Bearwood Golf Club, Berkshire. (1975

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Bearwood Golf Club, Berkshire. (1975 - 2014)

The club was situated on the picturesque Bearwood Estate near Wokingham, Berkshire. The proprietors of Bearwood Golf Club were the Trustees of the Royal Merchant Navy School Foundation, a registered charity.

The club closed on 31 March 2014. The course was purchased by Reading Football Club and was to be used as a training facility and football academy.

The first golf course on the Estate opened on 1 September 1975 as a 9-hole public pay-and-play facility.

Reading Evening Post Friday 1 August 1975. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The quality of the course continued to improve.

From the 1982 Golfer's Handbook; 1980; Private; Membership, 110; Secretary, J Clarke; 9-holes, 2,359 yards, SSS 33; Fees, £1.

In 1986, Bearwood Golf Club was formed into a members club. Bearwood Golf Club prided itself on being a friendly and welcoming club that maintained and enhanced its high standards for the benefit of both members and visitors.

There had been many developments and changes over the years, including some additional tees and a twin green to provide variety, although Bearwood remained a 9-hole golf course. One of the most significant additions to the facilities was the building of a 10-bay floodlit practice range in 1997. This became one of the core assets for the Bearwood Golf Academy and was an integral part of the training facilities offered to players enrolling for Academy Membership.

The 9-hole course included some alternative tees and a twin green for those wishing to play 18-holes of golf. Measuring a comfortable 5,605 yards off the back tees, the course may have appeared to be an easy test but it provided a challenge for golfers of all abilities.

The two opening holes were both par fours and were the longest on the course. The 3rd and 12th was a short dog-leg which offered a real chance of a birdie if a good approach was made to the double green. The next hole, when played as the 13th, required a solid drive from the elevated tee over the Victorian orchard to get into range.

The 5th /14th was fairly straight forward if you hit the ball straight. The Hawtree designed 6th /15th hole was a real test and rarely gave away birdies. The following two holes were the most picturesque on the course and required a drive over the Lake!

Finally, if the Out-Of-Bounds was avoided to the left of the approach, a relatively straightforward finish awaited.

From the 1988 Golfer's Handbook; 1986; Membership, 470; Secretary, Major H D Burke; Professional, B Tustin; 9-holes, 2,814 yards, Par 35; Fees, 9-holes, £5; Also 9-hole pitch and putt.

Golfer's Handbook 1991; Membership, 570; Secretary, C Dyer OBE; Professional, B Tustin; 9-holes, 2,814 yards, SSS 67; Amateur course record, J Twamley, 72 (1989); Fees, 18-holes £12, 9-holes £7.

Golfer's Handbook 1994; Membership, 570; Secretary, C Dyer OBE; 9-holes, 5,624 yards, SSS 68; Course records- Amateur; J B Tustin and R Donald, 69 (1992); Professional; A F Smith, 68 (1991); Fees, 18-holes £16, 9-holes £8.50.

Golfer's Handbook 1998; Membership, 550; Secretary, B F C Tustin; 9-holes, 5,614 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record, J Carpenter, 68 Professional, B J Tustin, 66 (1995); Fees, 18-holes £15, 9-holes £8.

Golfer's Handbook 2002 - 2006; Pay and Play; Membership, 500; Manager, B F C Tustin; Professional, B J Tustin; 9-holes, 5,614 yards, SSS 68; Fees, 18-holes, £18 weekdays, (£22 weekends), 9-holes, £10, (£12).

The club continued to be listed in the Golfer's Handbook until closure.

In July 2013 Reading Football Club agreed a deal with the charity to buy the Bearwood Golf Club course.

Course scorecards.