CLUB HISTORY
Ascot Heath Golf Club was originally founded by a local barrister, F.J.Patton. It was given Royal status in 1887 by Queen Victoria, who it is known had a large family. The Prince of Wales, later to become Edward V11, was a member and played the course with at least four of his sisters. It is recorded that four of the Princesses had lessons with the first Club Professional (Joseph George Longhurst), a position he held for 25 years.
Records show that there were two clubs operating on the Heath during this period, Royal Ascot Golf Club and Ascot Ladies' Golf Club, each having a 9 hole course. In 1895 the two clubs amalgamated under the banner of Royal Ascot Golf Club, combining the two courses. An 18 hole course was designed by J.H.Taylor, a member of the " Great Triumvirate " of Vardon, Braid and Taylor, winning between them 16 of the 21 Open Championships between 1894 and 1914, of which Taylor won five.
In 1921 RAGC hosted the inaugural British Boys Championship on the Heath and presented the R & A with a cup to be played for annually, the tournament was repeated on the Heath in 1922. In 1921 both Henry Cotton and his brother played, but Henry was defeated in the first round.
Many local golfers found the Heath Course difficult and P.J.Patton moved on in 1900 with other Royal Ascot members and founded Sunningdale Golf Club. After the Great War Royal Ascot fell into decline, due mainly to the emergence of East Berkshire, Swinley Forest, Wentworth and The Berkshire Golf Clubs. The then Clerk of the Course, maintained the course and members paid a green fee to the Professional, who collected on behalf of the Ascot Authority. This lasted until 1939 when the War Office again took over the Heath. After the war things continued as before until 1948 when members wanted to take more responsibility and the move towards the Club we know today had started.
The Centenary was celebrated in 1987. Henry Cotton M.B.E opened the proceedings and after taking lunch toured the course in a buggy stopping at regular intervals to pass on tips to the players. In the years since 1987 we have faced difficult times but thanks to the efforts of many devoted members, has now assured its future on a new course and Clubhouse.
It is ironic that in 1911 a new Club appeared in Nisbet's
Golf Year Book, namely Ascot St. George's Golf Club, playing on the Heath
by arrangement with RAGC. Date is not known but Ascot St. George's became
part of Royal Ascot Golf Club, at its prime it only boasted 25 members.
This Club was for people who carried on business within 3 miles of the
Grandstand and the Secretary lived at The Farm, Ascot, which since November
2004 has been our new home and hopefully for another century and beyond.
