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.

PETER SUTTON - Captain 1991