Crowborough Beacon Golf Club
Our History
Founded in 1895, the dramatic heathland setting of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club has an unrivalled position on one of the highest points in Sussex, enjoying far-reaching views to the sea 22 miles away. Here we see the first clubhouse 'Chiflik' in the year of our formation.
To view a video telling the story of Crowborough Beacon Golf Club through the eyes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Club Captain 1910, or to visit our Gallery of old photographs please select the appropriate button below.
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Horace Thomas Rawlins
Horace Rawlins was working at the Newport Golf Club in Rhode Island when in 1895 the first national golf tournament in America was held there. Horace entered the competition in 1895 and became the inaugural US Open Golf Champion. He won with a score of 173 over four rounds of the 9 hole course, winning US$ 200 although US$ 50 was deducted for the cost of the winner’s gold medal.
Rawlins returned to England in late 1895 and took a position as Assistant Professional at Crowborough Beacon Golf Club. The Club Professional, Arthur Jackson arranged a match at Crowborough between Rawlins and James Braid, soon to become a five time Open Champion. Braid won fairly comfortably, being round in 88 and 81 (a course record) as against 94 and 86 for Rawlins.
Ladies section
The Ladies’ section was formed in 1896 with the first Ladies Captain Miss W.M. Langridge.
The first Ladies’ committee meeting was held on 5th June that year making Crowborough Beacon one of the first Clubs in Sussex to have a Ladies section.
One Honorary Member, Lady Margaret Rachel Scott, daughter of John Scott, third Earl of Eldon won the British Ladies' Amateur Championship during each of the Ladies’ Golf Union's first three years (1893 Royal Lytham St. Annes, 1894 Littlestone and 1895 at Portrush). In 1921 Lady Margaret became an honorary member at Crowborough Beacon Golf Club and was invited to serve on the Ladies‘ committee by her sister-in-law the Rt. Hon. Mrs. O. (Mary) Scott who was Lady Captain at Crowborough Beacon for no less than 8 years between 1910 and 1934.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle lived with his wife, Lady Jean in Crowborough, in a house called “Windlesham” overlooking the golf course from 1907 until his death in July 1930. Sir Arthur was a keen golfer and became a committee member in 1909 and was elected Captain of Crowborough Beacon golf club the following year - 1910. Lady Jean was Ladies Captain in 1911.
Sir Arthur, the creator of the great detective, Sherlock Holmes, penned many of his best works whilst looking out of his study window across our great golf course.
Enid Wilson
Enid Wilson was one of the greatest golfers of her day who lived locally and was a member of Crowborough Beacon Golf club. She was British Ladies Amateur golf champion three years in a row, 1931, 1932 and1933 and in the 1933 US Amateur Championship she lost in the semi-finals to the eventual tournament champion Virginia Van Wie and won the medal for lowest round with a record-setting score.
Enid never turned professional and instead embarked upon a successful career in golf journalism with her own column in “Golf Illustrated” and writing numerous articles for other golfing magazines. Later Enid became the Daily Telegraph’s womens’ golf correspondent retiring in the 1970s. Enid also continued at the top echelons of the Ladies’ Golf Union until the 1960s and constantly encouraged youngsters through her teaching and writing.
At the age of 71 Enid was still playing off a handicap of five, then two years later she came down to four! She could still be seen tramping the fairways with her old leather bag slung over her shoulder well into her 80s
Charles Owen Hezlet
Charles Owen Hezlet, Crowborough Beacon Golf Club Captain for two consecutive years 1957 and 1958 and a renowned and well-respected amateur golfer known for his wide stance, oversaw the last major changes to the course layout - remodeling the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh holes giving us the course we know and love today.
Earlier in his golf career Charles was runner-up in the Amateur Championship in 1914 playing in the Open Championship on three occasions 1928, 1929 and 1930. In 1928 he finished 17th at Royal St. George’s (79,76,78,76 = 309). He was one shot better than Henry Cotton but missed out on the Amateur prize by two shots.
Charles had three sisters who were also well-known amateur golfers: May, Violet and Florence.
Lincoln & Welland
Crowborough Beacon Golf Club’s connection with the Lincoln & Welland Regiment goes back to that fateful day, 5th July 1944, when nine soldiers of the regiment were killed on the golf course by a V-1 flying bomb (Doodlebug).
There is still a strong link between the Club and the regiment with a memorial to the fallen soldiers just off the fourth fairway with the club holding remembrance services to this day.
In October 2024 the Club’s Vice President was inducted as an honorary member of the Regiment further strengthening the ties between the Club and the Regiment.
Telephone: 01892 661511
Email:
info@cbgc.co.uk
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Beacon Road, Crowborough , East Sussex, TN6 1UJ
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