Antique Golf Clubs from Scotland: Clubmakers

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Clubmakers

Edmund Williamson jr
Matlock/Leeds/Nottingham
Edmund Williamson jr was born in 1899 in Basford in Nottinghamshire where his father, Edmund, later to be a golf professional himself, was stationmaster at Bulwell Forest.

I imagine he had some training from older brother, Tom, formal or informal, as it would have been quite daunting to become a professional at 17. A new golf club was proposed for Beeston and Chilwell in Nottingham in 1906 and 15 acres of land leased from Chilwell Manor farm for 15 years. A 9-hole course was laid out by Tom Williamson and Edmund was appointed professional and greenkeeper.

When his father retured from Matlock in 1908 he became professional there. It seems he stayed until 1910 as he was playing in qualifying in the Midlands section for the Ł240 Tournament from Matlock that year but the professionals there in 1911 were Jim Slack and Charles Clarke. He was back in Nottingham that year, staying with his brother-in-law, William Terry, at Repton Road in Bulwell and playing in the Midland tournament as pro at Rushcliffe.

He spent some time as assistant to his other brother, Hugh,at Parkstone then was appointed professional at the new Alister Mackenzie designed (but not yet completed) Garforth course in Leeds. He played in a foursome with his brother Tom on 18 July 1914 to celebrate the opening after Tom had defeated in a morning match. The First World War intervened and Edmund was away on military service but, as was customary, his position was held open and he returned in 1919. One of the first events he played in was a contest at Nottingham, devised by Tom which continued after his death, in which the professionals who began their career at Hollinwell played the best local amateurs.

His departure from Garforth was announced in September 1925. The city of Nottingham had decided to build a third municipal course, acquiring land at Wollaton Park. Tom Williamson had been chosen to design it. Edmund was to help with the design and layout then become the first professional at the new course. It opened on 5 May 1927 and Edmund Williamson continued as professional until his retirement in March 1961 with, for much of the time, his son Bert as assistant.

Edmund died in Radcliffe on Trent on 21 July 1973.

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