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LONG ASHTON PROFESSIONALS Ted Jewell apparently had an assistant Professional because the Minutes note
that Mr A. Harris (his assistant) was appointed as Professional to Nailsea Golf Club in 1937. Jewell’s son Peter, was also an assistant and a good golfer (see Plate 16). He was unfortunately “called up” to the forces in 1939, so he was unable to take part in the final of the Daily Mirror Assistants Competition. Ted Jewell worked on the course during the war but when he became unfit in
1942 he was asked to find other employment. No doubt the Club were in financial difficulties at this time, nevertheless members presented him with a testimonial for long and faithful service to the Club.
ARTHUR VINE Arthur Vine was appointed Professional in 1945 on the recommendation of
Ernest Whitcombe, one of the leading Professionals of that era (see Chapter 2, page 27). Vine was quite a young man and only stayed at Long Ashton for two years, he now runs a par 3 course in Essex.
WALTER DOUGLAS SMITHERS Our next Professional, W.D. (Wally) Smithers was appointed in 1948 and
stayed with the Club for nineteen very successful years. Wally was a top Professional, he missed playing in the 1947 Ryder Cup against the United States by only one place which went to Harry Weetman aſter he had won the Matchplay Championship. Wally came to Long Ashton from Sunningdale where he learned his golf as
a caddy and as an assistant Professional. Te Minutes note that he had the ability to mix easily with the nobility and all categories of golfers.” Wally tells the story of how he was playing golf at Royal Berkshire near Ascot with the Prince of Wales (late Duke of Windsor). Apparently aſter the match the Prince of Wales wanted to have tea in the Dining Room, however Professionals were not allowed in the Clubhouse at that time, so the Prince’s request was refused and they had to have tea at Windsor Castle instead. Te story has a fable-like ending because the Royal Berkshire has not been permitted to use the “Royal” prefix since that episode and the Club is now “Te Berkshire”. Wally had several good finishes in the Open while at Long Ashton. He finished
fiſth at Royal St George in 1949 and seventh at Troon in 1950. Plate 52 shows Wally (leſt) with his partner the Irish Walker Cup player Jimmy Bruen aſter they had won the Daily Telegraph Amateur/Professional Open Tournament at Formby in 1950. Locally, Wally won the West of England Professional Championship a record
five times and the Gloucestershire and Somerset Alliance Championship seven times.
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