history

The Society of Derbyshire Golf Captains was formed on 10th February 1966 following a meeting held at Allestree Park Golf Club (Derby).

Those present were Albert Goodsell (Chesterfield), Cyril Ibbotson (Mickleover), Alfred Jones (Allestree Park), Don MacFarlane (Mickleover) and Frank Rodgers (Chevin). These five people became the founder members of the Society.

At the inaugural meeting it was decided that Sidney Cartwright, a Past President of the English Golf Union, was to be invited to be President, Cyril Ibbotson would be the first Captain, and Don MacFarlane agreed to be Honorary Secretary.

The inaugural competition was held at Burton on Trent Golf Club on Thursday 26th May 1966. Sidney Cartwright (President) agreed to donate a salver, to be known as the Sidney Cartwright Salver. The first winner of the Salver was Cyril Ibbotson. A second competition was organised for the autumn and members played for the Founders Trophy. As the name suggests it was donated by the founders of the Society. Both these trophies are competed for to this day and to have ones name engraved on one or other of these trophies is a cherished ambition amongst members.

In 1966 the Duke of Devonshire agreed to be Patron of the society, he continued to fill this role until his death in 2004. Sir Richard FitzHerbert Bt. kindly agreed to fill the vacant Office of Patron. The Society is delighted that he has become our Patron and we always look forward to his attendance at our Annual Dinners.

The first Annual Dinner of the Society was held on Friday January 27th 1967 at the Mackworth Hotel Derby. The cost was 35/- (£1.75).

The Dinner was held annually at the Mackworth until 1973, then at the Pennine Hotel Derby until 1982, except for one year at the Palm Court Restaurant, Allestree. For the next eight years the venue was the Swallow Hotel Alfreton before returning to Derby and the Midland Hotel. By the Millennium attendees had increased from an original 30 to over 200 and it was necessary to find bigger premises. Pride Park, the home of Derby County football club, has hosted the event and most recently the Dinner has been held at Chesterfield Football Club.

At the end of 1966 the Society had enrolled some 84 members by the end of 2022 the numbers had risen to 476.

The Society organises competitions and functions, and the calendar of events now includes matches against ten other Captains Societies, the Derbyshire Lady Captains plus six in house individual and team competitions.

As the Society is now into its sixth decade it strives to maintain and uphold the traditions, integrity, rules and honour of the game not only within its membership but to help other golfers attain those same values.