Course History
The Original Course
The course was designed in 1909 by Willie Park Junior, twice Open Champion in the 1880’s. The original layout was very different to the current one. For example the 17th hole ran up the current practice ground, the 18th down the line of the bungalows in Links Road to a green to the left of the entrance drive, the 2nd was from the current tee area to the current 3rd green and the 7th ran from a tee in the area of Tommy’s Bar to a green by the current 12th tee.
The Current Course
In 1937 the course was substantially enlarged and redesigned by James Braid, the famous golf architect and five times Open Champion. Additional acreage was obtained by buying bogland from Lord Arlington and reclaiming it to form the current 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th holes. The layout and numbers of many of the other holes were also changed.
The result of this highly imaginative reconstruction was a jewel of a course setting an intriguing and varied test of golf set amongst pine and heather fringed fairways where every hole presents a different challenge.
In 1996 English Nature used their statutory powers to designate the course a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as part of the wider South Dorset Heathland Project. This controversial move proved a blessing in disguise as it enabled the removal of thousands of pines that were steadily choking the fine native grasses essential to the well being of the course. In 2004 the Club’s successful stewardship was recognised by a rare award by English Nature for Outstanding Management of a SSSI.
