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Newbury Golf Centre, Newbury Racecourse. (1993 - 2016)
Thanks to Richard Anderson for his help in compiling the history of the Newbury Golf Centre; “The 18-hole course opened in 1993 as an initiative by the racecourse to use its land more profitably. 12 of the 18 holes were within the circuit of the racecourse itself, and 6 between the railway line and the racecourse. The centre also provided a large driving range. Although almost treeless the course used ditches, ponds and contours around the greens to create a popular test which could be played as two 9s. Initially the six holes outside the racecourse circuit formed the 1st to 6th, but they were later renumbered as the 13th to 18th. Very little changed otherwise in the 18-hole layout, apart from the original par 3 2nd being lengthened with a new green, and the bunker in front of the par 3 15th flooding into becoming a pond. There were two double greens, in the original numbering 1st/5th and 16th/18th. At its longest the course measured from the white tees 6552 yards Par 72. The facility hosted the Newbury Racecourse Golf Club and was no doubt helped by having well-known local pro Nick Mitchell attached to the centre; later the name Newbury Golf Centre was adopted. In 2012 the racecourse announced that they had struck a deal with David Wilson Homes to develop most of the land covering the 13th to 18th holes.
The course was duly reduced to a 9 hole layout entirely within the racecourse circuit, measuring from the white tees 6088 yards Par 70 for twice around. In 2013 nearby Newbury and Crookham Golf Club took on the management of the course on a ten year deal, but in early 2016 announced that they would not be continuing their management beyond May. No agreement for an alternative was reached and the course closed, with the covered driving range also shutting in November of that year.
Nevertheless the closure of the golf course has been a substantial loss to accessible and affordable sport in the area. I played it many times and found the course to be a consistently maintained and entertaining layout with an appropriate level of challenge for most players.”
From the 1998 - 2004 Sunday Telegraph Golf Courxse Guide; 18-hole parkland course, 6,500 yards, SSS 70; professional, Nick Mitchell; visitors, £12 wekdays, £15 weekend (1998); £15, £20 (2004).
Advert for the club in January 1998.
Reading Evening Post Thursday 22 January 1998. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Reading Evening Post Monday 22 March 1999. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Course scorecards.
