The History of the York Union of Golf Clubs

The York Union of Golf Clubs was formed in 1931 and consisted of four clubs:

The York Golf Club (formed in 1890)
Fulford Golf Club (formed in 1906)
Heworth Golf Club (formed in 1911)
Hob Moor (formed in 1906, originally as The Knavesmire Golf Club)

Pike Hills Golf Club was formed out of the Hob Moor club and joined the Union in 1946. This was as a result of the Hob Moor course suffering severe damage during the Second World War. It is now a nature reserve. Easingwold Golf Club joined the Union in the early 1960's and there were, at this stage, five member clubs. In 1997 Malton & Norton Golf Club brought the number to six, followed a year later by Kirkbymoorside Golf Club.

The last thirty years or so have seen a number of proprietor owned golf clubs opening in the York area, which has resulted in the York Union growing in number. Forest Park Golf Club was the first of these to join the Union in 2001, followed by Forest of Galtres, The Oaks, Sandburn Hall and Tadcaster (formerly Scarthingwell GC).

The stated objective of the Union is to further the interests of amateur golf and to encourage social contacts amongst members of the affiliated clubs by means of Amateur Championships, competitions and other events organised by the Union.

The Yorkshire Inter-District Unions and the York Union of Golf Clubs

The Yorkshire Inter-District Union is the body to which 8 district unions are affiliated. This encompasses almost 200 golf clubs in Yorkshire.

The objectives of the York Union are: to further the interests of amateur golf; To assist in maintaining a uniform system of handicapping; to arrange an Amateur Championship and other championships and golf meetings; To cooperate with R&A Rules Limited and with the England Golf in all matters relating to amateur golf.

All York Union member clubs are affiliated to the County Union. Club members are eligible to play in County events. Individuals can also join the County Members Association and are then also eligible to play in the Yorkshire County Members Events.

Within the Yorkshire Inter-District Union there are eight District Unions - Bradford, East Riding, Halifax- Huddersfield, Harrogate, Leeds, Sheffield, Teesside and York.

Where as the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs oversees the County Championships the Yorkshire Inter-District Union runs the following competitions:-

A six man team championship of thirty six holes off scratch with 10 of 12 rounds to count. This was initiated in 1973 and York have won this twice, in 1996 and again in 2011.
A junior six boy team championship was formed in 1983 played on the same format as the senior IDU
An Inter District League which was initiated in 1987 and which is a scratch League with twelve players per side. The format is six morning foursomes and twelve afternoon singles. York won last won this in 2007.
An Inter District Junior League of the same format, initiated in 1993.