In the shadow of the M60, there’s a 100-year-long story of Mancunian resilience(Image: Northenden Golf Club)

Just three hours into 2025, Roland Harris had his first headache of the year. A couple of hours later, he was facing disaster.

When the Mersey burst its banks on New Year’s Day, much of south Manchester was devastated, and the council had to evacuate hundreds of people.

One big casualty was Roland’s Northenden Golf Club, surrounded on three sides by the River Mersey. A ‘green oasis’ in the shadow of the M60, it’s played a vital role in Northenden life since 1913, and still proudly sources most of its staff and suppliers from the neighbourhood.

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However, in its 112-year history, the club has had its share of troubles: Not much golf was actually played here for the first five years of its existence, due to the First World War, for starters.

The construction of the M63 in 1969 (later the M60) led to the council buying some of its land, so the course had to close for four years to be reconfigured.

Northenden Golf Club – Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service posted this photo on Twitter(Image: Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service)

And the last decade has been particularly hard on Northenden.

A fire in October 2014 gutted the clubhouse. Its replacement opened nearly two years later, which allowed the club to make more hospitality revenue and go onto bigger and better things.

But by 5am on New Year’s Day, the club was in ruins.

The floods submerged the course, breaching levies near the third and fifth holes. Water surged half-a-mile towards the clubhouse, and the force of the flow ravaged the relatively new building. The water was ‘seven feet’ high inside.

On the course itself, ‘the amount of debris was ridiculous’, recalls member Gary Nolan. Silt, stones, and even a supercar damaged the land. “In two hours, the damage was done,” he explained, gazing over the newly-rebuilt levy.

(Image: Northenden Golf Club)

Even after the Porsche was removed and debris cleared, it took until April for the course to dry out.

“It was three weeks until we could get into the clubhouse,” Roland, one of the club directors, added. “We had to strip back to the brickwork.

“The clubhouse upstairs function suite was untouched, but we could not access it because the water was at ceiling height at the ground floor. We could not allow anyone in for hygiene reasons. We had to ensure everything was properly dealt with.”

(Image: Russell Miller (submitted))

The financial cost is enormous: Roland believes Northenden will lose £250,000 in the two years from the flood.

That’s partly due to the scale of the damage. It’s partly due to the expensive nature of repairs for specialised equipment, like machines used to meticulously care for the ground staff’s pride and joy, best-in-class ‘USGA standard’ putting greens.

It’s also partly due to an exodus of members.

“Because the course could not be played on, we found other courses for our members to play on concessionary rates,” Roland explained. “28 clubs came up with a series of special offers, some for free.

(Image: LDRS)

“There was a degree of altruism there, but they would also see an opportunity to gain members.

“Some of our members thought they would not be sure when our course will come back and maybe they will come back later. I’m sure many of those who left will come back for the next subscription year.

“However, I’m a pragmatist. So I will believe it when I see it.”

Memberships range from roughly £800 to £1,400 annually for adults, and children and students can join cheaper. A charity appeal has helped to raise £20,000, but the club’s target is £50,000.

(Image: LDRS)

While these are not small sums of money and will help Northenden recover, it’s not enough to finish repairs: Changing rooms are still missing lockers, honour boards are yet to be cleaned and re-mounted, and there are photos of famous members past include Manchester United legend Sir Matt Busby and his son, Sandy, once president of the club, in storage.

There are glimmers of hope, though.

The Riverslawn hospitality suite, used for family celebrations like birthdays, weddings, christenings, dances, and wakes, is enjoying its ‘best’ summer so far. Non-members paying visitors’ fees are helping too.

It’s encouragement that after overcoming all those hurdles in 112 years, Northenden Golf Club will be able to overcome its toughest yet.

You can support the club’s charity appeal online here.