Selsdon Park Hotel Golf Club, Sanderstead. (1929– 2021)
The 18-hole parkland course with mature trees was originally designed by J H Taylor. The course underwent many changes in the following years but the original work of J H Taylor was always respected in the alterations.
The course closed in December 2021. The following message was sent by the management to members –“Dear All. I regret to inform you that due to events outside of our control we are no longer able to provide golf at De Vere Selsdon Estate Hotel beyond 31 December 2021. The hotel and golf course has been sold to a third party and is being closed for a full refurbishment.”
Reports on the opening of the course in June 1929.
On the first tee in November 1930.
Famous names at Selsdon Park in May 1931.
From the 1933 Golfer’s Handbook; Secretary, Peter Sheppard; Professional, A J Lacey; Green-keeper, A Munt; 18-holes; Professional course record – E Dudley, 66; Visitors, 2s/6d a day (7s/6d weekends).
New course record in August 1933.
In January 1934 Arthur J Lacey, professional at Selsdon Park, was appointed professional to the Berkshire Golf Club.
In June 1934 James Wallace was temporarily appointed professional.
People in the picture above; (picture 1) top left back row; C C K Collier, Dr A Marsh, J Falletti, L Lewis, H Cornish (committee-man); sitting; H J Prest, H E Burrell (committee-man), A H Hunt; (2) centre left; Dr J C McMillan and E G Hansley (committee-men); (3) bottom left; W O Bloom Jr. and Peter Shepherd (secretary and manager) with Billie; (4) top right; Dr R Robertson, T Maughan, R W W Parker; (5) H S Bandy and H N Gerkin; (5) middle centre; (6) S A Smith and F L Hart; (7) middle right; E Freeman and H U Burke; (8) bottom middle; C A Bull, A S Campbell, J H Blackmore.
Picture of the secretary in 1935.
Advert for the Selsdon Park Hotel in February 1936.
Challenge match played in July 1936.
Golfer’s Handbook 1937; Secretary, P Sheppard; Professional, W L Ritchie; Green-keeper, A Munt; 18-holes, SSS 74; Professional course record – A J Lacey, 65; Visitors, 2s/6d a day (7s/6d weekends).
Dick Burton and Bobby Locke play at Selsdon Park in August 1939.
Ordnance Survey Map from the time of WW2 showing the Hotel and Golf Course.
Match played in July 1945.
Golfer’s Handbook 1947; Membership, 140; Secretary, O L Stewart; Professional, W L Ritchie; Green-keeper, A Gibbs; 18-holes, SSS 75; Professional course record – A J Lacey, 65; Visitors, 2s/6d a day (7s/6d weekends).
Golfer’s Handbook 1951; Membership, 147; Secretary, O L Stewart; Professional, J C Powne; Green-keeper, A Newall; 18-holes; Visitors, 2s/6d a round, 3s/6d a day (10s).
Winner of the March 1953 monthly medal; A G Eke (16) 68; Laurie Cup winner, M M Lewis (24) 74; Club member E J Laird holed in one at the 175 yard fourth hole.
Golfer’s Handbook 1957; Membership, 150; Secretary, Mrs D Jeffery; Professional, L Platt; Green-keeper, W Warrender; Visitors, 3s/6d a round, 5s a day (10s).
Report on the Sprite Tournament played at Selsdon Park in July 1959. The picture below shows Bernard Hunt driving from the first tee. Host professional Harry Weetman (left) watches on.
p>Golfer’s Handbook 1961 to 1964; Membership, 170 (300 in 1964); Secretary, Mrs D Jeffery; Professional, H Weetman; Green-keeper, W Warrender; 18-holes, 6,405 yards, SSS 72; Visitors, 5s a round, 7s/6d a day (10s Saturday, 15s Sunday and Bank Holiday).
In September 1965 Harry Weetman captained the British Ryder Cup team at Royal Birkdale.
Golfer’s Handbook 1966; Membership, 350; Secretary, Mrs D Jeffery; Professional, H Weetman; Green-keeper, L Chapple; 18-holes, 6,405 yards, SSS 72; Visitors, 10s day (£1 Saturday, £1/10s Sunday and Bank Holiday).
Golfer’s Handbook 1972; Membership, 430; Secretary, G H Eden; Professional, H Weetman; 18-holes, 6,405 yards, SSS 72; Course records – Amateur; B Stevenson, 68; Professional; A Lacey and J Hitchcock, 65; Visitors, £1. 25 (£2.50).
Harry Weetman died after being involved in a car accident in July 1972.
Golfer’s Handbook 1975; Membership, 480; Professional, Bill Mitchell; 18-holes, 6,352 yards, SSS 72; Course records – Amateur; B Stevenson, 68; Professional; A Lacey and J Hitchcock, 65; Visitors, £2.
Golfer’s Handbook 1982; Selsdon Park Hotel; Membership, 600; Secretary, D Fleming; Professional, Bill Mitchell; 18-holes, 6,402 yards, SSS 72: Visitors, £6.50 (£7.50, Saturday, £8.50, Sunday).
Golfer’s Handbook 1991; Professionals, T O’Keefe and I Naylor; 18-holes, 6,402 yards, SSS 71; Amateur course record – M Welch, 68; Visitors, £20 (£25 Saturday, £30 Sunday and BH).
Report on the course in September 1993.
Golfer’s Handbook 1994; Professionals, T O’Keefe and I Naylor, S Torrance (Touring Professional)18-holes, 6,407 yards, SSS 70; ; Amateur course record – M Welch, 68; Visitors, £20 (£30).
Golfer’s Handbook 1998 to 2004; Secretary, Mrs C Screene; Professional, M Churchill; 18-holes, 6,473 yards, SSS 71; Course records – Amateur; M Welch, 68; Professional, M Job, 64; Visitors, £20 (£30); Driving Range.
Golfer’s Handbook 2007/8; Secretary, Mrs S Bates; Professional, G Wallis; 18-holes, 6,473 yards, SSS 71; Visitors, £28 (£36).
Golfer’s Handbook 2009; Membership, 200; Secretary/Professional, C Baron; 18-holes, 6,473 yards, SSS 71; Visitors, £35 (£50).
The club continued to be listed in the Golfer’s Handbook until it ceased publication in 2015.
Course Scorecards and pictures.