Brief History of Temple Golf Club. - 9th May 2005

The Temple Links, as the course was first known, was designed in 1909 by Willie Park Junior. In 1901 he had designed two nearby courses, Sunningdale and Huntercombe, and was the first to go into print on golf course design. A Captain G MacDonald (late Grenadier Guards) realised the potential in 'this 140 acres of the well known and beautiful Temple Park, situated on the right bank of the Thames...' and formed a Company to run the new golf club.

The course was described in the first handbook as 'consisting, more or less, of a series of ridges which have been skilfully utilised so that, whilst unnecessary fatigue is avoided, there is very little that is flat or uninteresting.' The hilly chalk lands ensured - and still do - excellent drainage and a course that hardly ever had to close due to adverse conditions. Many specimen trees had been planted in Temple Park during the 19th century and these were integrated into the course design.

During the early part of the twentieth century the greenkeeper's tools were sickles, scythes, forks and spades with fairway mowing equipment drawn by horses. The old stable still stands in the woods behind the 16th tee. Sheep grazed the hillsides. A local farmer cut and baled the hay and this encouraged an abundance of flora, including six different varieties of orchids.

Advances in technology and changing fashions in golf course design and management have brought about many detailed changes in course presentation. In the early 70s, the demand for lushness was unstoppable and a green pop-up irrigation system was installed at Temple. American style golf was beginning to have an effect on members who were demanding the greener greens and softer fairways they were seeing at courses lie Augusta.

The boom in golf and more effective winter clothing was leading to more rounds being played and to greater damage in the non-growing season. The old English hay meadows were being cut back and intensive mowing led to losses of flora and fauna. These developments were common to most clubs in the country, Temple was far from unique.

It was decided that a survey be commissioned by the Sports Turf Research Institute, STRI. Also Donald Steel, Course Architect, reported on the design needs of the course on a hole by hole basis. These two surveys have led to significant changes in the design of the course. Meadow rough has been re-introduced and with it the orchids are again able to flourish.

Maintenance techniques have all been much improved and in 1999 Temple became the national winner of the BIGGA Golf Environment Competition (British & International Golf Green Keepers Association). This is awarded for outstanding achievement in reconciling golf course management and environmental protection.

Temple has returned to being a classic, English downland course. The course maintenance policy is for careful and sympathetic management in keeping with its chalk downland environment.

Improvements will continue to be made in the light of new technology. For example, the winter of 2003/2004 saw the installation of a new computer controlled irrigation system for tees and greens. GPS siting of sprinkler heads along with the unique data held about each one including shade, soil type etc. ensures that optimum watering results.

Most importantly Temple remains and will continue to remain true to the spirit of Willie Park Junior's links style design. It wins the admiration and respect of all who play on it and enjoy the panoramic views which attracted Captain MacDonald way back in 1909.

Related Links

• http://www.templegolfclub.co.uk

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