History of the Club

In the year 1896 The Darwen News thought fit to point out that golf had caught on in Darwen and that the local club now had 86 members, a fair proportion of whom were Scots. These same gentlemen were planning to put up a Scots Cup for competition in the near future. The author continues to say "that possibly many people only see strong men waste hours knocking a small while pillule about". But he continues "let the critic feel the magic grip of the cleek, let him once smite this small white pillule, and his opinion changes, from being one of the more prosaic of games, golf becomes one of the most entrancing".

"The Darwen Links" the paper claims, are the best in this part of the county. There is also a report of the Annual General Meeting, held in the offices of Mr. Broadbent the solicitor. Dr. Gifford was elected Captain and presided over a meeting where it was reported that the club had the sum of one shilling and seven pence in hand as a result of the year's working! "This", The News went on to say, "speaks well for the enthusiasm of the members". "Indeed" it adds, "had this been a football club or a cricket club the Treasurer's smile would have rivalled King Sol's".

Obviously the new game was in Darwen to stay, and the news reporter felt that it might have important social consequences, for he adds "never marry a woman until you have watched her play a round. Be unobstructive as you do so, the lady's character may well be an open book".

Incidentally, the paper reported at the same time that in a tournament for professional players held at Dumbarton in Scotland, prize money of £25 was offered; and that some professionals could earn between £25 and £300 per year. Our leading professionals today should raise a memorial to these pioneers. But let us also remember that values are relative - one report of the time also says that a Darwen woman was sent to gaol for four months for stealing £1 19s. - less than one half of a year's subscription.

The Club was in being and despite periods of trial and tribulation has made excellent progress.

During the years 1920 and 1921 there was much discussion about the future progress and development of the club. The game was appealing to a wider section of the community and so senior members decided it would be advantageous to form a Limited Company to be known as Darwen Golf Club Limited. To this end, eleven of these members signed the necessary applications and these were witnessed by John Herbert Morris (a chartered accountant) who became the first Honorary Secretary of the Company (to be known as the Club).