In the summer of 1987, Steve Watson then vice-captain at Woodvale Wanderers F.C. of the Croydon Sunday League formed the Woodvale Golf Society. During the eighties, golf had always played a part in the close season for many players. A society had been discussed for a couple of years but never got off the ground. The Inaugural event totalled just nine people though this was probably over 60% of the football club. There were no guests and it was just a closed shop of current players. It was decided to hold the event prior to the start of the season, so September was chosen as the right time of year. As the bulk of players lived in the Selsdon/Addington/New Addington area, Addington Palace was selected as the venue. For the first and only time the event was two rounds of Stableford. Neil Moir, previously team and club captain for ten years was the winner on what turned out to be a very hot day.

After this initial success, other players both past and current were interested in a second event. To coincide with the end of the football season, May was chosen for the next event which was held at Lullingstone Park. Robin Dyson was the winner that day, not only of the morning stableford but also in the team that won the afternoon Texas Scramble. This has become the regular afternoon competition as most players prefered a more leisurely game in the afternoon as they struggled to complete 36 holes. Coulsdon Court was the venue for the third golf day and players put in a lot of rounds in the summer before the September's competetions. Scores were prolific and Richard Frampton won the main event on 47 pts though only by a point.

The Society boosted in numbers, some 30 played at Mitcham in 1989 and 33 at Edenbridge in 1990. The Footballer contingent remained steady but guests and non-footballing members were on the increase. It was at Edenbridge that John Fish became the first non-Woodvale Wanderers FC player to win the Stableford. During the next three or four years, a nucleus of about 15 kept the Society going though most events attracted about 19 or 20 golfers. By September 1995 only 17 played at the superb Mannings Heath despite a number of new members there was a fall in the number of footballers.

Steve Watson was also secretary of another Society H.S.S.G.S., and disbanded this society towards the end of 1995. It was effectively a merger however, and a number of ex-HSSGS members joined Woodvale GS for the start of the 1996 season. That July the first Summer event was staged having borrowed two ideas from the Hill Samuel days. These new competitions were a two-round stableford eclectic (always the most popular event at HSSGS) and a medal competition (to sort the men out from the boys). The first summer trip was played at the Isle of Purbeck and Canford Magna with two nights stay at a b&b in Poole. To celebrate the Society's 10th anniversary the Summer event was staged at Ansty followed by two rounds and overnight stay at the Belfry. To mark the tenth anniversary, a Society Tie was designed and given to all members. This is dark blue and yellow and reminiscent of the club colours of the early 1980's. In 1998 the season extended to four events with a Winter meeting held at Purley Downs, the home course of both Secretary and assistant Al Nawrocki.

One other event to mention is the Matchplay Shield played over the Summer months. Starting in 1989, this event has normally attracted a field of sixteen. Gary Pitt was the first and has been the most consistent winner of this competition with five wins.

© Woodvale Golf Society - February 2000