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Royal Ascot Golf Club, Ascot Heath Course. (1887 - 2005)

The club first appeared in 1887 with a course on Ascot Heath. Founder member of the club was F J Patton, a local barrister. It was given Royal status by Queen Victoria in the same year. 

There were originally two clubs and two nine-hole courses, the Royal Ascot Golf Club and the Ascot Ladies' Golf Club. The clubs amalgamated in 1895 and it is reputed that J H Taylor designed a new 18-hole course.

Royal Ascot Golf Club went into abeyance in the 1920/30s but there was a brief reappearance prior to WWII. The land was eventually requisitioned for the war effort.

The course reappeared following WW2 when it was listed as Ascot Heath Golf Club. It reverted to the title of the Royal Ascot Golf  Club in the early 1980s.

Entry from the Golfing Annual 1888/89.

Royal Ascot Golf Club button.

Result of the first monthly competition in December 1887.

Windsor and Eton Express Saturday 10 December 1887. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Field Saturday 11 August 1888. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Report on the course in September 1890.

From "Golf" Friday 26 September 1890.

Result of the 1890 December medal; J Oswald, 88-8-80; C C Clarke, 104-22-82; E C Austen Leigh, 102-13-89.

Competition result from April 1891.

"Golf" Friday 24 April 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Result of a match against Crookham Golf Club in March 1894.

“Golf" Friday 23 March 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Below is the result of a match played at Oxford against the Oxford University team on Saturday 26 October 1894. The course was heavy but Mr Lushington managed to go round in 78.

Competition played by the St George's Gymnasium Golf Club in January 1897.

Windsor and Eton Express Saturday 16 January 1897. Content provided by THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

It was reported in January 1898 that Mr H Blackett went round the “new full-size” Royal Ascot course in 74 strokes. Mr F G Tait, the 1896 Amateur Champion scored 77.  

It was reported in the Reading Mercury that the FIRST annual dinner of the Royal Ascot Golf Club was held on Tuesday evening 4 April 1899. Amongst those present; Rev B Kerr Pearce; Capt Coombes; the Hon. F Capel; Mr Sawyer, treasurer; Henley Clarke, secretary; J K Hichens; R Mitchell; P Crutchley; Dr Lacey; Messrs. Oliver, H Blackett, L Liddell, Coombes, C C Clarke, Nares, Sillen, H H Longman and C W Waight. It was stated that “An excellent dinner was provided”.

In the early 1900s  there were several new clubs opening in the area and a number of  members decided to leave the testing Ascot course and  join  one of the "attractive" new neighbours.

On Saturday 10 March 1900 the Oxford University team visited Royal Ascot, the visitors recording a convincing victory, result below. 

The autumn meeting was held on Saturday 14 November 1903. There were two competitions, the best aggregate score, for a trophy presented by Sidney H Farrer, and the best 18 hole round. The scores for the first competition as follow; J B Hichens, 159; C M Wells, 162; P J de Paravacini, 164; J F E Bowring, 168; F J Patton, 170; C F Yeomans, 171 and P V Broke, 177. Result of the eighteen hole competition; C M Wells, 78; J B Hichens, 79; P J de Paravacini, 82; F J Patton, 84; J F E Bowring, 84; W O Sargeant, 84; S S Wollaston, 84; W Menzies, 84; C F Yeomans, 85 and Dblundell, 87. The club professional, J F Longhurst, was given permission by the committee to work at the Homburg Club for a few weeks during the year. Whilst he was in Germay he designed courses at Elm and Nauheim in Prussia and at Cologne and Horrem.

From the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News 9 April 1904. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Above image from top left to right; H Sillem driving from the eighteenth tee; Mr Trotter 17th tee; Mr Taylor takes a cleek shot on the 3rd; E Lucas the hon. secretary; Harold Blackett fourteenth green; J F E Browning on 13th green; F J Patton 13th green. 

King and his Navy and Army Saturday 16 April 1904. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Ascot Heath and Golf Course in the 1900s.

