Pyecombe Golf Club was designed by renowed golfer and architect James Braid and was formally opened on the 6th October 1894 using much of the same terrain as we see today.
The layout was 2,500 yards shorter than today’s course and the longest hole was only 330 yards. Soon after the opening of the Club, work began on building the Clubhouse and although not completely finished, was opened without ceremony on Saturday 19th January 1895.
Founder member and the President of Pyecombe Golf Club in 1894.
William Campion owned the Danny Estate and lived in Danny House, Hurstpierpoint. He was the quintessential old school English country gentleman.
Having served in the Crimean War 1854-1856 and the Indian Mutiny 1857-1858 he was appointed as a JP in 1863, chairing the magistrates bench at Haywards Heath until shortly before his death.
This image dipicts him as Colonel of the Fourth Royal Sussex Regiment and is displayed in Danny House.
Walter Wooler, with the obligitaory jacket and ‘fag’ was the mainstay of the club during most of the inter-war years (1919-1939).
‘Wally’ as he was known was the son of a Pyecombe Shepherd and acted as Club Professional, Steward and Greenkeeper. In fact he constituted the entire green staff. The fairways were maintained by grazing sheep and the greens cut with a hand mower.
In those days there was no bar in the clubhouse and Wally would take the stock home each evening and return it in the morning. The club had no running water and it was Wally’s responsibility as steward to carry or arrange carrying of daily water to the clubhouse.
On April 9th 1942 golf ceased temporarily at Pyecombe because the club, then owned by the crown, was requisitioned by the War Department and used as a tank training area for the military.
Home guard training was conducted on the course with the instructors being the Princess Patricia's Canadian light infantry.
In July 1948 the golf course was reinstated.The cost to reopen the club was £8,650, with the war department paying £6,933 of this cost as compensation.
At the time the subscription rate was 8 guineas (£8.40!)
The famous golf commentator, journalist and author joined Pyecombe in March 1954, aged 45. He remained a member of the club for the rest of his life and became president of the club for three years until his death.
His most tangible legacy is his putter, housed on an oak bracket above the bar and played for every year in a cross country golf event.
Along with his wife, Henry bought the Clayton Windmills Jack & Jill (visible form the 16th & 17th Holes) in July 1953.
Henry has many famous quotes, our favourite being...
"They say practice makes perfect. Of course it doesn't. For the vast majority of golfers it merely consolidates imperfection!"
In 1982, the golf course was extended with 3 new holes built on the north side of the South Downs Way. The Old 18th, which led to the clubhouse has now been reconfigured as a short game practice area - for tuition purposes.
The most recent years has seen the club consolidate its position as a leading downland golf course with improvements both on the course and in the clubhouse.
In 2004 Donald Steele, a respected golf course architect, recommended improvements to the layout and course features. He recommended to re-design bunkers at the 5th & 8th holes and new tees at the 6th, 8th & 10th holes thereby extending the course to nearly 6,300 yards.
Pyecombe golf club continues to thrive and has won several accolades over the last 10 years including Envivonmental Golf Club of the year, and Southern Countries Golf Club of the year.