Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club

Established on 13th October 1889, Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club was founded by enthusiasts including W. Lloyd Brown and Miss G. Osborne, with the course originally consisting of nine holes for both men and ladies. The course was designed by Arthur Hoare and opened for play on 27th November of the same year, with support from The Worcestershire Golf Club and professionals like William Lewis and Herbert Goldingham playing key roles in its early development.

Membership of the club expanded rapidly, doubling by the end of the third year, and the course itself evolved to feature 18 holes by October 1906. Reports from The Gazette and The Field highlighted the challenging nature of the course, with even acclaimed golfers like Horace Hutchings recording high scores, effectively demonstrating the difficulty of the course's terrain at that time.

In 1912, the club purchased the land it currently occupies and built a new clubhouse, where the course saw significant improvements with efforts from players like CA Clark who won an Amateur Medal with a gross 78. The club also had to navigate issues with access and maintained rights of way for local parishioners which led to conflicts between golf and public use of The Park area.

Significant changes in the club's fortunes occurred in 1929 when Sir Stanley Tubbs acquired Stinchcombe Hill and subsequently entrusted it to a trust, granting the golf club a 99-year lease. This period also saw the enlistment of golf course architects Hawtree and Taylor, and later recommendations from James Braid, leading to the establishment of a course highly regarded for its quality and layout.

Historical challenges for Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club included the deterioration of the course during World War I, restoration efforts following the war, and rights of way issues that persisted into the interwar period. Sir Stanley Tubbs's contributions, as well as the club's commitment to improvements and renovations, significantly shaped the course's history.

The post-war era brought financial difficulties and clubhouse destruction by fire in 1944, but matches like the Red Cross and St. John's Sportsman's Appeal in August 1944, featuring Henry Cotton, marked the beginning of recovery. The subsequent decades saw infrastructural improvements including a rebuilt clubhouse, accommodating changes in the sport such as increased usage of motorized carts instead of caddies.

Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club's rich history encapsulates transitions from its 19th-century establishment through two world wars to modern times, reflecting changes in society and the sport of golf itself. The club's enduring legacy is highlighted by its scenic location atop the Cotswold Escarpment and the blend of tradition and adaptation seen throughout its existence.

Visitors are welcome at Stinchcombe Hill Golf Club. Tee times can be booked through the Club Shop at 01453 543878. Staff can advise on the best times and availability.