From the 1905 Nisbet's Golf Yearbook; Royal Ascot Golf Club; Instituted 1887; Membership 40; Secretary; E Lucas, The Warren, Ascot; Captain, Lord Churchill; Professional; I G Longhurst;  Entrance fee, £3/3s, subs, £2/2s; 18-holes; Visitors. 1s a round,  10s a week. The course is situated on Ascot Heath; the soil is sandy, and therefore not much affected by rain, while the lies through the green and the greens themselves are very good. The course, which has been considerably altered lately, is a little short, but affords a very fair test of golf.

Also listed in the above book; St George's Gymnasium Golf Club; This club consists of 25 members, who must carry on business within 3 miles of the grandstand. The club plays over the Royal Ascot Golf Club by courtesy. Hon. secretary; H Skidmore, The Old Bank, Ascot. 

Below are results from the 1909 Autumn Meeting. Not the famous name in the mixed foursomes towards the bottom of the article.

Windsor & Eton Express Saturday 30 October 1909. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

In 1909/10 the secretary was H S Ferguson, Englemere Wood Lodge, Ascot. The professional was J G Longhurst. Entrance fee £3/3s and subs £3/3s. Membership of 140. Amateur course record; R H Mitchell and H Blackett, 74. Bogey score, 78. Sunday play not allowed.

In January 1910 the Rev. Herbert Pelham of Birmingham, who was playing with Mr J S Wright, set a new course record of 71; Out - 4,3,4,4,3,5,5,4,4 = 36; In - 4,5,4,4,4,4,2,3.5 = 35 - total 71. The professional record of 72 was held by J G Longhurst, the bogey for the course was 78. 

The September 1911 monthly medal was won by R N Needham, 90-8-82.

The autumn meeting was held on Saturday 4 October 1913. Prince Albert of Schleswig-Holdenstein was in great form and won the scratch prize with a score of 78. The medal round was won by S W Luard, 84-11-73 and the bogey competition was won by Commander H Bowring, 5up.

Pre WWI Ordnance Survey Map showing the Golf Course.

O.S. Map Revised 1909 to 1910; © Crown Copyright (year of publication 1913).

In the 36-hole final for the challenge cup in December 1920 Sir Christopher Magnay (plus 1) beat Lieut. Col. John Haig (10) by 2 and 1.

The Boys’ Championship was played on the Royal Ascot course in September 1921. In the final, played on Saturday the tenth, A D D Mathieson of Edinburgh Academy beat Guy H Lintott of Felstead by 4 and 3. Among those present were the Duke of Connaught, who presented the trophy to the winner, the Crown Princess of Sweden and Princess Helena.  

Daily Mirror Tuesday 6 September 1921. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

The golf club went into decline during the 1920s and there was no mention in the Golfer's Handbook between the wars.

Sad news in November 1922.

Daily Record Wednesday 1 November 1922. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Britain From Above image from 1929 showing Ascot Racecourse and Golf Course.

Above images from the Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic News June 13 1931. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

To confirm the decline of the club the following report appeared in the Coventry Evening Telegraph Saturday 24 August 1935 - "The Boy's Amateur Championship was founded by the private enterprise of the Royal Ascot Golf Club, and since the club went out of existence the organisation and arrangement have been carried through by a committee of nine, seven from the London area and two from Scotland."

There is a revival of golf prior to WWII when the Fernhill (Ascot) Artisans Golf Club appears, report below.

Wokingham Times Friday 15 January 1937. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

It was reported in March 1939 that the monthly competition for the Ascot Golf Club was won by Mr J Robinson and Miss Gwen Toy with a score of 70. 

In the May 1939 monthly competition the winners were Mr F Francis and Mrs Andrews.

From the Sheffield Evening Telegraph Monday 13 November 1939 - "Ascot Golf Course - It has been decided to maintain the golf course on Ascot Heath for the war period."

The course was eventually taken over to aid the war effort.

It became Ascot Heath Golf Club following WWII. 

Mention of the now defunct Royal Ascot Golf Club in April 1949.

