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History of our Golf Club

Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club was founded in 1880, which makes it one of the oldest Golf Clubs in England.

One of our first professionals was Willie Fernie, who was the British Open Champion in 1883 and went on to be the longest serving Professional at Royal Troon.

The Martello course is named after the Martello Tower, which sits proudly alongside the 17th green. The Tower, which served as the Clubhouse for the first four years, dates back to Napoleonic times and is a unique feature of the course.

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Views across the Deben Estuary feature Bawdsey Manor, where Radar was invented in the 1940’s. The Bawdsey Gold Medal, presented to the Club upon its formation in 1880, is one of the oldest trophies in England and is still keenly competed for each summer.

In 1948 the course was redesigned by 3 times Open Champion Henry Cotton and Sir Guy Campbell.

In 2018 the Club was awarded England Golf’s prestigious award of ‘Championship Venue of the Year 2017’ after successfully hosting the English Women’s County Finals.

Felixstowe ferry golf club timeline

Scroll down and click a date to learn more about the clubs rich history

1880

On August Bank Holiday, a group from the London Scottish and Wimbledon Golf Clubs plays for a gold medal (now known as the Bawdsey Gold Medal) on holes cut on Bawdsey Common.

After another days golf on the Common and dinner at the Bath Hotel, the Felixstowe Golf Club is formerly constituted on the 30th October.

Tom Dunn, the Wimbledon professional, lays out a 15 hole course, 3 holes played twice, (later, for safety reasons, to be reduced to a 9 hole course) and a lease is secured for the Martello Tower to become the first Clubhouse.

1881
1883

The first matches take place, against Cambridge University Golf Club and the recently established Great Yarmouth Golf Club , a fixture that continues to this day.

Willie Fernie the British Open Champion, is appointed as the Professional, a position he is to hold for three years.

Local landowner and Club Patron Colonel Tomline offers the lease of the current Clubhouse, built in 1843, to the Club, an offer enthusiastically accepted by the committee and members.

The Club prospers attracting many eminent members, including the Rt Hon A.J. Balfour, Club Captain 1889, Captain of the R&A 1894, and Prime Minister 1902-1905.

1884
1914

The club is closed and handed over to the military and is used as a rifle range. The Clubhouse becomes the Officer’s Mess.

A group of distinguished enthusiasts headed by JD Cobbold employ architects Colt, MacKenzie and Allison to rebuild the course and extend it to 18 holes.

Arthur Monk is appointed Professional and is to remain in the post for 17 years.

1920
1922

James Braid redesigns 4 holes.

The freehold of the course is purchased.

1931
1936

Agreement reached with the Commoners for the future use of part of the land.

Land containing the then 10th and 11th holes (now Clifflands car park) is sold to help with finances and allow development of new holes on the landward side of the course.

1937
1939

Wealthy member Herbert Garratt purchases the club from the Members, thus converting the Club to a proprietary club for a period of time.

At the outset of World War Two the club is requisitioned by the military. This includes housing troops in the Clubhouse and the WRNS conducting the highly secretive Operation Outward on the links.

Local builder Walter Cross saves the club from closing when he purchases the club from the Herbert Garratt estate. The Club becomes Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club and construction of a new course, designed by Henry Cotton and Sir Guy Campbell, is begun.

1948
1950

Delayed by serious flooding in 1949, the course is officially reopened on 10th June, with an exhibition match involving Henry Cotton and Reginald Knight against Max Faulkner and Cecil Denny.

The course is completely inundated in the East Coast floods of January and closes for many weeks. Neighbouring Clubs offer their courses free of charge in order to keep the Club going.

1953
1965

The club is returned to a private members club when the trustees purchase the club from the estate of the late Walter Cross.

The Club hosts the East Anglian Open Championship.

1976
1980

The Club celebrates its Centenary in style, retaining the Tolly Cobbold Cup (a County Championship) and once again hosting the East Anglian Open Championship.

Ian Macpherson is appointed as the Professional and is to become the longest serving Professional at the club (31 years).

Club member Julie Wade represents GB&I against the USA in the Curtis Cup; she is to play in four more Curtis Cups.

1988
1990

Julie (now Hall) wins the British Ladies Amateur Championship, a feat she repeats in 1995.

Her vastly successful golf career included winning the Australian, Spanish, Welsh and Scottish Amateur Championships during the 90’s.

Club Member Jo Woodward (nee Hockley) wins the British Ladies Strokeplay Championship and represents GB&I in the World Team Championship (Espirito Santo) winning a silver medal. In 1996 she went on to win both the English and Scottish Amateur Championships.

1992
1993

The Club hosts the England Golf – South Eastern Group Seniors Championship.

Club Members Julie Hall and Jo Woodward both represent GB&I on the winning Vagliano Team (GB&I versus the Continent of Europe).

The Club acquires additional land and establishes a large practice area.

1994
1997

The Club acquires further land and constructs the attractive, full-length 9- hole Kingsfleet course.

Holes 13, 14 and 15 are redesigned by acclaimed golf course architect Martin Hawtree.

2007
2012

Robert Joyce is appointed as the Head Professional.

The redesigned Professional Shop is opened by Pat Monk, the daughter of Arthur Monk, Club Professional in 1920 for 17 years; Pat was born in the flat above the shop.

The Club again hosts the England Golf – South Eastern Group Seniors Championship.

17 year old Club Member Paul Waring becomes European Deaf Golf Champion, a title he is to win three times in succession, as well as winning a silver medal for Great Britain at the Deaflympics in 2017.

2013
2017

The Club hosts a National Competition, the England Women’s County Finals and is subsequently awarded EGU Championship Venue status.

The Club opens a state of the art driving range and practice facility.

The Club is awarded the prestigious “Championship Venue of the Year” by England Golf.

2018
2025

The Club embarks on building a new state of the art Clubhouse, Cafe and Events Venue overlooking the 18th green and the Deben Estuary.