In 1895 at an Extraordinary General meeting of Doncaster Golf Club a decision was made to move from its site at Greenhouses (now the Cumberland Hotel) near the Royal Infirmary to an area of land known as Race Common. The first golfers splayed in their red coats were attended by caddies carrying hickory shafted clubs and a supply of gutty balls, this primitive nine hole course was carved out of rough heathland by horse drawn cutting machines. Golf in those early days was the preserve of the well- to- do; we have progressed since then; nowadays it is played by ordinary folk- and long may that continue!
Without delay, the assistance of George Lambert (the professional at Wakefield GC) was sought and within a fortnight a 9 hole course had been laid out. The natural terrain was used to provide obstacles more sophisticated hazards, such as bunkers, were put in later as required.

A notice in the public press drew the public’s attention

the fine new links of the club on the Race Common were now open for play

The game prospered and at the AGM of Doncaster Golf Club on the 6th January 1896, it was reported that membership had risen to 50.

On 27th March the first recorded golf match took place on the Race Common against Barnsley GC. Contested by two teams of six players, Barnsley won 3 matches, Doncaster 2, with one halved.

In 1907, the attention of the Doncaster Golf Club was drawn to a tract of land near Rossington Bridge (known as the warren) the Doncaster Golf Club company was formed for the purpose of renting the site from the Jarratt Estate with the intention of building an 18 hole golf course.

This plan did not have the approval of all the existing membership as the prospect of travelling three miles to play golf without some form of transport was deemed to be too far. The motor car was a very expensive luxury Henry Fords mass production of the Model T was two years away.

Despite the opposition the proposal was passed and the new golf company was formed. As work on the new course proceeded it was possible for members to play nine holes on each course, but it became apparent that it was not going to be financially viable to maintain the two sites. As the council were not interested in adopting the nine holes on the Race Common as a municipal course a meeting was called and the report in the Doncaster Chronicle for 3rd March 1911 reads:

 

 

 

Town Moor Golf Club

 

 

At a largely attended meeting on Wednesday night,(1st March) of ladies and gentlemen, interested in the upkeep of the Old Golf Links on the Race Common, a new club was inaugurated under the above title. The subscription proposed is one guinea for gentlemen and 15s for ladies. Dr Langley of Thorne Road was appointed as hon. Secretary.
The newly formed Town Moor Club took over the links on the Race Common however during the war years the course was used by the military and the golf club lapsed. The club was revived in 1921 after the war.

Present members of Town Moor owe a great deal of debt to this handful of dedicated golfers who so successfully revived the club, that in the Gazette the following year (1922) it is reported that 120 attended a dance at the Lyceum Cafe

 

 

 

Neatherd’s House

 

In 1932 it was reported that Town Moor Golf Club had taken over the tenancy of Neatherds Cottage, close to the race course and that this would be the club house in future. The locker room was situated upstairs and a new bar and kitchen was fitted.

Passion ran high in 1988 when on the 1st May the council gave the club notice to quit Neatherds house. Town Moor was now enduring another bleak moment in its history. However the Directors of Doncaster Rovers Football Club threw the club a lifeline with an offer of tenancy of their social club, which is still the home of Town Moor Golf Club. The demolition of the 135 year old Neatherds house commenced on the 3rd May 1988

 

 

World War Two

 

 

During world war II, the younger members of the club were called up for military service or employed in reserve occupation in the coal and railway industries. Golf was kept alive on Town Moor largely due to the dedication of older members.

 

 

 

 

Post War Recovery

 

In 1950 the subscription was £2 10s (£2.50) and it rose to £3 in 1954, by 1960 it was six guineas. The green fee for a round of golf cost 2 shilling (10p) in 1948 and in 1961 it had risen to 3 shilling and sixpence (17 ½ p).
The course progressed from 9 holes to 10 and then to 12 before it became a full 18 holes in 1965.

There have been several occasions in the last one hundred years when it seemed that golf on Town Moor would disappear forever. But golfers are a hardy breed, they are not easily deterred and each time, through the efforts of dedicated people, the club has risen like Phoenix from the ashes. In recent times this resolve has also been tested by outside influences, the spirit of the Town Moor Golfers is as remarkable to-day as it was those many years ago, long may this continue.