Evening News (London) Monday 25 April 1949. Image © Daily Mail & General Trust. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

In 1950 it is listed as the Ascot Heath Golf Club, Winkfield Road, Ascot; membership 130; hon. secretary - J B Rodger, Popeswood Cottage, Binfield; professional, W Ward; green-keeper, P Huxford; course record - W Ward, 64; 9-holes, 5,526 yards, SSS 67; visitors, 3 shillings a round, 5s a day.

Success for Ascot Heath golfer in October 1950.

Staines & Ashford News Friday 13 October 1950. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Wokingham Times Friday 9 February 1951. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1956/7; Ascot Heath Golf Club, Winkfield Road; Membership 130; Hon. secretary; J B Rodger, Popeswood Cottage, Binfield; Professional; W Ward; Green-keeper; Percy Huxford; 9-holes, 5,526 yards, SSS 67; Professional course record; W Ward, 64; Visitors, 3s a day (5s weekends).

Golfer's Handbook 1961 to 1964; Membership 180; Hon. secretary; J B Rodger, Popeswood Cottage, Binfield; Professional; A T Littlefield; Green-keeper; Percy Huxford; 9-holes, 5,526 yards, SSS 67; Professional course record; W Ward, 64; Visitors, 3s for 18-holes, 5s a day; Sundays no visitors.

It was reported in March 1965 that the Ascot Heath Golf Club were to build a new clubhouse at a cost of £1,700. 

By the early 1970s the Ascot Heath course had been extended to 18-holes. The following is from the 1972 Golfer's Handbook; Ascot Heath Golf Club; Membership 320; Secretary, B Fourness; Professional; A Haylett; 18-holes, 5,523 yards, SSS 66; Visitors, 75p (weekends £1,25)

Report on the annual meeting in 1973.

Bracknell Times Thursday 19 April 1973. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1975; Membership 320; Secretary, D T Healy; 18-holes, 5580 yards, SSS 67; Visitors, £1.35.

The Ascot Heath club played a competition for the Jubilee Trophy in June 1977.

The club reverts to the Royal Ascot Golf Club in October 1977.

Bracknell Times Thursday 13 October 1977. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Competitions played in August 1979.

Wokingham Times Thursday 23 August 1979. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Opening of the clubhouse extension in 1979.

Wokingham Times Thursday 11 October 1979. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Golfer's Handbook 1982; Royal Ascot Golf Club; Membership of 450; secretary D T Healy; professional, M Wallace.

Scorecard from 1980 courtesy of Colin Barker.

From the 1988 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 620; Secretary, J Young; Professional, C Dell; 18-holes, 5.653 yards, SSS 67: aamateur course record - S Smith, 66; visitors, £8.

From the 1991 Golfer's Handbook; Membership 600; Secretary, J Young; Professional, G Malia; 18-holes, 5,700 yards, SSS 68; Amateur course record - K Rixon, 66.

Golfer's Handbook 1994; Membership 600; Secretary; D D Simmonds; Professional; D Malia; 18-holes, 5,716 yards, SSS 68; Course records; Amateur; M Milne, 65; Professional; B Lane, 67.

Golfer's Handbook 1998; Membership 600; Secretary, N C W Barker; Professional, Alistair White. 18-holes 5,716 yards, SSS 68; Course records; Amateur; M Milne and G Woodman, 65; Professional; B Lane, 67.

Captain's Dinner in March 1999.

Wokingham Times Thursday 18 March 1999. Image © Reach plc. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Due to the proposed redevelopment of the Ascot  racecourse in 2000 most of the land occupied by the course would be lost.

Golfer's Handbook 2002; Membership 600; Secretary, T Berry; Professional, A White; 18-holes, 5,716, SSS 68. 

In 2004 the course was still located inside Ascot racecourse. The professional was Alistair White. The course was nine-holes; 5,008 yards, SSS 64.

The club moved to the new site on the opposite side of Winkfield Road, this course opened in August 2005. It was formally opened by HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York, in May 2006.