About us

History

In 1987, several British members of the US Golf Collectors' Society (GCS) gathered to consider the possibility of a British Golf Collectors' Society. It was felt that within the UK there were sufficient people interested in golf collecting to warrant the foundation of a society in this country. So, on the 19th February 1987, Peter Crabtree, Ray Gossage, Tony Hawkins, Tim Smartt and Philip Truett met at The Naval & Military Club in Piccadilly; London, to discuss the formation of this Society.

On 27th March 1987, a letter was sent to about 100 members of the GCS resident in the UK inviting them to be founder members of The British Golf Collectors' Society (BGCS). The aims of the Society were to be similar to those of the GCS, namely, `to introduce golf collectors to one another, to encourage them to meet to correspond and to disseminate news and information about our hobby through a newsletter', The letter went on to say that we would also want to achieve: the publication of a Newsletter; an Annual Dinner on the Wednesday prior to the Open; an Annual Northern and Southern Golf Meeting; smaller gatherings of members from time to time, including taking advantage of the Auction venues and the publication of an Annual Membership Directory.

The first Captain of the Society was Ray Gossage, Hon Secretary David Easbv, Hon Treasurer Tony Hawkins and Editor of the Newsletter (to be called Though The Green), David White. Soon afterwards, Joe Murdoch (co-founder of The GCS in 1970) 'most happily and graciously accepted' an invitation to become the Society's the first Honorary Member. Initial subscription was £5 and membership was open to 'residents of the British Isles and Europe and British citizens resident overseas'.

The first official meeting of the committee was held on the 21st May 1987. By this time Archie Baird had joined the Committee, to represent the interests of those members living north of the border. Ninety founder members had joined the Society. This number had risen to 121 by February 1988 and the accounts a t 31st December 1987 had shown income at £703 and Expenditure of £673. Already requests had been received from America for copies of Through The Green. These overseas subscribers were later welcomed as associate members with full membership rights, other than the right to vote or speak at general /special meetings of the Society.