Club History

Formed on December 23rd, 1892, Wearside has survived many a crisis on the way to picking up virtually every honour on the Durham County scene, and has had much success at both domestic and international level too.

Enthusiastic, prominent and highly successful businessmen who were also sportsmen and committee members of Sunderland and Cricket and Rugby Football Club (Ashbrooke) became founder members of Wearside, and the Earl of Durham consented to become President.

Legend has it that timbers, donated by William and Frank Pickersgill (well-known shipbuilders), were floated up the river in 1901 to erect a wooden bridge spanning the Spa Well Gill enabling access to the 14th green and 15th tee box, and it is only recently that the bridge has needed a replacement.

There have been many changes in its 109 years, which includes club house fires in both 1909 and 1956. In World War One, the hallowed turf was used for cattle grazing and again in WW2, Wearside did its bit by allowing most of its fairways to be ploughed up for crop growing. The undulations, as a result of the ploughing are still apparent today across several of the fairways.

Course records have come and gone due to changes, but not many better the seven under par by Richard Walker, who represented England at Schoolboy and Youth level.

1990 saw a remarkable coup for Wearside, with members holding all four Durham County titles. Billy Edgar won the County Junior Strokeplay Championship, David Vest won the Junior Matchplay Championship, Howard Walton added the County Matchplay, and Richard Walker took the Strokeplay Championship.

A History of the Clubhouse (By Peter Sutton - Captain 1991)

Since the Club's formation in 1892, there have been three clubhouses on the course at Coxgreen. The earliest reference to a pavilion was in a 1895 Sunderland Echo, when the club played the Officers of the Channel Fleet (anchored off Sunderland), in a golf match at Coxgreen. Afterwards visitors and members sat down in the pavilion to a luncheon provided by Meng Brothers of Fawcett Street.

This pavilion stood close to the present 9th tee, being positioned there for two reasons, ease of access from road and railway and because the course boundary at that time was Copperas Gill, on the right of the 18th fairway.
With the regular rail service from Sunderland to the nearby Coxgreen Station providing the main mode of transport to the course, the membership began to increase. So the tiny clubhouse was significantly enlarged, being formally opened in 1897 by the Club President, the Earl of Durham.

Following an Exhibition match featuring the All-England Champion, HARRY VARDON, at Coxgreen in 1899, the Club engaged him to plan a further 9 holes, which resulted in a reconstructed course of 18 holes, being opened in 1901. Because of the expense the membership was increased, so again the clubhouse was enlarged by adding a tearoom, 250 locker room, a corridor with extra lockers, improved accommodation for ladies, plus space for cars and bicycles. The subscriptions were also increased to £2.

Disaster struck in 1909 when the clubhouse was completely destroyed by fire, however its destruction gave the committee a freehand to meet the Club's increasing requirements by providing an up-to-date headquarters, the entrance fee was increased to £5.

"The Club requests that the Earl of Durham will accept himself and his guests at Lambton Castle, the privilege of playing the course at all times"

Afterwards he opened the pavilion door and signed the visitors book.

The pavilion, constructed mainly of wood, had patent red roofing tiles, a lounge, smoke-room, dining room and locker room, with ladies accommodation upstairs. The original lighting was by acetylene lamps, later replaced with oil lamps, electricity eventually being installed in 1952, at a cost of £400, the money being raised by members contributing into an "Electric Light Fund". In 1935 lunch cost 2/- (1Op) and tea 1/- (5p), whilst in 1951 tea and toast was 1/3d (6p), draught Samson was 1/7d (8p) per pint, with whisky 2/3d (11 p).

Tuesday, 23rd October 1956, was again disastrous for the Club, the pavilion being completely destroyed by fire, which started in the electricity generator hut behind the clubhouse, when oil burst into flames following overheating of the generator. The flames spread to the wooden walls of the pavilion, setting the paint alight, with flaming oil gushing from the bursting oil drums. Next morning members arrived hoping to salvage their belongings, but all they found were charred remains.

The old Offerton School building, (then used as kennels), at the bottom of the bank beside the bridge was rented, as a temporary clubhouse for the 370 members, whilst a new pavilion was being built.

Floodlights illuminated the new £30,000 clubhouse on the 4th March 1958, for the official opening. Club President, J. RAMSAY GEBBIE opened the clubhouse door using a golden key. That evening the Clubs' professional, BERT PEARSE, was presented with a cheque and an Honorary Membership, to mark 35 years of loyal service to the Club.
In preparation for the Club's Centenary, clubhouse alterations began in the autumn of 1991. The downstairs rooms then used as trolley and greens staff accommodation, were converted into a locker room, whilst upstairs the original wooden lockers were replaced with metal lockers. The secretary's office and the foyer were enlarged and the lounge, bar and kitchen were refurbished. A trophy cabinet was installed and a completely new set of honour's boards were positioned around the walls.

THE 1960’S

At the 1960 AGM, Jack Hugall (Chairman), said that the professional - Bert Pearse - was proposing to retire at any time, adding that he was happy to carry on his duties until a new professional was engaged. Because Bert had been pro. since 1923, the Club was uncertain as to the procedure used when hiring a replacement, so approached the P.G.A. They advised advertising in golfing magazines, also quoting the current average retainer of £250/£330 per annum. The terms of employment as proposed by the Club were:- weekly wage £5; supervision of greens staff, organising/running competitions, caddie supervision, tutoring and repairing golf equipment. This resulted in Roger Smith being appointed pro in 1960. Following a period of 5 years with the Club he resigned when appointed manager at a new golf complex which opened in Dykelands Road, close to the sea front.

