A PROUD CLUB WITH
A RICH HERITAGE

OVER 120 YEARS OF HISTORY AND COUNTING

BECOME A MEMBER

EST. 1903

GOT A MOMENT? HERE ARE FEW MEMORIES

The Leatherhead Club celebrated its centenary in 2003 and there’s lots more to celebrate as we look to the future. Founded in 1903, our golf course has been played by a PGA Hall of Fame inductee, an Open Championship winner, the British Ryder Cup Team and even the Prime Minister during our proud history.

There have been course layout changes – when the M25 was built – but the majority of the course layout is as originally designed. Here are just a few of our milestones and some of our members’ achievements over many decades and generations.

Club History

1903

Surrey Golf Club was formed at Pachesham Manor in 1903 on land owned by Mr F C Ramsey and Sir William Vincent. Press cuttings from 6 June 1903 indicate the course was laid out by Peter Paxton. He was an expert maker of clubs and balls and designed other courses including East Berkshire and Coventry. Horace Hutchinson was the first Club Captain and a prolific author of golf books.

1903

“A high-quality local golf course built and run by local people”. By October 1903, nine holes were open and Sydney Cooper became club professional. Sydney’s son Harry, who was born in Leatherhead in 1903, was elected to the US PGA Hall of Fame in 1959.

1907

There was a professional match between James Braid, Harry Vardon, William Mitchell (club professional) and Abe Mitchell (his claim to fame: the golfer on the Ryder Cup was modelled on Abe). Also playing was Arthur Balfour who was British Prime Minister 1902-1905.

1908

1908

The club changed its name from Surrey Golf Club The Leatherhead Golf Club. To this day, one trophy from the era – The Pachesham Challenge Cup – is still competed for by members.

1928

1928

Alf Perry came to Leatherhead from Walton Heath, where he was the assistant to James Braid. Alf subsequently became the professional at Leatherhead when William Mitchell moved to Effingham. And 1935 saw the greatest achievement in the history of club members when Alf Perry won the Open Championship at Muirfield with rounds of 69, 75, 67 and 72.

1935

1935

In September, the British Ryder Cup team (which included Alf Perry) played practice rounds at Leatherhead in readiness for the tournament at Ridgewood Country Club, New Jersey. However, the US team which included golfing legends Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen won 9-3.

1940

The Second World War saw the original clubhouse bombed. To support the war effort, crops were grown alongside the A243 (to the right of the 1st and 3rd holes). There were anti-aircraft guns located near the current location of the clubhouse. Understandably, this period saw a decline in membership and the club didn’t return to its former glory until the 1950s.

1958

Tournaments in the 1950s welcomed international players to Leatherhead. And in 1958, Bobby Locke (the famous South African winner of four Open Championships) played an exhibition match with Alf Perry.

OUR BEST YEARS ARE AHEAD OF US

Every great club is built on strong foundations. For The Leatherhead Club that’s our rich and illustrious heritage. Our membership is growing, and the course and clubhouse are undergoing a major upgrade – there’s still so much to look forward to.
So, join us and be a part of our bright future.

BECOME A MEMBER