Downe Golf Club, Orpington, Kent. (1927 - WW2)
Downe Golf Club first appeared in 1927.
From the Newcastle Journal Thursday 28 July 1927 - "The new golf course at Downe (Kent) recently completed at a cost of £16,000 may have a 40ft arterial road run through its centre."
The course opened in June 1928.
In 1930 the secretary was Lieutenant Colonel K A Plimpton DSO. The professional was A Macdonald and the greenkeeper H Lovejoy. An 18 hole course with a membership of 350. Course records were, amateur B Darwin 70 and professional H Cotton and A Macdonald 67. Visitors’ fees, 2/6 a day, 10/- a day Weekends and Bank Holidays, 5/- with a member . The station at Orpington was 3 ½ miles away. Local hotel was the Queens Head.
The Downe Golf Club course marked on the O.S. Map below.
From the mid 1930s to 1940 the address was Downe Golf Club, Keston, Kent, telephone Biggin Hill 42. The secretary was H A Welch. The professional was still A MacDonald the greenkeeper was now J Eagle. The 18 holes had a SSS and Par of74, membership throughout this period was 300. Course records were now, amateur B A Etherington 69, professional A Macdonald 66. Fees unchanged. Station at Bromley 5 miles.
The Downe course was taken over by the RAF for the duration of WW2.
Became West Kent Golf Club. West Kent moved to Downe from Bickley following WW2.
The Google Map below shows the Downe course.