The origin of the Erratic Golfing Society commenced following an informal conversation over lunch at the Southerndown Golf Club in early 1922. This involved John Duncan, John Alexander, Raymond Thomas, Rupert Phillips and Brigadier-General Charles Carter. Brigadier Carter described the ‘Dinner Match’ system at the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (HCEG) at Muirfield and that a similar society should be formed in South Wales.

After one or two informal meetings, Raymond Thomas as acting Secretary produced a list of names from which 20 were selected at a meeting on 9th January 1924. Invitations were sent out on the 11th January. The inaugural meeting and dinner was held at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff on 29th January 1924.

The original draft of the Rules bears the name of “The Golf Match Club”, but this rapidly changed to the “Rules of the Erratic Golfing Society” an apt title for the uneven standard of golf played by the members.

Moreover the dictionary definition of the word erratic was ‘without a fixed course’. At the time, Radyr, The Glamorganshire, Southerndown and Royal Porthcawl were where members were recruited. The majority of the members came from Cardiff Docks via The Glamorganshire. A significant number of matches were played at Southerndown but, with time, Royal Porthcawl became the spiritual home, and nearly all home matches were played there.