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Redhill and Reigate Golf Club, Eearlswood Common. (1887 – 2019)
The club was founded in 1887.
The original nine-hole course on Earlswood Common was laid out by Peter Paxton. It was extended to 14-holes in 1890 and to 18-holes in 1892. In 1910 the course was entirely redesigned by James Braid.
It was reported in January 2019 that Surrey’s second oldest golf club would be closing after 130 years.
Redhill and Reigate Golf Club in Pendleton Road, Redhill, had struggled to survive for almost two decades. Finally the owners of the club had decided to “thrown in the towel” and it would close at the end of March 2019.
The clubhouse, which was privately owned and a separate entity, would continue to operate as a venue.
Club chairman Tony Hallett said: "I and the trustees appreciate all the help and support the council has given over several years whilst we have kept the club open in adverse trading conditions.
“Sadly, the club is no longer financially viable and the time has come to accept our combined efforts have been in vain and the club must close. Relations between the club and the council remain very positive and it is to be hoped they ultimately succeed in finding a long-term solution that will enable golf to return to the site. I'd also like to express my thanks to staff and members of the club for their support and understanding."
Below is the entry from the Golfing Annual 1888/89.
Below the club grows and prospers, report from April 1889. Mr W H Pelly was captain of the club.
Surrey Mirror Saturday 6 April 1889. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
In April 1890 the club played for the new medal presented to the club by Mrs Allen of Hazelhurst, it would be played alternatively with the usual monthly medal. Result of the first competition for the Allen medal; C J Trevarthen, 126-34-92; Leonard Horner, 102-8-94; Mr Greensill, 119-24-95; F P Browne, 122-20-102; G Blundell, 133-30-103.
Result of the Allen Medal played in June 1890.
From the Field Saturday 14 June 1890. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of the November 1890 gold medal; D Pym, 104-20-84; A Schacht, 89-4-85; F D Browne, 98-13-85; W B Avery, 106-17-89.
In January 1891 the club held a very successful dinner at the Hotel Metropole under the presidency of Sir Trevor Lawrence, M.P., about 60 members and friends were present. The presentation to the winner of the six best medal scores during the last six months of 1890 was presented by Sir Trevor to Alfred Schacht; Mr Greensill Allen was second; F P Browne was third.
Course improvements in December 1891.
Golf Friday 5 December 1891. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Following are the officers for 1892; President, Sir Trevor Lawrence, M.P; captain, Alfred Schacht; vice-captain, Leonard Horner; hon. treasurer, S C Hooley; hon. secretary, Leonard Horner; assistant secretary, C J Trevarthen. The course was extended to 18-holes in 1892.
In April 1894 the competition for the silver iron finished in a triple dead-heat; E L Balcombe, 91-9-82; A H Eve, 94-12-82; T P Shepherd, 99-17-82.
Results from the autumn meeting in September 1894.
"Golf" Friday 5 October 1894. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Result of the December 1894 monthly medal; C W Link (13) 1 down; C L Reade (4) 4 down; J S Miller (14) 5 down; L Horner (1) 7 down; J F Gordon (11) 8 down; Rev. R J Woodhouse (12), Rev. J H Bland (18), F Link (13) 9 down.
Result of the Turner Medal played in March 1895.
"Golf" Friday 15 March 1895. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
The winners at the club meeting in July 1897; President’s Bowl and scratch medal, O C Bevan; captain’s prize, P Marr Johnson; handicap medal, T P Shepherd, 95-12-83.
Result of a mixed foursome played in June 1899; Mrs Hughes and H D Tucker, 93-9-84; Miss Maud Gordon and P Riddoch, 101-10-91; Mrs Stuart Sim and A H Lloyd, 106-14-92; Miss M Rutter, Rev. R I Woodhouse, 105-9-96; Mrs A H Lloyd and J D Stuart Sim, 122-23-99; Miss Ida West and Douglas Helps, 121-15-106.
Results from the Spring meeting played in May 1903.
