History of Hampton Court Palace Golf Club formally 'Home Park'
May 1893
With the gracious consent of her Majesty Queen Victoria, the Home Park of Hampton Court Palace was opened to the public on Whit Monday.
1895
January 8th
Sixteen gentlemen met at Hampton Wick Board School and agreed to seek the Office of Works permission to construct a 9 hole golf course in Home Park.
Decided that the Mayor of Kingston and the chairman of Thames Ditton U.D.C. be asked to support the project.
A plan showing a possible site within the park and a draft text for a memorial to be presented to the Office of Works, were agreed. Also resolved that the Chairman of surrounding District and Parish Councils be asked to sign the petition.
Resolved to ask the secretary of H.M. Office of Works to receive a deputation to present the memorial. H.M. Office of Works was informed that the Kingston Rate Payers Association had withdrawn its opposition to golf being played in the park. An alternative site to that suggested by the First Commissioner was put forward by the “Club”.
April 27th
First Commissioner of Works regretted he was unable to agree to the alternative site as the Master of House would not allow golf to be played during his tenancy of the piece of land in question. The Committee agreed to accept the site originally offered by the First Commissioner.
May 24th
Decision reached to form a golf club to be called “ Home Park Golf Club”.
July 9th
Office of Works gave permission for a nine hole course to be constructed at the west side of the park, but no play on Saturdays. (Sunday play was never considered).
August 20th
Permission received for Saturday play. Ladies admitted to membership.
October 14th
First Professional/Green keeper engaged at £1 a week.
November 9th
Extract from the Surrey Comet: “Play was commenced on the links in Home Park on Wednesday afternoon”.
December
The Office of Works refused the club permission to build a bungalow style clubhouse.
1896
March
The club erected a shed as a store, clubhouse and green keeper’s store. Mr. George Harrison J.P., Club Captain, presented a cup for a Bogey competition, on handicap. The first club trophy. Mr. F. Heywood presented the “ Heywood Challenge Bowl” for a “Scratch” competition.
May 23rd
Formal opening of the clubhouse.
June
Ladies links opened. Men’s first Monthly Medal Competition held. First reported burglary at the club.
August
Ladies links closed because, “it did not meet with satisfaction”.
October 7th
First Annual General Meeting. The Committee reported a debit balance of £54-19-0.
November
First Inter-Club match v Surbiton G.C. lost by seventeen holes to seven. Handicaps fourteen and over.
December
The club sought permission to construct a further nine holes between the existing course and the Long Water. Despite many approaches to the Office of Works, it was not until….
1904
May 6th
That the club was notified that, following an approach by the Mayor of Surbiton, the golf course could be extended to eighteen holes.
1910
October 12th
Clubhouse destroyed by fire. Annual General Meeting held in tent nearby.
1911
February
Committee Meeting held in new bungalow style clubhouse.
1931
May
George Lansbury, First Commissioner of the Office of Works in the Labour Government of the day, visited the club and decided the course was suitable for public ownership.
He instructed the club to reduce the green fees to the level of those of Richmond Park public course immediately.
June
George Lansbury confirmed his decision to place the course under Public Control.
July
Representations to the Office of Works regarding the financial affairs of the club resulted in the club being granted six months to wind up its affairs after 31st August, the end of its financial year.
1932
February
A change of Government saved the club when the new First Commissioner reversed the decision of his predecessor.
1952
Sunday play permitted by gracious permission of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
1977
November 24th
Clubhouse destroyed by fire.
December
Temporary Clubhouse 100ft x 20ft erected near the old site.
Department of the Environment required the new clubhouse to be brick built.
1978
March
Golf Club informed that the Directorate of Ancient Monuments and Historic Buildings intended to restore the avenue of lime trees within the park to the design of King Charles II. As a consequence, another site for the new clubhouse would have to be found and they suggested an area between Kingston Gate Avenue and the Water Meadows.
The golf club put forward alternative sites closer to the golf course, but these were rejected by the Directorate. Meanwhile, work progressed with the architect’s plan and the estimates.
August
At an extraordinary General Meeting the members approved the Committee’s proposed plans for the new clubhouse.
1979
April 20th
Final approval of the architect’s plans having been received from the D.O.E. and the local authorities, the building contract was signed.
Foundations started on the site allotted by the DO.E.
1980
New Clubhouse was completed.
2001
January
Historic Royal Palaces elect to put golf facilities operation out to tender.
February 28th
Home Park is closed to members and visitors due to the foot and mouth outbreak.
April 10th
Home Park is re-opened.
September 1st
American Golf (UK) Ltd took up the operation of the golf facilities at Home Park, formed the new club, Hampton Court Palace Golf Club and undertook to make considerable improvements to the course and build a new clubhouse. The members of Home Park Golf Club were invited to join the new club and 400 decided to do so.
2002
August 9th
After many months of consultation with the Palace, English Heritage and Richmond Borough Council, planning consent granted for the construction of a new clubhouse.
September 16th
Construction of new clubhouse commenced.
2003
September 3rd
Construction completed and doors are opened to members.
September 8th
Six week demolition of old clubhouse commenced. Building remnants are buried under practice area.
