HOWLEY HALL GOLF CLUB
A BRIEF HISTORY

Howley Hall Golf Club was instituted in August 1900 when a group of business and professional people from the surrounding area took a lease on land owned by the Estate of the Earl of Cardigan.

The 9 hole course was built in treeless pasture and meadowland parcelled off by stone walls - some of which still exist around the course. They leased 63 acres at 30s per acre and the 150 members paid annual subscriptions of £2 2s. After five years in a temporary "pavilion" clubhouse the estate Bailiff's House became available and the club took the lease and made it into the clubhouse.

That original house has been incorporated into all developments over the years, and is still a central part of the present clubhouse. Although it cannot be detected within the modern refurbished building it can still be seen from the outside and golfers get an excellent view from the 18th tee as they play towards the clubhouse.

In 1907 the club gained another 229 acres and began to develop an 18 hole course which was completed in 1909. Within a few years the club decided some alterations were required and called on the famous Dr Alister Mackenzie to advise at a fee of five guineas.

Dr Mackenzie was involved in the design of many courses in the region but his most famous involvement was with the design of the Augusta National. Many of his ideas are still to be seen around Howley, including his well known split level Mackenzie greens.

It was not until 1924 that the members managed to purchase the course and clubhouse for the princely sum of £4,250 and it was another two years before anyone was allowed to play on Sundays.

Records from 1932 show subscriptions at £4 4s and green fees at 2s 6d per day. At that time beer was being sold in the clubhouse for 1s per pint.

It is in the last 30 years that the course has changed beyond all recognition. Over 35,000 trees have been planted since the present course layout was achieved in the 70s and the course transformed from heathland to parkland.

It is now recognised as one of the premier courses in the region.

FOOTNOTE

Howley Hall itself was an exquisite Elizabethan mansion built in 1590 as the home of Sir John Savile, Baron of Pontefract, Privy Councillor, MP for Yorkshire and probably one of the richest men in the North of England.

The hall was later blown up at the instigation of the agent to Lord Cardigan and now only the ruins remain at the side of the 17th fairway.

Histories of both Howley Hall and of the golf club have been written by Jay Whittam and are available through the club.