Worthing Golf Club

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Worthing Golf Club
Worthing golf course - geograph.org.uk - 1326802.jpg
The Lower Course of Worthing Golf Club extends up a dry valley in the South Downs
Worthing Golf Club
Club information
Coordinates 50°50′32″N0°23′16″W / 50.8423°N 0.3878°W / 50.8423; -0.3878
Location Worthing, West Sussex, England
Established1905;120 years ago (1905)
TypePrivate
Total holes36
Website worthinggolf.com
Lower Course
Designed by Harry Colt
Par 71
Length6,505 yards Longest hole is #6
Upper course
Designed by Harry Vardon
Par 66
Length5,211 yards Longest hole is #11

Worthing Golf Club is a historic private members' golf club located in Worthing, West Sussex, within the South Downs National Park in Southern England. Established in 1905, the club is situated near the Iron Age hill fort of Cissbury Ring, offering panoramic views of both the South Downs and the English Channel.

Contents

The club features two 18-hole downland courses and a comprehensive range of practice facilities. Its clubhouse, originally the 19th-century Warren farmhouse, [1] was refurbished in 2023 [2] and serves as the social and hospitality hub of the club. Worthing Golf Club has a long-standing presence in Sussex golf and regularly hosts county-level competitions.

History

Worthing Golf Club's original 18-hole course was designed by six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon and officially opened in 1906 with an exhibition match between Vardon and five-time Open Champion James Braid. [3]

After World War I, renowned course architect Harry Colt [4] was commissioned to redesign the layout. In 1923, he introduced two distinct 18-hole courses: [5]

These developments marked a shift in course design at the time, blending traditional downland features with Colt's innovative design philosophy. [4]

Courses and Facilities

Worthing Golf Club offers two well-draining 18-hole downland courses:

Additional golfing facilities include a six-hole academy course, a covered driving range, short-game practice areas, and multiple putting greens.

The clubhouse, housed in the former Warren farmhouse, was extensively modernised in 2023. [2] It now features a contemporary terrace, bar and dining areas, snooker room and private event space. [8] An in-house kitchen team provides freshly prepared, locally sourced meals daily from 8am.

Membership and Community

With over 1500 members, Worthing Golf Club caters to golfers of all ages and abilities. [9] The Golf Academy [10] offers comprehensive coaching programmes for juniors, beginners and seasoned players, delivered by PGA-qualified professionals.

The on-site Rampion Golf Pro Shop has received recognition [11] within the golf retail industry for its service and range of equipment.

The club also has a strong community and charitable focus. Each year, the Club Captain and Lady Captain select a charity for dedicated fundraising efforts. In 2024, members raised over £28,000 [12] for the local homelessness charity Turning Tides. [13]

References

  1. ↑ Baynes, Ken (2005). Worthing Golf Club: The First One Hundred Years. Worthing: Worthing Golf Club.
  2. 1 2 Worthing Golf Club (14 March 2023). WGC Refurb Update 14/03/23 . Retrieved 18 June 2025– via YouTube.
  3. ↑ Elleray, Robert (1998). A Millennium Encyclopaedia of Worthing History. Optimus Books. ISBN   0-9533132-0-4.
  4. 1 2 Pugh, Peter (2005). Creating Classics: The Golf Courses of Harry Colt. Icon Books. ISBN   9781848310254.
  5. ↑ Jasper (28 May 2020). "Harry Colt Golf Courses". Evalu18. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  6. ↑ "Colt Course :: WORTHING GOLF CLUB, with its two 18 hole courses, occupies a commanding position on the slopes of the South Downs". www.worthinggolf.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  7. ↑ "Vardon Course :: WORTHING GOLF CLUB, with its two 18 hole courses, occupies a commanding position on the slopes of the South Downs". www.worthinggolf.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  8. ↑ "Worthing Golf Club - England Golf". www.englandgolf.org. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Membership information :: WORTHING GOLF CLUB, with its two 18 hole courses, occupies a commanding position on the slopes of the South Downs". www.worthinggolf.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "I tried a golf lesson at Worthing Golf Club – it was different to what I was expecting". SussexWorld. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Rampion Golf's Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  12. ↑ "Inside Worthing, Issue 56, May 2025". issuu. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  13. ↑ "Turning Tides". Turning Tides. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
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