The society was originally formed by a dozen or so workers in the PED (Process Engineering Department) of ICL at West Avenue in Kidsgrove in October 1989, and was called the PED golf society
The first ever match was played at Goldenhill in Oct 1989 with six matches being played during the first season also including Malkins Banks and Keele also joining the roster of courses soon afterwards.
During this initial time Nick Smith managed everything including fixtures, results, event organisation and co-ordination, handicaps etc.
By October 1991 the societies numbers had risen substantially, and number of events increased also, at this time it was clear that a committee would be needed to help run the society in a more official capacity.
As the membership was also no longer restricted to PED but the other ICL departments and friends outside ICL, that a new name for the society would be needed.
It was then decided to call it the ‘Linley Wood’ Golf Society, as Linley Wood backed onto the ICL Kidsgrove site, and it was felt this would still tie the society to it heritage of ICL despite its changing membership.
In 1994/95 season the society had grown to have approximately 64 members with an average attendance of 30+ people per event.
The original founding members of PED GS were:
Nick Smith
Cliff Mottram
Phil Ball
Bernard Culshaw
Mick Bagnall
Neil Staley
Gordon Lucus
Dave Myatt
Brian Burn
Paul Copeland
Bob Edge
John McDonald
We give thanks these and all the people who have helped start, run and maintain the society since its formation in 1989.
The society via its past and current members have helped shape and mold the society into one that is a friendly and welcoming place to play golf , and embody the spirit of our moto (stated in the constitution):
“To improve the standard of golf, through the enjoyment of competition”
COLIN HOWLE MEMORIAL TROPHY
In 1995 quite a number of golfers had joined LWGS from the Night Shift on the shop floor, the manager at the time was called John Howle.
His brother was Colin Howle.
He had died about 12 months prior , and John bought us a new trophy out of his own pocket, naming it after his brother hence the Colin Howle memorial trophy.
In 2025 this trophy was ‘retired’ and replaced with the ‘Founders Trophy’ to honour the societies founders