The course was originally laid out in 1891 by prolific and esteemed course architect Tom Dunn in attractive parkland bordering Richmond Park and Ham Common.

In recent years the course has been substantially upgraded with the help of TPL, the firm of golf architects founded by five times Open champion, Peter Thomson. These enhancements included the re-bunkering of the entire course. The redesign won the prestigious Golf Inc World Renovation of the Year award for 2012 and is still the only course in the UK to be honoured!

At 6,100 yards, the course is not long. Nonetheless it presents a stiff challenge to golfers of all abilities. Narrow tree-lined fairways and strategically placed bunkers put a premium on accuracy. As do the six par 3 holes which average 182 yards in length.

Very few amateur golfers match their handicap when they visit. Even professional players find the going tough here.

For many years the course record for the current layout was 66 – only four under par. This has only recently been broken and now stands at an impressive 62.

Photography credits: Members Ian F Gibb & Konrad Bartelski