Our Heritage

1914 - 1938

Following the purchase of the land and clubhouse in 1921, Harry Colt, arguably the greatest golf course architect in history, was approached to design two new courses to replace the current ones. These new courses were opened in 1923. 

By 1924 the greens staff had grown to a Head Greenkeeper, two horseman, six greensman and three labourers. 

In 1925 80 acres of land known as the Cissbury Ring was bought by the National Trust for £1900. The Club bought it first tractor with two ransome mower units for £213

In 1927 they were named the Lower Course and Upper Course (and have been renamed since, to The Colt Course & Vardon Course to better reflect their architectural heritage)

“The Downs and their exquisite beauty of line and smoothness of playing surface begin to fasten on your delighted mind, ….. You play up, down and across one of the loveliest valleys surely in Britain and a Sussex valley, cupped in the hollow of Downland, is like unto nothing else in all the world ….. We have all played on a score or more of courses which boasts views of the surrounding scenery, but to sit on this crisp turf on one of the heights and gaze to East and West and all about you, you will be utterly absorbed in the panoramic spectacle completely under the spell of Sussex”

E.P. Leigh-Bennet wrote the above about Worthing Golf Club in his book ‘Some Friendly Fairways’, 1930

Membership continued to grow and in the early 1930s there were about 800 members.

In August 1939 the professional’s shop was opened, celebrated by golf competitions, just days after the outbreak of WWII. 

During WWI the Club continued its operations and improvements to the course. Many members were called for active service and temporary membership offered to military units based in the area.

1939 - 1969

WWII brought financial hardship to most clubs including Worthing. Shareholders and members made voluntary donations to support the club and subscriptions were raised to protect the Club.

2005 - Present Day

In 2005 the Club celebrated its centenary, a key milestone in its proud history. In the lead up to the centenary, a book was published documenting the Club’s proud history. From a humble farmhouse at the start of the 1900s to the thriving members club it became a century later, the book explores ownership, course development, wildlife, competitions and much much more. The book is available to purchase from the Club office for a donation to the Captain’s charity.

More recently in 2016

Tom Mackenzie, of renowned and R&A retained Golf Course Architects Mackenzie and Ebert, undertook a Historic Research Study of the Colt (Lower) Course (possible active link) and from this work produced a Course Design Audit and Hole by Hole Recommendations. These professional design recommendations were initiated due to the need for bunker improvements that, through the passage of time, had become outdated in location, due to the driving distances of the modern game, and the need for reshaping due to their evolving water catchment properties.

The bunker improvement works are in progress, combining Mackenzie design with the expert shaping by Marcus Terry, of 1st Golf, together with the Club’s Greenkeeping Team labour under the watchful eye and supporting graft of George Barr our Course Manager. These works are being funded by a Members’ levy, which has enabled 3 to 4 holes to be completed each year for the past three years.