and the Red Course 5,775 yards. The change in par was due to the fifth hole (now the eighth) being reduced from a par 5 to a par 4. Par for men was further reduced to 69 with par on the 11th and 16th holes being changed from 5 to 4. The indoor riding school housed the professional shop and a large open area that had the potential to be used as an indoor driving range or for other indoor sports. Barbara Pointing was appointed to run the Ladies ‘Famous Grouse’ event when players from all over the country played at Badgemore Park. The first hole-in-one came shortly after opening day on a Sunday afternoon. “John [her husband] and I were playing with Alan Gerrard,” says Barbara. “On the 17th, Alan scored the first hole-in-one at Badgemore. The three of us rushed into the bar for Alan to buy everyone drinks – but it was almost empty, so Alan had a cheap round!” The club developed at pace and soon became established in the area. From the start, it acquired a reputation as an open, friendly and welcoming place for both established and new members. The club’s first-ever competition took place on 8 October 1972 for the Vlasto Trophy. The trophy had been presented to the club by Michael Vlasto who had lived in Badgemore House until 1950. The following weekend there was a presentation evening, which was followed by a buffet dance. Tickets were £1.75 per person which covered the cost of the band and buffet. Five-day golf Membership included five-day from the start, but it wasn’t until 1977 that any competitive golf was organised for the five-day membership. At this time, five-day membership included associate members from Thames Valley Police, Reading Area Fire Service and, for a time, an element of the
Royal Air Force at High Wycombe and West Drayton. The Club Captain at the time, George Gooch, had encouraged the formation of a five-day committee under the chairmanship of Dawson Whitman. By 1989, the membership comprised a total of 920 members. Seven-day men 400 Seven-day ladies 20 Five-day men 220 Five-day ladies 30 Joint seven-day (persons) 160 Joint five-day (persons) 90 Total 920 Pro-Am competitions The first pro-am at Badgemore took place in September of 1980. In 1989, 1990 and 1991, three quite special pro-am competitions were held at Badgemore Park. This was in the early days of what was to become the European Tour and touring pros regularly teed it up with club professionals. Notable players in 1989 were Bernard Gallacher, Barry Lane, Paul Way, Roger Chapman and Jamie Spence. In 1990, Bernard Gallacher and Paul Way returned and were joined by Brian Barnes and Craig Defoy. Paul Way returned once more in 1991 and was joined by Tommy Horton, Malcolm Gregson and Guy Hunt. It is interesting to note that Bernard came out the winner in his two appearances, sharing first place in 1989 with Mark Howell and Peter Harrison. Roger Chapman commented that the third hole was the hardest that he’d ever played! Mickey Walker Mickey Walker visited Badgemore in February 2002 to give a talk to the ladies. Mickey was a ladies professional who
LEFT: BADGEMORE IN 1972
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