Ashford (Kent) Golf Club

History

The story of Ashford (Kent) Golf Club began in 1903 when the course was established at Bybrook with seven holes! By the end of 1905 the course had been extended to 9 holes.

In 1922 the course was extended by a further 3 holes with the clubhouse being enlarged and the telephone and water laid on - heady days indeed!

In 1926 it was necessary for the club to move to a new location and so it was at the beginning of 1927 that play commenced for the first time at Sandyhurst Lane.


The next major change to occur was in the 1980's when the old 17th and 18th holes gave way to the M20 motorway, at which point the course layout was adjusted and a new clubhouse built with the proceeds from the sale of the land. During this decade, like so many other courses in Kent, the great storm of 1987 created further changes to the course due to the loss of mature trees on a number of holes.

It is fair to say however that with the dedication of green staff and committee members over the years the course has gradually improved to become one of the most testing in Kent.

In 2003 the Club celebrated its Centenary Year with numerous events being hosted throughout the year, including inter-club matches with North Foreland, Leatherhead and Shooters Hill who also celebrated their centenaries.


Looking to the future, new challenges face the Club in view of the "Ashford Plan". This may well entail another change of location and this web site will be updated as developments occur.

(These extracts are taken from - "100 years of Ashford Golf Club 1903-2003" a history compiled and edited by Don Rye. Copies of this book are available from the secretary's office at a price of £5.00)