My warmest welcome to all visitors to our website, whether you are existing members, interested in joining Barrow Hills Golf Club, or planning to come and play in the company of one of our members.

As President, I am pleased to have this opportunity of letting you know a little about our past and how we came into existence.

The Golf Course is located on land within the Test Track of a former Ministry of Defence military vehicle research and development establishment. The course is overlooked by a mansion which was until 2000 the Officers’ Mess for the serving military officers. For many years residents of the mess would practice their golf in part of the grounds which were set aside as military sports facilities.

In the late summer of 1969 Major Geoffrey Mason approached the Establishment Director with the proposal that a golf course might be built. Approval was granted with the proviso that the golf club would be open to all staff members. Over the next few months many military and civilian volunteers worked to construct the Course.

The inauguration of the Club was on 30th May 1970. During the opening ceremony Brigadier Pierson, our first President stated it was one of the few projects at the Establishment that had actually finished on time and that in 36 years of soldiering he had never come across such co-operation between military and civilians and it was his hope that it would continue in the same vein. Indeed his wishes came to fruition and that co-operation has happily continued.

We started with 70 members, over the years our membership grew as the news of our success spread, however staff numbers reduced and membership rules were relaxed to permit some friends and relatives of members to join. With the effective closure of the Establishment we had to look to the future and we now welcome other people who wish to enjoy golf on our challenging Course. This widening of our membership has enriched the Club and we have made many new friends, to the point that we now have over 300 members.

In 2004 we were granted a lease granting us tenancy of the Course, the buildings and the Tennis Courts and we hope play will continue for many years to come.

In 1992 after 22 years on the Committee including five years as Club Secretary and three years as Captain I retired from the Establishment and was obliged to stand down and although that marked the end of my direct involvement I remain an active supporter of this wonderful Club. My appointment as Vice-President came in 1999 and in 2004 I was invited to become President.

I am proud to be the only remaining founder member still playing and honoured to be the Club President. I view the future for Barrow Hills Golf Club with much optimism.

John Emms