Clubhouse
The original Clubhouse was replaced in the early 1920’s with a Cottage bungalow style building and which was extended and altered over the next 40 years. The site of the Clubhouse was in the left corner of the present car park and the tee which can be seen in the foreground is the present 17th tee.
When the Club was able to negotiate a 20 year lease of the course in 1961 and to feu 4000 square yards of ground from the course entrance to the end of the car park, it was considered that the time was right to improve the Clubhouse facilities. Rather than update the existing facility it was agreed by the members to construct a brand new Clubhouse at the end of the existing car park and overlooking the present 1st tee. The new Clubhouse was formally opened on the 25 May 1965 by the Club’s oldest Lady member, Miss Helen Somerville.
Since then and to the present day this Clubhouse remains but has undergone a number of changes and developments over the years.
The first major change was extending the Clubhouse in 1974 to create a flat for the Club Steward and Stewardess and, on the upper level, new kitchen and dining facilities plus toilets.
Twenty five years later, in 1989, the membership agreed to a further extension that provided the Club with a Junior room, Members’ Lounge, Cellar, Office and Professional’s shop. This latest extension was formally opened by Miss Joan Lawrence MBE in 1989.
The picture below shows the 1974 and 1989 extensions.
In 1993 it was recognised that the condition of the existing Gents Locker Room was unacceptable and, at a SGM in in that year, it was agreed to extend and refurbish that area. The approved cost was £135,000. The work was completed in 1994.
The next year the refurbishment of the Lounge was also completed in time for the Club’s Centenary Year in 1996.
From 1997 to 2009 the flat had been unused since the position of Club Steward and Stewardess ceased to exist and it was decided that this area be converted to create a new Manager’s Office, Store Rooms for the Club Caterer, the Club Professional and the Club. Staff toilet facilities were also created. This allowed for changes to be made to the Lobby area of the Clubhouse and improved space for the Club Professional’s shop.
