CLCGA History

A Cornwall Ladies Golf championship started in 1896 and in 1912 Ladies’ Cornwall Golf Union was set up. Then in 1928 Cornwall Ladies’ County Golf Association came into being. At a meeting of the Ladies’ Cornwall Golf Union on Tuesday 26 November 1929 at the Red Lion Hotel, Truro, the agenda included “ Invitation from ‘The Cornwall Ladies’County Association’ to ‘The Ladies’ Cornwall Golf Union’ to amalgamate. They proposed that the County Championship Week, and all the usual Competitions be played, and that Mrs Willis carry on the work as Championship Secretary. That a Sub-Committee be appointed to deal with all matters relevant to the County Championship Meeting for the duration of that Meeting, which shall include the Captain and Secretary of the County Association, and the Captain and Hon. Sec. of the Club at which the Meeting is held.”

Winners of the Western Morning News Golf Cup at the ladies meeting at St. Austell - Newquay Club 1925	Western Morning News cup winners at the Ladies Cornwall Golf Union Week at Mullion.

 

This resolution was carried unanimously and a General Meeting of Members of both Association and Union was held in January 1930 to arrange details and mode of procedure. That year the Notice announcing the Championship Meeting being held at Tehidy Park in June included reference to the amalgamation of the two bodies.

In 1928, the Officers were Mrs Prideaux, Hon. Secretary Mrs Ratcliffe and Hon. Treasurer Mrs Ford-Hutchinson with a Committee of Mrs Le Messurier (Newquay), Mrs Jenkins (St Enodoc), Miss Jackson (West Cornwall) Mrs Meares (Mullion), Miss Whyte (Falmouth), Mrs Smith (St Austell), Miss Norman (Royal Cornwall), Miss Evans (Tehidy Park), Mrs Varcoe (Carlyon Bay and Mrs Denis Thynne (Bude). The book containing these details is kept up to date even now!

Winners of the Western Morning News Golf Cup at the ladies meeting at St. Austell - Newquay Club 1925	Gulf at Mullion - Miss Radcliffe, 1st (left) & Miss Basset 2nd for the Cornwall Ladies Handicap Challenge Cup.

Also in 1928, Mrs Ratcliffe wrote to a number of Cornwall worthies, asking if they would like to become Vice-Presidents of the Association and the letters of reply make interesting reading. Some accepted giving a donation of a half guinea, guinea or cheque, others declined saying that either they were unable to “add to my undertakings”, didn’t have the time to spare or not interested. There were several apologies for delay including from the Duchy of Cornwall Office in London advising that the Secretary was absent but the letter would “have his attention on his return to Town shortly”. Lady Vivian, Glynn, Bodmin apologised for delay in reply as she had been away until the Friday and she was out hunting on the Saturday until ‘post time’. She was pleased to accept but uncertain whether she would be able to attend the meeting on 3 October as she would be again out hunting. However, she was duly elected President of the Association but resigned in 1931.

The Minutes show that the amalgamation was “to bring the County Championship into line with other County Championships”. The cash raised from the Honorary Vice-Presidents was used to purchase a Cup and the conditions of play (knock-out tournament under handicap at each club, followed by matches in two divisions, the finalists playing each other for the Cup) were laid down in 1928 which continue to this day. The Association now has 32 Clubs affiliated and some Members from most of these play in the competitions throughout the season. The Committee still consists of Officers and one representative from each club who have three or four meetings during the year to decide on changes to formats of competitions if found necessary and to be kept up to date with any variations on Rules of Golf and Handicapping Systems and any other items that may arise. The Championship is usually held during the Easter school holidays on a seaside course if possible. At the conclusion of this, the current Captain announces her team for the Inter County Matches which are normally in the following month.

There are Spring and Autumn Individual meetings for all divisions as well as Inter Club competitions (Baron Rose Bowl, 36 holes foursomes medal play; Inter Club Handicap Shield, 18 holes medal play; Gammon trophy, scratch match play) and Leagues, all of which are well supported. These competitions, of course, are open to all Lady Members of affiliated Cornish Golf Clubs with some restrictions for those who hold only Associate County membership.