Bert Pearse died in 1965, the following year his family presented a Memorial Trophy for an annual Durham County Juniors Competition. In the inaugural year 55 youngsters took part - the youngest was 12 years old. That year Guy Lloyd (Captain) presented a Trophy to be awarded annually for the best performance by a team member representing Wearside in league matches. This was designed to be an incentive for younger members to strive for a team place. The first name to be inscribed on the new trophy was Eric Hodgson.

A new venture followed the resignation of Jimmy Potter (he had been Secretary for nine years), when G.A. Pattinson was appointed Club Manager in 1967. It was thought that a Manager would be able to attend swiftly to matters of cash, correspondance, staff contracts and general supervision. Later however, following an illness he moved from the district whereupon the post reverted to Hon. Secretary.

Following the axing of train services between Sunderland and Durham in 1962, the Club approached British Rail concerning the availability of the nearby Coxgreen Station being used as accomodation for a new head greenkeeper - but to no avail. As a second option, a house in Fatfield was purchased in an effort to attract a topclass replacement for Peter Crombie (head greenkeeper), due for retirement. This resulted in Mr Turpie (Whitley Bay) being appointed in 1966. Tribute was paid to Peter upon his retirement following 25 years with the Club. He was dedicated to Wearside, and was known to work on the course before dawn, mowing tees and greens for the days competition. In those days hand mowers were used - a heavy and time consuming process.

Jack Hugall retired in 1962 - his successor H. Leslie Mitchell paid tribute, saying “In 1945 Jack took the dual role of Secretary/Treasurer, a most difficult job as much of the course restoration had to be done by volunteers as wartime had created a labour shortage. He had a short break from officialdom before once again becoming Chairman in 1956. The Clubhouse (opened in 1958) fire is still fresh in our minds, but the building in which we now meet reflects great credit on the efforts of Jack Hugall”. Club Captain George Felton, informed the committee in the early 60's that the position of Captain was rapidly becoming to onerous for one man, suggesting the formation of a competitions committee to ease the burden on the Captain - adding that this would have the advantage of releasingthe greens committee from all their handicapping duties. This resulted in the formation of a “Competitions and Handicaps Committee”, which during the years has become an essential and integral part of Club activities. Shortly afterwards the method of assessing standard scratch was ammended on a national scale (1965), this resulted in the lowering of the S.S.S. because the 18th hole (then a par 5), was designated a par 4. The Club, however wanted to retain S.S.S.70, but to achieve this it would be necessary to increase course yardage. This was ultimately achieved by the construction of a new 18th green, to its present position, thereby extending the yardage of the hole by 73 yards. The entire putting surface from the original undulating green was lifted and re-laid on the new site. The extra length qualified the hole as a par 5 once again - D.C.G.U. then gave the Wearside Course S.S.S.70. At the same time the 10th green was altered considerably. One of the oldest greens on the course it had retained its original saucer shape with a high flat front, and was considered to be one of the best greens on the course. However its distinctive hollow severely restricted pin placement, so it was filled and levelled. To highlight the green, trees were to be planted at the rear - but sadly this never happened due to the Clubs economic measures.

In an effort to stimulate greater interest and increase revenue more medal competitions were added to the fixture list, whilst Sunday competitions were introduced as well as invitation days. An exhibition match involving Ryder Cup players Dai Rees, Dave Thomas, Bernard Hunt and Neil Coles took place in 1963 in aid of the Forces Help Society and Lord Roberts Workshops for disabled members of the Armed Forces. Receipts from the day, including a donation of £100 from the “60-Minute Dry Cleaners” in Holmside, resulted in £315 being raised for the Fund.

The North Eastern Electricity Board informed the Club that improvements to the National Grid would necessitate their electricity cables crossing the course at a height of 50 feet and the erection of a supporting pylon adjoining the 18th green. In response the Club submitted a revised plan showing repositioned pylons which would divert the cables from the straight line, resulting in a curve or dog-leg, ensuring the cables passed to the rear of the first green - thereby avoiding crossing the course. Thanks to the timely intervention of Wearside President, J. Ramsay Gebbie, himself a highly respected industrialist - the board agreed to the proposal.

To help reduce a considerable deficit in 1967, (male membership then limited to 275), a new category was introduced, the "Over 65's", for both gentlemen and ladies, this was accompanied by an increase in subscription - gentlemen £21 and ladies £11. However as the decade drew to a close, the Treasurer, Frank Boulton, reported to the 1969 A.G.M. that the ever increasing deficit in revenue could be directly attributed to the decreasing membership, resulting in reduced bar and gaming machine takings, coupled with steadily rising costs. At that time the Club was being kept in existence by a mere 400 members. How could this situation be resolved? To Frank, the Clubs position would largely be rectified by an increase in revenue, which could only be achieved by attracting a substantial number of new members to Wearside Golf Club.

PETER SUTTON - Captain 1991