Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Club

Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Course was established in the early 1890s on the North slopes of the Blackdown Hills, on land that was part of the Corfe Barton estate, which encompassed 681 acres. The course was established by Major Frank Newton, a keen golfer who saw the merits of creating a golf course near his residence due to the arduous journey involved in traveling to the nearest course at the time.

This golf course, extending over 83 acres, was laid out on land known for lime mining and sheep grazing, and was initially designed as a 9-hole course by William Herbert Fowler in 1892, making it the first of Fowler's many golf course designs. The course featured noticeable undulations and lime kiln remnants, which still inform the topographical challenges on the course, particularly on the north section, and were shaped by its historical use in open-cast mining.

Subsequent developments saw the collaboration with Tom Simpson in redesigning the course when it was expanded to 18 holes. The course's original charm, characterized by undulations and lime kilns, has remained a memorable aspect for golfers, reflecting the land's history of lime mining.

The expansion of Taunton & Pickeridge to an 18-hole golf course was completed in 1925 following designs and work by golf architects Herbert Fowler and Tom Simpson. Additional land was acquired in 1965, leading to major changes in the layout of the golf course, yet conserving its external boundaries.

This summary covers the establishment and historical development of Taunton & Pickeridge Golf Course, highlighting the transformation from a mining area to a strategic golf course designed by William Herbert Fowler and later redesigned with Tom Simpson's expertise. Notable features such as the lime kiln remnants and the course's undulating terrain are mentioned as they contribute to the course's challenge and distinctiveness.