First-time visitors to Cardigan Golf Club in Wales are easily recognizable.
They’re usually the ones constantly taking photographs of the views from this stunning course perched high above the shores of Cardigan Bay on the Teifi Estuary.
The course commands fantastic views not only of Cardigan Bay but also the distant Preseli Hills, the Lleyn Peninsula and the legendary Bardsey Island or the ‘Island of 20,000 saints’ lying just two miles off the coast.
Brief Club History
Golf was first played in Cardigan in 1895 when a nine-hole course, named The Cardigan and Tivyside Golf Club, was formed by the local gentry. The course established between Nant-y-Ferwig Bridge and Gwbert, was described as a ‘sporting one’ an ‘excellent Links where bunkers abound’.
The annual subscription for elected members was 1 guinea for gentlemen and half a guinea for ladies. For those driving the two miles from Cardigan, stabling accommodation was provided.
However within three years, play over the links had reduced to practically nil and the club was no more.
A group of local businessmen, the Gwbert Syndicate, had been formed with the intention to create and develop a seaside resort a Gwbert. They were determined that a course should be established on the links at Gwbert-on-Sea.
In 1902 a nine hole course, the Gwbert Golf Links, was opened by the Mayor of Cardigan, Mr Arthur Clougher.
But once again, the links were again being under-utilised.
So in 1905 a group of ‘gentlemen interested in the formation of a new Golf Links at Gwbert-on-Sea’ requested a survey of the land with the objective of securing a first class nine or eighteen hole golf course.
A Mr Day, former Welsh Champion in 1903 and Professional at Penally Links (Tenby), marked out the positions of greens and tees. The course, which was at first to be nine holes, was laid out both sides of the road that runs along the cliff top.
In a 1923 club meeting it was resolved that once again a Golf Club would formed on the old links at Gwbert-on-Sea and it would be called Cardigan Golf Club.
The Club enjoyed a period of stability and expansion from 1923 to 1927, with many local businessmen and an increasing number of Cardigan ladies frequenting the Cliff Hotel Links on Wednesday afternoons and Saturdays. During the summer months, the links were crowded as members enjoyed the long nights.
However in November 1927, Cardigan Golf Club took the momentous decision to sever connections with the Cliff Hotel and obtain a course of their own. The Club had for some time desired their own facilities and suitable land had become available between Waungelod and Towyn.
Mr. Grant, the Tenby Professional, was hired to report on the desirability of the proposed site for the new nine hole course:
“The ground I was shown over, between Waungelod and Towyn was by far the best of the lot and could be made into a first class course. The site is ideal, the views lovely, and the sandy nature of the ground ensures good drainage all the year round.
The turf there is very good…There are plenty of natural features to be taken advantage of: and a course of 6000 yards made in real sporting country.”
Under the supervision of Mr Grant, work commenced immediately and the following year a pavilion was built with an area for the Ladies and a locker room. By 1929 play was underway and competitions were being played.
With Club doing well and the popularity of the game on the increase, came the outbreak of the Second World War.
Although the Club remained open, a great many members were called up. A request was granted to plough up 18 acres of the Club’s land for the production of food. Thanks to senior members, the links remained playable throughout the war and this time, at the end of hostiilites the Club was able to re-restart where it had left off in 1939.
In 1969 the Club purchased the freehold to the land and was at last able to extend the course. A golf architect, Martin Hawtrey (Designer of Trump International Scotland), was employed to draw up the new layout so that a first class 18 holes would be available.
The Course
Cardigan Golf Club measures 6,455 yards off the back tees and plays to a par 72.
There is the standard mixture of four pars fives with the longest the ninth along with four pars, and the longest being the 454-yard 11th hole and eight yards longer than the Number One index hole, the par four 14th.
The course is a superb mix of links style and parkland and given its lofty position the biggest challenge will always be the wind.
The Clubhouse
I always make the point when walking into any clubhouse for a first time to take a good look around and this is very much the case at Cardigan Golf Club as there is a wealth of history and information to be gleaned.
Above the bar you will notice a few putters including a Phillip Price Odyssey 2Ball putter donated to the club by the former Ryder Cup star.
There is also three other putters donated by Scottish ladies legend, Jessie Valentine and Welsh Hall of Fame star, Brian Huggett who competed in six Ryder Cups sides.
As well, there is a Harry Vardon putter presented to the club in 1964.
The course record is a six under par 66 set in 2008 by Steven Rees who, off a handicap of two, pared the first four holes and was then four under from the fifth to 14th holes before birdies at the closing two holes.
Thanks so much to Cardigan Golf Club and Welsh Tourism for the experience of ‘trying on’ such a fitting golf experience.
* Click on photographs to open and further click to enlarge.
