SPORT ANCIENT AND MODERN 



GOLF 



The soil and the natural configuration of the 

 land in Sussex lend themselves perhaps more 

 favourably to the game than is the case with 

 any other southern county. The chalky soil, 

 the rich downland, the fine close turf, the 

 swelling undulations of the ground, and the 

 large areas of heath are just those natural 

 features which the golfer seeks. Hence it is 

 that golf has taken a very firm hold in Sussex. 

 At the present time there are between thirty 

 and forty clubs established, and new ones are 

 being projected. The number of seaside courses 

 in Sussex, however, is relatively small in com- 

 parison with the extent and variety of its coast- 

 line. One of the most beautiful is that of the 

 Littlehampton Club, which was instituted in 

 March, 1889, by Messrs. A. J. Constable, 

 H. E. Harris, Upperton Lear, R. A. Blagden, 

 J. Horn, and J. Osborne. The number of 

 playing members is 250, and there are 26 

 lady members. The links are half a mile from 

 the Littlehampton railway station, and the eigh- 

 teen holes of which it consists are laid out at the 

 mouth of the River Arun, on the old Delta 

 of the river, and along the sand hills bounding 

 the sea. The holes vary in length from 135 to 

 500 yards, and the soil is sandy and composed 

 partly of old river beds. The natural bunkers 

 consist of water, ditches, sand hills, rushes, 

 whins, cart tracks, and gravel pits, and though 

 the general lie of the course is somewhat flat, 

 each hole has some characteristic feature to 

 punish loose or bad play. James Beveridge, 

 professional at Bembridge, laid out the original 

 nine-hole course, which was extended later to 

 eighteen holes. In October, 1899, the late 

 Tom Dunn was consulted as to the possibility 

 of utilizing some fresh ground, and he planned 

 the course practically as it exists to-day. 

 Owing to the character of the soil play is 

 practicable all the year round, though the best 

 golf is obtained in the winter, spring, and 

 autumn months. Sunday play is allowed, but 

 the club house is not open. 



The Royal Ashdown Forest Club, instituted 

 in 1889, has a membership of 427. The links 

 are situated i mile from Forest Row, 3^ miles 

 from East Grinstead, and 12 miles from Tun- 

 bridge Wells. The course of eighteen holes, 

 varying in length from 120 to 400 yards, is one 

 of the most charmingly situated inland courses 

 in the country. The holes are laid out over 

 undulating ground situated about 400 ft. above 

 sea level, in one of the most beautiful districts of 

 Sussex. The soil is light, is never heavy even 

 after prolonged rain, and the lies are in every 

 respect excellent. The course abounds in natural 

 hazards, which consist of brooks, disused sand 



pits, and heathery hillocks. The turf has all the 

 fine texture of superior downland, and one of 

 the characteristic features of the golf here is the 

 rich variety of lie and sporting situation to test 

 the skill of the player. There is no monotony 

 about any of the holes. By the general con- 

 census of opinion from far and near the ' Island ' 

 hole is one of the very best short holes on any 

 course. It has the distinction of having been 

 selected by an old golfer, impressed with its 

 natural charms and playing difficulties, for en- 

 dowment with a capital sum of 5, the 

 accumulated interest of the money to become 

 the property of the player who is fortunate 

 enough to hole out in one stroke at either the 

 Easter, Whitsuntide, or Autumn competition 

 meetings of the club. This endowment scheme 

 has been in force for many years, and the 

 interest still awaits a claimant. J. Rowe is the 

 professional of the club ; Sunday play, without 

 caddies, is allowed. The Ashdown Forest 

 Ladies' Club, organized in 1889, is a branch 

 of the men's club, but the ladies have a separate 

 nine-hole course of their own. The length 

 between the holes varies from 100 to 350 

 yards. The Cantelupe Club has also been 

 organized in the district, but the membership 

 is confined to working men. 



The Battle Club, instituted in 1893, has a 

 course of nine holes beautifully natural in char- 

 acter, and surrounded by very pretty scenery, 

 situated in the Park. The links are about ten 

 minutes' walk from Battle Abbey, and 6 miles 

 from Hastings. The number of members is 

 between forty and fifty. 



The eighteen-hole course of the Bexhill Club, 

 founded in 1890, is finely situated close to the 

 sea, about half a mile distant from Bexhill. Six 

 holes have been laid out on the sea side of the 

 L. B. and S. C. Railway, and twelve holes on 

 the north side of the railway. The course is a 

 very sporting one, and the hazards are a com- 

 bination of artificial and natural bunkers, wherein 

 sand-pits and ditches lend variety to the play. 

 Earl De La Warr, who owns the ground, is pre- 

 sident of the club, and Douglas Rolland, one of 

 the leading professional players before severe illness 

 handicapped him in competitions, is the profes- 

 sional and green-keeper. There is a ladies' 

 club, with ninety-five members, as a branch of 

 the men's club. 



The Crowborough Beacon Club, which was 

 instituted in June, 1895, mainly through the 

 efforts of Mr. G. T. Langridge, Mr. H. H. 

 Goldfinch, J.P., Dr. Mackintosh, Mr. L. Dennis 

 and Dr. Watson Griffin, has now a membership 

 of 360. The course of eighteen holes was 

 originally laid out by Mr. G. T. Langridge, 



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