The Richmond Golf Club, located within 10 miles from the centre of London, was founded in 1891 and originally laid out by Tom Dunn. One of the oldest hidden gems in the London area, the private member club has hosted matches that have included, amongst others, Willie Park, James Braid and more recently Tom Watson.
A beautiful Portland Stone Manor House, designed by James Gibbs, welcomes the Private Members and visitors alike. The course, now well into its centenary, has a variety of lovely golf holes, and could be described to have charm and quirk, but it is the peace and quiet of the course and the adjacent Richmond Park that is one of its best assets. The Club was a close witness of the Second World War, when in 1940 the Club had rules such as No. 7:
"A player whose stroke is affected by the simultaneous explosion of a bomb may play another ball from the same place. Penalty, one stroke."
Over time, the bunkering, strategically and aesthetically, has suffered from a lack of careful consideration and is restricting the Course from playing to its full potential. TPL have designed and are going to implement a pilot project to determine the viability of renovating the entire course. TPL are extremely excited for what lies ahead.
Construction works to phase one bunkers to commence Autumn 2010. Detail design work ongoing.
Richmond Golf Club website: www.therichmondgolfclub.com.
