Royston Golf Club

HISTORY OF ROYSTON GOLF CLUB

Golf on Therfield Heath, first came into being in 1869 when two Cambridge Undergraduates thought this would be an excellent position for a Golf links that could be used by fellow students.

These two gentlemen were Lord Dunedin and George Gosset both very keen golfers who came over with a bag of clubs each and set about arranging their golf course by establishing the holes by position and distance according to their striking of golf balls.

A simple but effective basis which was helped by the fact that the heathland was all close cropped grass. This course unfortunately only lasted about two years when in 1871 it was felt that Royston was too far from Cambridge.

However in 1890 the idea of a golf course on the Heath came to the fore again. This time it was with the encouragement of the Conservators and the help of two gentlemen from the now formed Cambridge University Golf Club.

The course that was designed followed much of the original eighteen holes set out in 1869.
This was the prelude to the establishment of Royston Golf club on the 1st May 1892 and although there have been several changes to the course in the last thirty years, mainly to increase the length and avoid playing over a road, every effort has been made to preserve its character.

Established as a private members club it continues be such and has over 800 members.