Mapperley Golf Club has existed for over 120 years, long before the urbanisation of the area. The club has grown into a beautiful parkland course, only four miles from the centre of Nottingham. Its rolling fairways present the golfer with an interesting challenge from the tee. The greens, being quick and true, are also a fine test.
Mapperley’s hills ensure that the course is a good test, even for the regulars. When you meet them in the clubhouse, you will find that Mapperley is a relaxed and friendly club, and you will get the best advice from the experienced members. So why not have a go whilst taking in the stunning views of Gedling Country Park, the Trent Valley and all the way over to the Vale of Belvoir.
These views are not just visible from the fairways, but also from the comfortable bar and Fairway View Restaurant.
There is also a well-stocked Pro Shop and Sky Track Performance Studio.
As a members’ club, Mapperley has plenty to offer; weekly competitions all year round, a full social programme, easy course access and free practice facilities.
What is the club’s history?
Founded in the early 1900s, it was originally called St. Andrews Institute Golf Club, taking its name from the church on the corner of Mansfield Road and Mapperley Road, close to The Forest Recreation ground.
According to local Historian Bob Massey, St. Andrews Church had an institute attached. The building was both a church hall and an education centre. At this time very few people could read or write and had very little opportunity to learn. There was no free education available for the majority of the population so church institutes provided classes in reading, writing and other educational activities.
The St. Andrews Institute was unusual, in that it started a golf club on land it had acquired, some distance away in Mapperley Plains, then a rural area. Why or how this came about is uncertain. It was first mentioned in the St. Andrews parish magazine in November 1903, when it was already an established club.
The original nine-hole course was described as tricky. It was designed by Tom Williamson, the professional at the Nottinghamshire Golf Club. Williamson was well known beyond Nottinghamshire. He created a double World Record by being a professional for 54 years from 1896. Remarkably, he played in every Open Championship that was held in the 50 years between 1897 and 1936.
In November 1906 there was a report in the Nottingham Daily Express of a match between Mapperley (St Andrews) and Chilwell Manor that was won by Mapperley. Another match in the same month was against Erewash Valley. In 1909 St. Andrews paid its first subscription of £1 to the Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs.
From around 1924 the Club was taken over by the Y.M.C.A. and became the Morley House Y.M.C.A. Golf Club. Subscriptions were 10s 6d a year with an entrance fee of £2 14s 6d. All was well until 1931 when it was reported that members wished to play golf on Sundays in order to compete against other clubs. Under Y.M.C.A. rules this was not allowed, so in 1932 a separate club was formed called the Mapperley Golf Club. This new club was run by a head-teacher, an art dealer, a merchant tailor and four businessmen.
At this time much of Mapperley was still very rural. Fences were required around the greens to keep off the cattle that grazed on the course. The club badge was designed with that in mind. If your ball landed on a cow pat anywhere on the golf course you were entitled to a free drop!
Modern Mapperley
In 1983, a new eighteen-hole course was opened by Neil MacFarlane MP, Minister for Sport.
The course was designed by John Mason, the golf professional at the former Carlton Forum Golf Range which was on the site now occupied by the Richard Herrod Centre.
Since that time, there has been a continual investment programme, involving improvements to both the Clubhouse and the Golf Course. The club celebrated its Centenary in 2007.
Mapperley is fortunate to have such a prestigious golf club that has survived the various developments in the area.
Give them a visit sometime. You may even be inspired to give golf a go. They have an active and successful ladies section too.
Mapperley Golf Club is at Central Avenue, off Plains Road, Mapperley, NG3 5LD
tel. 0115 9556672 :secretary@mapperleygolfclub.org
