The Clubhouse

Historic Evolution

The front parlour of the Crows i'th Wood farmhouse was used as the first clubhouse when the club was incorporated on Saturday 24th August 1901.
Since that time there has been other buildings used as the clubhouse, the first being a cottage adjoining the farm in 1904. In 1907 Mrs. Kaye was persuaded to vacate the cottage next door for suitable compensation and the resulting extension was modified to include ladies and gentlemen's accommodation and a committee room.
Crows i'th Wood Farm was abandoned when the Wood was purchased but it was not until the early 1960's that the farm was demolished. It had been uninhabited for many years and had fallen into disrepair. Some of the farmyard cobbles can be seen to this day on the site of the hamlet which overlooked the old pond green. The old mill dam or pond had been drained in 1966, mainly because of the danger to children who insist on trespassing on the course.

The Wood presently a junior school on the east of Huddersfield Rd. was the next clubhouse when, in 1912 Mr. Leonard Bottomley gave up the lease to Stamford estates, who are the owners of all the land that contains the current golf club. A member at that time was Tom Storrs whose family used to live at the Wood, the new clubhouse had a particularly familiar feel to him as the men's locker room had once been his bedroom.

Shortly after this time, fifty eight members who had been involved with the development of the club, served their country in the Great War, unfortunately ten of them did not return.
The memorial presented to the club by Mr. Harvey and unveiled by the then Captain Mr. J.G. Lowe is displayed in the members bar.

Due to possible development and the loss of land to the south and east of the course containing the then 1st and 18th holes and the 2nd fairway, the club secured the lease for all the Crows i'th Wood land in April 1959. Stamford Golf Club for the first time had control of all its land albeit only enough for a 9 hole course. This resulted in the Wood being too isolated from the course and Mr. George Castle negotiated on behalf of the club with John F. Sykes for the purchase of Oakfield House. The ownership was secured in October 1960 for £3,750 and modifications started to produce a suitable Clubhouse.
Oakfield house was first opened at the end of May 1961 and the door of the Wood closed for the last time on the 31st May, bringing an end to almost half a century's use as a clubhouse.

The official opening of Oakfield House took place on Saturday 2nd September 1961, The event being presided over by the President George Castle who secured an old friend Mr. Bill Shankland as a special guest. Mr. Shankland was a former Warrington and Australian international Rugby League player, who at the time was professional at Potter's Bar, his assistant from 1962 onwards was a young Tony Jacklin.

Members Bar(19th Hole)

After a game of golf the members enjoy relating and reliving the events of the round with their partners and opponents over a drink and sometimes a meal. When a competition is in progress, competitors can revue their performance by watching the leader board in the members bar or watch golf and other sports on the wide screen TV. Gaming machines are available for the over 18's or you can get a school together for a game of cards.
The nineteenth hole is used for presentations immediately after members club competitions and is the scene of one of the longest traditions at Stamford, that of naming the Vice Captain elect at noon every Christmas Day.

Mixed Lounge

The Mixed lounge is available to visitors and is included in the hire of all other facilities.

Members sometimes meet their wives or girlfriends, after their round of golf in the lounge for drinks before dinner or moving on to entertainment elsewhere. Generally this is a quieter room and an escape from the noisy banter emanating from the members bar. When privacy is required during a private function the lounge can be screened from the members bar.

Function Room

The Function room was the main reason for the 1987 extension to the club house. Designed to give the members more room for social activities, presentations and dining facilities, it has since become one of the favourite places for the local community to conduct wedding receptions, birthdays and meetings. It has an en suite toilet, cloakroom and disabled facilies along with a meeting room that is used for management meetings, buffets and a dressing room for entertainers during social events.

The function room has its own entrance direct from the car park and dividing screens to provide three size options. With the dance floor, spot lighting and remote sound capabilities it is an ideal room for functions of up to 150 set as an auditorium, 100 for a formal dinner, 80 using the dance floor and yet can be made comfortable for a small dinner party.

Conservatory

The Conservatory can be hired for a small fee to provide amenable surroundings with beautiful views of the course, for a small meeting, dinner or party.

Dukinfield & Stalybridge Rotary Club have used these facilities on every Tuesday evening for the last five years. The picture shows the most recent meeting which was a Joint Membership Meeting, when their guests were Ashton, Hyde, Glossop and Denton & Audenshaw Rotary Clubs. They wish it to be known that if you are of charitable disposition you would be made most welcome at any of the above Clubs.

Patio

The Patio is available for the use of members and their guests at any time and by visitors hiring any of the other facilities.

The whole Patio area is in process of improvement, soon there will be better protection for smokers. The fountain was added three years ago to commemorate the 100th birthday of Miss Jessie Castle, a former Lady Captain, Lady President and Life Member, the Rabbits added the water feature surrounding it and the whole area is maintained by the Seniors.

Social nights.

Stamford Golf Club members meet regularly about once a month for a social night to chat and to be entertained, as a social member or guest you will be most welcome full details are on the social page.