Quayside Golfing Society

The Newcastle Commercial Exchange in the Guildhall on the Newcastle Quayside was a hub of activity in the early 1900’s. Daily attendance on the floor of the Exchange was essential for colliery representatives, coal exporters, shippers of coal, ship brokers and their owners. Golf was played amongst this group of men and in 1904 Walter Burnett presented the Calcutta Cup for an annual competition amongst members of the Exchange. By 1910 golf was becoming more of a national game and new courses were springing up throughout the country. A number of those who regularly played in the Calcutta Cup competition got together and proposed the formation of a society of Commercial exchange golfers.The Quayside Golfing Society was born and the first Annual Field day was organised. There were no special rules for the society – except that membership was for those who were members or associate members of the Commercial Exchange. This was subsequently widened to include members of their staff. The society was safely launched with no problem about numbers as there were immediate applications from over 100 to join.

In 1998 the Dinner was held for the first time in the Banqueting Hall at Trinity House. Originally named the “Guild of the Blessed Trinity of Newcastle upon Tyne”, they formally came into being on 4th January 1505, securing some land, previously known as Dalton’s Place, in Broad Chare on Newcastle’s Quayside. The Banqueting Hall is arguably the most popular room in the House. Originally known as the “Great Hall” or “Dining Hall”, it was constructed in 1721 and possibly replaced a previous refectory building. It will comfortably seat sixty-four for a meal.

The dinner is now limited to “Members Only” and since 1998 the average attendance has been 60. The venue and surroundings provide a superb background for the evening, the trophies, and their presentation.