THE EARLY YEARS – OPEN FOR BUSINESS!
The drive for members started with a meeting at Henley Town Hall in June 1971, where the founders asked for a number of men volunteers to form a committee to assist them with the formation of the club. In spring of 1972, a formal brochure was created and adverts placed in the local press. Each founder member was required to purchase a share in the club (£100 for a seven-day member for a Class A share and £50 for a five-day member for a Class B share). The annual fee for a seven-day member was £75 and five-day membership fees were £40. When it opened its doors, the club was to consist of golf and social memberships, with squash membership to be added once the courts were constructed (this was completed by June 1974). On 15 July 1972, Badgemore Park Golf Club was completed and ready to welcome members for play. The radio, television, and film personality Sid James of Carry On film fame cut the ribbon and hit the opening tee shot to officially declare the course open for play. As reported in the Henley Standard at the time: “I last played golf 22 years ago and I’m never playing again,” said Sid James. “It’s too much graft. I’d rather go fishing.” The reporter went on to observe ‘He is, however, an interesting golfer. His first swing on the first tee at Badgemore was full of style and power but unfortunately it missed the ball. With his next swing he did rather better. The ball stayed where it was, but his club sailed merrily over the nearest hedge!’
After a champagne reception, three local professionals joined first club professional Richard McDougall to play an exhibition game of nine holes on the back nine. “As you can imagine, it was very nerve-racking in front of the new members, many of whom had not seen me before” recalls Richard. “I managed a birdie at the 11th hole, which was the first birdie at Badgemore, so I managed to pass the test.” The opening golfing exploits turned out well despite the more serious golfing event taking place at Muirfield that day. Guy Hunt and Malcolm Gregson were the attached professionals of the club when it opened. The course at Badgemore From its conceptual design, there are some notable things to point out: The order of the holes on the front nine was different to today The length of the course was longer Par for men was 72 The first and 10th tees shared a teeing ground There was a hexagonal tee box serving the now fourth, seventh and ninth holes The 18th green and practice putting greens were in the middle of what is now the car park The tee boxes were designated as Red, White and Blue. When the course was opened for play, the hole routing remained as per the design, but par was 71 off both the White and Red tees. The White Course measured 6,340 yards
ABOVE AND BELOW: SID JAMES AT BADGEMORE
19 / SID’S ELBOW
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