on 20th November 1908 in the Grand Hotel Middlesbrough and "The Middlesbrough Golf Club" was formed.

The club leased four fields of Saltersgill Farm from tenant farmer Charles Robinson, the land being part of the Emmerson Estate. The first competition - over 9 holes - was held on Boxing Day 1908. Golf was seen as a game for older men in those days but ladies gradually became interested and a Ladies Committee was formed in 1910. Because of its popularity the course was increased to 18 holes in 1911.

The club stayed at this location until 1939 when it moved to its present home on Bonnygrove and Brass Castle farms. The new course was designed by five times Open Champion James Braid in 1937. At that time the Club President was the Middlesbrough Town Clerk Preston Kitchen.

The war years proved a difficult time and some holes were used for crops whilst sheep grazed the course throughout the hostilities.

After the war the club developed and significant modifications designed by golf club member Stuart Hicks were made to the course in 1984-89.

Further developments took place in 1999 when 10 greens were remodelled and new course drainage was added. Similarly the clubhouse has been developed over the years with a major renovation and expansion in 2002.

The club has had many noteworthy members over the years. In particular Marjory Fleischmann, who became President of the English Ladies Golf Association, Alf Winney who was responsible for the formation of the Teesside District Union, Martin Thompson who won the "Amateur" in 1982, Jonathon Lupton who won the 2003 Brabazon and Michael Skelton who played in the Walker Cup in 2003.