28


THE MIDDLE PERIOD PLATE 18


The American Armed Forces Golf Team visiting Long Ashton in 1943.


lessons at Long Ashton) were asked to find a suitable young Professional for the Club. Ernest Whitcombe introduced Arthur Vine and they played an exhibition match on the 7th April 1946, aſter he had been appointed. Mr Vine stayed for only two years (see Chapter 10). In the immediate post-war period major problems for the Club were petrol


rationing and a shortage of whisky! Te Minutes do not make it clear which was the more important! Te former made it difficult for members to travel to Long Ashton and in consequence many resigned. Te Committee offered a reduced subscription and tried to run a taxi service without success. Te whisky and gin shortage was equally serious, only 1 ½ bottles of each was available on Saturdays and Sundays with a ½ bottle on Tursdays. Times were hard, but “grey” Whisky was available at 2s.6d a tot. “Quota whisky was only ls.6d a tot and with these and other problems it is not surprising that in 1948 the total membership had dropped to 214. Our fourth President, the Hon Mrs Esme Smythe, died in 1948 and the


Ashton Court Estate including the Golf Club was put up for sale. A special meeting of members was held on 13th November to consider purchasing the Course and it was agreed that an offer of up to £4,000 should be made. Tree Directors and three members were appointed to a sub-committee to examine how this purchase should be financed. However, the figure of £4,000 was quickly passed at the auction and the course was eventually bought for almost £5,000 by Mr George Weeks (a prominent member of the Club Committee) who thus became the Club’s landlord (see Chapter 4, page 43, Long Ashton Golf Club Limited). A committee to select a new Professional identified an excellent determined golfer of good character. As a result, W.D. (Wally) Smithers from Sunningdale


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