A History of ‘The Ramblers’ at Appleby Golf Club

Origins and Early Days

The tradition of older gentlemen playing golf at Appleby Golf Club dates to the 19th century, shortly after the club’s formation. Despite this longstanding involvement, it was not until 1981 that a formal organisation for elder gentlemen was established. Ernest Arnison was instrumental in this development, bringing together a group of players whom he christened ‘The Ramblers’. The group began by engaging in friendly matches with neighbouring clubs, including Carlisle, Grange over Sands, Penrith, Silloth, and Workington.

Establishment and Growth

In 1983, Ron Heaviside assumed the responsibilities of secretary. He focused on organising and encouraging new members to join the burgeoning group. Membership was limited to men over the age of 60, and an annual fee of £2 was introduced. To ensure fairness, a handicapping system tailored for older golfers was devised. Members regularly played on Tuesdays and Fridays, fostering a relaxed and friendly environment.

Although initially informal, ‘The Ramblers’ quickly developed a welcoming atmosphere centred around camaraderie and a mutual love of golf. Fixtures became a highlight, promoting friendly rivalry and sportsmanship. The social aspect of gatherings was equally significant, helping members forge enduring friendships and a strong sense of community.

In 1983, the group introduced its first Seniors Open, an individual competition, marking a significant milestone in the development of ‘The Ramblers’. The following year, in 1984, a Christmas competition was established. This festive event quickly became a much-anticipated fixture in the calendar, bringing members together to celebrate the season.

Expansion and Formalisation

From its modest beginnings, ‘The Ramblers’ steadily grew in both membership and activities. The group’s increasing prominence was reflected in the donation of several trophies, including the Nat Cup, the Gilf Pearson Trophy, the Ramblers Vase, and the Autumn Shield. An honours board, provided by Harley Roberts, celebrated members’ achievements and enhanced the sense of prestige attached to the group.

While eligibility was originally restricted to men over 60, this requirement was later reduced to 55, allowing more senior golfers to join and contribute to the club’s lively spirit.

In 1988, the group’s financial arrangements became more formal with the appointment of Jack Simpson as the first treasurer. He established a dedicated fund to support emergencies and other essential needs, ensuring financial stability for the group. Previously, Ron Heaviside had managed financial matters and laid the foundation for future financial stewardship.

Continued Development

By 1994, membership numbers were on the rise, with over 70 members and a continued annual fee of £2. Although meetings had taken place, official notes or minutes were not kept until the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 22 November 1994. At this meeting, outgoing secretary Ron Heaviside reported on the group’s progress since its inception, outlining developments in organisation, the handicapping system, subscriptions, trophies, team matches, and competitions. Maurice Hardy-Bishop was elected as secretary, Jack Simpson as treasurer. Several changes were agreed upon, including a new format for the Seniors Open – to be a 4 ball better ball competition rather than singles – with prizes for the top four places. The eligibility criteria for membership were revised to men aged 60 and over, or those aged 55 and retired.

At the 1999 AGM, John Denwood became secretary with Brian Denison as assistant secretary. Jack Simpson continued as treasurer. It was agreed to launch a ‘3 clubs and putter’ competition, and, in response to increasing popularity, team matches were expanded to 16 players per side. In addition, a trophy in memory of the founding secretary, Ron Heaviside, was established and began to be played for within the group.

21st Century Growth and Development

As the Ramblers entered the 21st century, the group maintained its familiar routines and traditions. The leadership remained consistent, with John Denwood, Brian Denison, and Jack Simpson continuing to oversee the activities of the senior members at Appleby Golf Club. Their stewardship was marked by efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that the club’s affairs ran smoothly for its members.

There was little need for change during this period. Competitions and matches were regularly organised and played, followed by convivial gatherings in the clubhouse where members enjoyed relaxed conversation and their chosen refreshments. The spirit of camaraderie and sociability continued to define the Ramblers’ experience.

