Alderman Alf Masser and A. G. (Bert) Baker, the then golf correspondent at the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper, campaigned long and hard for the introduction of municipal golf in Leeds.
Consequently, the first golf course at Temple Newsam, designed by Dr. Alistair Mackenzie (designed Augusta and Alwoodley among others), was opened on 20th July 1923. However, Mr. Baker had already gathered interested parties together and in February of that year, a meeting was convened at the Hotel Metropole in Leeds and the Leeds Municipal Golfers Club was born.
Appropriately, A. G. Baker became the first Chairman of the club.
Due to the popularity of the Temple Newsam course, 25,000 rounds were played there during the first 2 years, the second course was opened in 1925. The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Mr. C. G. Gibson, performed the opening ceremony that included both the new course and the present clubhouse (the first changing facilities comprised a wooden hut close to the first tee.)
For further details, including details of how the course narowly missed out on hosting the Ryder Cup, visit the Temple Newsam Golf Club Web site by clicking here