History

Muswell Hill Golf Club was founded on December 1st 1893 at a meeting in the local Green Man Hotel. This inaugural meeting confirmed membership for both men and women, making Muswell Hill one of the oldest women golf clubs.

By 1899 however, the Club looked doomed as the spectre of urban development threatened the extension of the lease on the land.

Initially there was a 12-hole course, which only grew to 18 holes in 1905. During the First World War, the Club was forced to give up the tenancy of part of the land, and this was divided into allotments, that survive to this day. The course was reduced to 9 holes.

After the war the Club began to lease more land but there was ongoing friction between conservationists and property developers over land use. However, as more land was acquired by the Club so an 18-hole course was established, and in 1931, a new clubhouse was built. During the Second World War, part of the land was used to grow food crops and house ammunition dumps.

The final addition to the course was a triangle of land that now encompasses the 12th green and 13th tees.

Exhibitions & Pro-Ams

From its earliest days, exhibition matches and Pro-Ams have been a feature of life at Muswell Hill. On October 1911 two of the ‘Great Triumvirate’ Harry Vardon & James Braid played an exhibition match here with Vardon taking a 9 on the 11th hole – his highest score on one hole in 13 years!

In September 1922 Braid returned to Muswell, this time with the third member of the trio Ted Ray (see photo below) to play two 4-ball exhibition matches.

In the 1950’s 3-time Open Champion Bobby Locke was a frequent visitor to Muswell Hill as a guest of his great friend and former Club Captain Hector McDonald. He can be seen here driving from the 1st tee.

In April 1960 a Professional Invitation Tournament was held at the Club which was won by Jimmy Hitchcock who played in the Ryder Cup in 1965. Runner up was Neil Coles who was a prolific winner on the European tour and played in 8 Ryder Cups. Other players in the field included the celebrated teacher John Jacobs and Ernest Whitcombe, runner up in the 1924 Open Championship.

Other top players who have graced our fairways include 2-time Major champion and legendary Ryder Cup Captain Tony Jacklin, Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas, The ‘Voice of Golf’ Peter Alliss, Harry Weetman and Barry Lane.