While most competition formats remained unchanged, a notable addition was introduced for Fridays: The Eclectic competition. This proved popular, even earning a humorous nickname— ‘Ecelectic’—from one former member, Mike Bell, who playfully exaggerated its pronunciation.

Unfortunately, health concerns—a common challenge among the Ramblers—led to changes in club administration. In 2005, Jack Simpson stepped down as treasurer due to ill health and was succeeded by Brian Fawcett, who served until 2007. David Hirst then took over the role. Changes also occurred in the secretarial position: Cecil Metcalfe succeeded John Denwood as secretary in 2012, but after a brief tenure, resigned in 2014. Brian Moncaster was then elected secretary, continuing the tradition of dedicated service among the Ramblers’ leadership.

Club Fixtures and Changes Over Time

Over the years, the Ramblers’ fixtures against other clubs have undergone significant changes. The original matches, against Carlisle, Workington, and Silloth, were gradually discontinued. By 2012, the list of opposing clubs had evolved to include Barnard Castle, Brampton, Carus Green, Kendal, Keswick, Kirkby Lonsdale, and Windermere, reflecting the group’s adaptability and expanding connections within the golfing community.

The Senior’s Open was first introduced in 1983, quickly establishing itself as a key event within the club’s calendar. Originally, the competition adopted an individual format, however, a significant change was implemented in 1994 when it changed to four-ball better ball, which reflected the evolving preferences and needs of the participants. From its inception, the Senior’s Open garnered considerable interest, attracting entrants from golf clubs across the north of England. This widespread appeal contributed to the event’s growing stature and popularity within the regional golfing community.

In the initial stages, the organisation and management of the Senior’s Open were the responsibility of the Ramblers secretary. This arrangement worked well while the event remained relatively modest in scale. However, as the competition gained in prestige and attracted ever-increasing numbers of entrants—often surpassing 200 participants—it became clear that a more systematic approach was required to ensure its smooth running.

With the event’s expansion, the financial aspects and logistics became significantly more complex. Some funds were retained for the benefit of the Ramblers, and prizes were awarded to competitors finishing as high as tenth place. Notably, during this period, there was no financial donation made directly to the club from the proceeds of the Senior’s Open. The scale of the undertaking, particularly in handling a large number of entries and managing the accompanying financial arrangements, necessitated dedicated oversight and more formalised processes.

To ensure its continued success, several committed Ramblers took on the role of organiser over the years. Notable among them are Brian Denison, Cecil Metcalfe, John Burrows, Barrie Littlefair, Colin Marston, and, currently, Trevor Ewbank. Their efforts have built upon the strong foundations laid by their predecessors, maintaining the event’s reputation and ensuring its smooth operation for participants and the club alike.

Competition Levy and Financial Arrangements

In 2013, a competition levy of 50 pence was introduced, with the proposer stating that it was intended to assist the club financially. This levy became a topic of discussion at subsequent Rambler Annual General Meetings, with several proposals raised to discontinue the donation. Eventually, in 2024, a compromise was reached, and the levy was withdrawn. The Seniors Open, which regularly generated a substantial surplus, contributed a large proportion of these funds to club projects. In return for ending the 50 pence levy, the club received all income from the event, while the Ramblers retained the 50 pence amounts. This solution was agreed upon by all parties, ensuring continued support for club initiatives.

Annual Christmas Lunch Tradition

The annual Christmas lunch remains a vibrant and popular fixture. The first gatherings were held, not at the clubhouse, but at the home of Ron and Nancy Heaviside, who also provided overnight accommodation for some! As the popularity grew it was decided to move the event to the clubhouse. The tradition involves playing a three club and putter competition before the lunch, after which members, along with their wives or partners, gather for a shared meal. The event has, in the past, featured entertainment and a raffle, which helped boost the Rambler funds. Attendance at these lunches has always been high, possibly due to the incentive of a complimentary lunch for Ramblers who participated in 14 or more competitions throughout the year. As costs have increased, the qualifying number of competitions or team matches required for a free lunch has also risen, reaching 25 for the 2026 season.

