Not the hole-in-one they were expecting at Davyhulme Park Golf Club
A groundsman stumbled upon a sinkhole on the golf course, which led to the discovery of a wine cellar (Image: Davyhulme Park Golf Club )
A golf club in Greater Manchester has made an unexpected discovery after a groundsman stumbled upon a sinkhole on the golf course. Deputy head greenkeeper Steve Hopkins was walking past the 13th hole at Davyhulme Park Golf Club in Trafford when he spotted a small sinkhole near the tee.
Steve initially assumed it was a collapsed drain, and after discussing it with the club, was told to excavate the area with a small digger to assess the situation. Hidden underneath the course was an abandoned 19th century wine cellar with dozens of empty bottles.
The cellar is thought to have once been part of Davyhulme Hall manor house, which was demolished in 1888. After his discovery, Steve said: “I am the first person to go in that room for over a hundred years.
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“I was walking back to the greenkeeping facilities when I noticed a small sinkhole on the 13th tee, which is not unusual. At the time we just thought it was a collapsed drain.
“So we’re thinking it’s just a drain that needs digging out and clearing and repairing but as we dug deeper and deeper it just opened underneath us.”
The cellar was found underneath the 13th hole(Image: Davyhulme Park Golf Club )
During excavation, he discovered a small doorway that required him to crouch to pass through. He then switched on his torch and uncovered an arched-ceiling cellar with dozens of empty blackened glass bottles scattered amongst debris.
At the opposite end there was also another entrance, though it was blocked by rubble – but Steve believes it may be hiding additional structres. According to Trafford Council, Davyhulme Hall was constructed by the Hulme family during the 12th century and later passed to Robert Henry Norreys.
Robert is thought to have established the golf club on the estate’s grounds in 1844. Following its demolition, portions of the land were purchased by the golf club in 1923.
There were dozens of empty bottles(Image: Davyhulme Park Golf Club )
The 13th hole is now appropriately named ‘the Cellars’ – as it likely marked the tradesmen’s entrance and indicates the vault was never entirely forgotten.
Steve said there has been considerable ‘interest’ in the cellar’s future, with some suggesting it should become a feature of the course. However, the groundsmen stated the decision rests with the club.
Writing on X, the club said: “An exciting discovery on the course today. Following the appearance of a sinkhole on the 13th hole, our greens team uncovered what appears to be an old cellar, believed to date back to the original manor house. Over 100 years old and filled with historic wine and port bottles.”
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One person commented: “I wonder if the other holes had collapsed, and if the next hole contained lots of delicious food.” Another said: “You have to make this a cool fixture of the club.” One other commented: “Turn that into a cheeky 19th hole wine tasing getaway for sure. Very cool.”
Site managers confirm the area surrounding the hole remains cordoned off whilst structural engineers and historians from the local council evaluate the site.