The Club was formed in 1894 as Blackmore Vale Golf Club, sited on common land at Lenthay, to the west of Sherborne. It was a nine holes course and shared its location with other "Commoners" and their assorted livestock. 40 members attended the inauguration of the infant Club. Officers and a Committee were elected.
Extract from the local newspaper, 1st February, 1895.
'The Golf Club - The first annual meeting of this Club was held on Saturday in "The Pound" at the School House, the Headmaster, Rev. F.B. Westcott presiding.- The officers and Committee were re-elected.
Mr. Hodgson having resigned the post of green-keeper, Dr. Atkinson was appointed to fill the place, Mr. Hodgson supplanting Dr.Atkinson on the Committee.
The accounts were presented by the Hon. Treasurer (Mr. Backhouse), and showed a total income of sixty-six pounds and fourteen shillings, twenty pounds of which had been subscribed by some of the members towards the improvement of the Course. The expenditure amounted to seventy five pounds, five shillings and eight pence, showing a deficit of three pounds, eleven shillings and eight pence, against which must be set off the value of the house and other Club property.
The Committee must have worked hard to get the course and greens into their present satisfactory condition, having had to overcome many natural obstacles and difficulties due to the extremely sporting nature of the ground. The result must be gratifying to the management from the fact that a number of neighbouring golfers have intimated a wish to join the Club.'
There would appear to have been some disagreement concerning priorities on the "Common" land so the Lord of the Manor withdrew his permission for it to be used as a golf course. Personal injury insurance was probably not available to "Commoners" in those days, or perhaps the occasional damage to livestock from wayward golf balls was of more concern.
In 1910, land at Clatcombe Farm, just 2 miles uphill from Sherborne town, was made available to the Club and a 9 holes course was designed and built there. It was established on the site of our present 12th to 18th holes, together with the land to the right of our 12th fairway.
In 1911, the Club moved from Lenthay to its new location at Clatcombe.
The scale of charges were " Greenfees 3/6, week-ends 5/-, week 15/-, month 30/-, 3 months 2gns., "Country Membership" was interpreted as being over 15 miles from Sherborne; fees Men 2gns., Ladies 31/6.
The Club evidently prospered, more land was made available to rent from the Digby Estate and it was decided to build a full size, 18 holes course.
In 1936, the leading golf course architect was Mr. James Braid, the five times English Open Champion, so he was invited to design the 18 holes lay out. Construction was entrusted to the firm of J.R.Strutt of Paisley and the all new Sherborne Golf Club was on its way.
To inaugurate the new course and perhaps to demonstrate the quality of the design, James Braid and Club member Meredith Thomas played against the England player, Ernest Whitcombe and the Dorset County Club secretary, Lance Luffman.
Whitcombe and Luffman were the victors with a Whitcombe "Eagle" on the last hole. The scratch score was 73.The best individual score was 61.
Unfortunately, in 1939, war interrupted the enjoyment of the new course. Not only were the demands of the armed forces and munitions factories diminishing the Club membership, but agricultural needs required our land. The course reverted to 9 holes.
After the war, club members and others laboured long to reclaim the 18 holes course and the Clubhouse.
Unfortunately, in 1955, the Clubhouse became a casualty of this well meaning but largely amateur effort and was burnt down. The archives were incinerated. (The committee would appreciate any historical material, whether verbal, transcribed, photographic or in any other way recorded).
A new Clubhouse was built and subsequently enlarged.
In 1959, to celebrate the restoration of the par 70 course, the Club was honoured by a fine group of players in Dai Rees, Bernard Hunt, Peter Alliss and John Jacobs who demonstrated the art of golf with scores of 64 - 65 - 66 & 66 respectively.
In 1991, the Clubhouse was further enlarged.
In 2000, the members of the Club voted to make substantial changes to the course. Howard Swan, of Golf Designs, was retained, with J Ely Ltd being awarded the construction contract. Though more challenging to the accomplished, it remains enjoyable for even the least talented of us.
During this period the Club also undertook a major refurbishment of the Ladies and Gents Locker Rooms.
The Course is laid out over undulating terrain and has a wealth and variety of mature trees. Effort is now being directed towards further environmental improvements but the setting is little changed from the time Braid planted his bush in the middle of the 5th fairway. You will still need to know where to look from the first nine holes to see a building. To the North, Glastonbury Tor remains the same, the Mendips and Cheddar are distinguishable and on a really clear day you may see beyond the Bristol Channel to Wales. New since Braid but fascinating is the often impressive aerial activity from Yeovilton.
With a new irrigation system, new drainage and new equipment, our all new team of greenkeepers,- single figure golfers the lot-, take a pride in demonstrating how a golf course should be presented throughout the year.
There is also a well stocked shop, an exceptional professional, and an extensive Golf Academy with chipping, pitching and bunker practice greens