Leadership Developments and Challenging Times

At the 2017 Annual General Meeting, Nick Fleetham succeeded David Hirst as treasurer. Thereafter, Nick and Brian Moncaster worked closely together, managing the group’s affairs and ensuring the smooth running of the Ramblers’ activities.

The year 2020 presented significant challenges for everyone, with the COVID pandemic disrupting regular activities. Although play was able to resume once restrictions were lifted, a range of special measures were introduced to safeguard both players and club staff. As a result of these exceptional circumstances, there was no Annual General Meeting or Christmas lunch that year. Nevertheless, efforts were made to ensure all members were kept fully informed with relevant updates throughout this period.

Another major development in 2020 was the conclusion of the Rambler Handicap system, which had been a fixture, in various forms, since 1983. With the introduction of the World Handicapping System scheduled for November, it was agreed—following a Rambler member vote—that all competition play would henceforth be based on each player’s club handicap, marking the end of a long-standing tradition.

By 2021, further modernisation was undertaken under the guidance of Nick Fleetham, who transformed the group’s financial processes. The previous system of handling cash and banking was replaced with Appleby Golf Club’s in house card system, enabling all competition entry fees and winners’ payments to be processed through members’ cards. Alongside this change, annual membership fees were increased to £5. This new fee structure included entry into several competitions, removing the need for separate payments for each event as had previously been required. At this time, the number of registered Rambler members stood at 125.

The 2023 AGM marked another period of transition in Rambler management. Both Brian Moncaster and Nick Fleetham stepped down from their respective roles, with Phil Wood assuming the position of secretary, Bill Pettigrew taking over as treasurer, and Jeff Forster becoming team organiser—a responsibility previously managed by Brian. Phil and Bill continued in their posts until the 2025 AGM, at which point it was decided to distribute the workload more evenly by establishing a Rambler Management Team.

Growth in Rambler Membership , Competitions and Team Matches

Over the years, there has been a steady rise in the number of Ramblers participating in competitions. This growth has been matched by an increase in the number of trophies available to compete for; in 2014, there were eight trophies, and by 2024, this number had doubled. Among these, one trophy is dedicated to charity, a tradition that began in 2017 when the proceeds from the competition supported Prostate Cancer initiatives. In the following year, the Alan Graham Trophy was introduced, generously donated by Alan’s widow, with all funds raised being directed to the British Heart Foundation. Each year, the prizes for these competitions are provided from Rambler funds, and the entire proceeds from the day are donated to a different charity, ensuring ongoing support for various good causes.

Team matches have also experienced notable growth. In recent years, fixtures against Morecambe, Sedbergh, and Richmond have been added to the calendar. Additionally, eight-man team invitation events have been organised at both Penrith and Barnard Castle. By 2024, the schedule featured an impressive total of 23 matches. Complementing these external fixtures, two highly anticipated internal club matches are held with the Ladies Section each year, taking place in both the spring and autumn and always proving most enjoyable.

Current Membership and Club Spirit

At present, there are 130 registered Rambler members, collectively playing around 3,500 rounds of golf annually. The essence of the group remains unchanged: members continue to play golf on Tuesday’s and Friday’s, enjoy the camaraderie—most of the time—and savour the unique sociability and vibrant atmosphere provided by the clubhouse. When Ernest Arnison arranged matches against five clubs and officially founded the Ramblers in 1981, he likely sensed this same spirit, though perhaps he could never have envisaged the remarkable growth and thriving community that exists today

If you are interested in becoming a Rambler at Appleby Golf Club, there are two straightforward ways to get started. You can reach out to the Rambler Management Team by sending an email to applebyramblers@gmail.com. Alternatively, you may speak directly with our club manager, Jo, who will be happy to provide more information and guide you through the joining process.

BM

Dec 2025.