(Wiki Commons)
A. Tachbrook Road
This was a 9 hole golf course owned by Dennis G Gulliman, with the idea that people could choose to play one round or pay extra to go round twice.
At first it was open just three days a week, but it got so popular that it opened six days a week and then added Sundays (with objections (strong ones) from Leamington Churches.
The clubhouse was built of wood and stood the other side of a small copse; you could see the roof and part of the east side of it from Tachbrook Road; it was roughly opposite the present-day Chip Shop.
The entrance to the Clubhouse and course was up the traders’ entrance, a lane which led to the big house which stood further over the fields.
The Clubhouse was used during World War II as a children’s nursery for female workers working in local factories. The course has been built over by a housing estate. Sayers Court is near where the Clubhouse used to be.
(Openstreetmap.com)
B. Milverton
Dennis G Gulliman established an 18 hole golf course at Milverton at what was then the north end of Guys Cliffe Avenue. Gulliman was also the secretary of the committee of eight people for the club based at this course.
For some time it was a very flourishing club. A professional helped golfers on five days a week and gave lessons. He also ran a ‘pro shop’ with items that golfers might require. G Robinson was the professional in 1938. There was also a greens keeper who looked after the greens for six days a week.
Charges for visitors were
2s 6d per round
3s 6d per day
12s 6d per week
30s per month
The Clubhouse itself was very large and grand inside. There was said to be a ghost in the house; nobody would go down the locker room corridor after dark because of the feeling of a ‘presence’. The clubhouse was demolished and is now the site of Brookhurst Court.
During World War II the clubhouse was used as a base for various groups.
This golf course site is now occupied by a housing estate and includes Brookhurst and Trinity schools.
Tony Gulliman and Terry Gardner
Note. There is an extended article about Dennis G Gulliman in our book entitled ‘Enterprising Leamington’.