The Field Saturday 30 May 1903. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From the 1905 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Instituted 1887; membership of 120; hon. secs., C F Claridge and G B Riddell; captain, F P Brown; entrance fee, £2/2s; ladies, 10s/6d; subs £2/2s and 10s/6d; 18-holes; professional, G H May; course records – professional, H Vardon, 74; amateur – O C Bevan, 73; terms for visitors, 2s a day. A good sporting course with natural hazards consisting of ditches, roads, sands, trees and bracken. It is about three miles in length.
In 1905 James Braid visited to make changes to the course.
Proposed changes to the golf course in 1910. James Braid was stated to be overseeing the changes.
Croydon Chronicle and East Surrey Advertiser Saturday 5 February 1910. Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
From the 1912 Nisbet’s Golf Yearbook; Membership of 160; hon. sec. – Albert W Makovski, Rosery Cottage, Redhill; professional, C H Kennett; entrance fee and subs as 1905; course records – professional, C H Kennett, 69; amateur – E W Makovski, 73; no Sunday play. Whole course entirely redesigned and relayed by Braid. Course is longer, and natural bunkers have been used to a much greater extent. Soil loam.
The pre-WW1 course was not long, even for that time, measuring 5,272 yards, description as follows; “It winds about around trees and bushes, without making you feel over-pressurised, and situated on common land, the opposite of a manicured course. It uses the natural slopes and hollows, and contours and, therefore, is testing.”
In 1922 James Braid made his third visit to make further alterations to the course.
From the 1933 to WW2 Golfer’s Handbooks; Membership of 220; joint hon. secretaries Major N B Avery and S G Morrison; professional, R W Baker; course records; amateur – R W H Taylor, 67; professional – R W Baker, 67; visitors; 2s/6d a round, 3s/6d a day, weekend 3s and 5s.
Below "Golf Clubs at Home" from December 1934.
From The Bystander Tuesday 25 December 1934. Image © Illustrated London News Group. Image created courtesy of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.
Below is the result of a match played at Reigate Heath in May 1950.
| Reigate Heath Golf Club | Redhill and Reigate Golf Club | ||
| B L Bourne and J Ashton | 0 | A F Hughes and S S Haybittle (2 and 1) | 1 |
| C E Ellis and A L Faull (halved) | 0 | E S Parrott and C S Hutton (halved) | 0 |
| D J Hawkins and D P L Yandall (8 and 7) | 1 | S Whyte and N B Avery | 0 |
| F W Beisley and H F Connolly (5 and 4) | 1 | F T Wakeman and R D Widdas | 0 |
| E J Jeffries and N W Streat (6 and 4) | 1 | R C Latta and F G Graves | 0 |
| 3 | 1 |
Golfer’s Handbook 1951; Membership of 162; hon. secretary – Major N B Avery, 3 Brownlow Road, Redhill; professional, Geoffrey W Huggett; green-keeper, P Mundy; 18-holes with SSS of 71; course records as 1933; Visitors; 3s/6d a round, 5s a day.
Mid 1950s; Membership of 166; secretary – S A Barnett, 61 Blalckborough Road, Redhill; professional, G W Huggett; green-keeper, F H Winter (T King 1960); 18-holes SSS 69; course record – amateur; S S Haybittle, 70.
Mid 1960s; Membership 192; hon. secretary – as 1950s; professional, W H Carter; green-keeper, H Coombes; 18-holes 5,314 yards; visitors 5s a round, 7s/6d a day.
Mid 1970s; Membership 300; secretary, P R C Vargas; professional, Malcolm Hawkins; 18-holes 5,360 yards SSS 66; course records; amateur – M Gander, C J Weight, P Deighton, R Donovan, 65; professional, G W Huggett, 63; visitors; £1.
Golfer’s Handbook 1980s; Membership 300; secretary, R J Whitson; professional, Barry Davies; visitors; £2.50. £5 (late 1980s.)
1990s; Membership 500; secretary F R Cole; professional, B Davies (Warren Pike late 1990s/2000s); visitors, £12.
Golfer’s Handbook 2009; Membership 55; secretary, D Simpson; professional W Pike; visitors, £25.
Scorecards and hole profiles.
