A superb weekend was had by all celebrating the Club's 130th birthday at the Founders Day Supper and Quiz on Saturday 26th, followed by the Pro's Hickory Challenge on Sunday 27th. Thank you to all those who came and helped make these two very popular events a great success.
Pro’s Hickory Challenge - Sunday 27th January
The Club took a step back in time, to the Edwardian era, with its annual Hickory Golf Challenge on Sunday. This annual fun event takes place early in the golfing calendar to help commemorate the Club’s official Founders Day, with 2019 being its 130th Anniversary year. The founders were men of some means including the Earl of Rosebery, a former Vice President, later to become Prime Minister of Britain.
Stuart, dressed in Plus 4’s and using hickory-shafted clubs, pitted himself against the testing Downs course. He played with the Club's President Sidney French, Men’s Captain Alan Bradbrook and Ladies Captain Julie Burgess (pictured).
Conditions were testing, cold and very blustery, however the course was in great condition, with all 18 holes in play. The turnout was excellent, in excess of 80 club members, with many dressed in period attire, who set off at the 8.30am shotgun start, on a quest to beat the Pro. Because the members use their own clubs they played to ¾ of their handicap in a medal format, with a few challenges on the way.
It was a tough challenge, stiff, unforgiving hickory shafts versus modern flexible, technically tried and tested equipment, with members having the unique opportunity to try out hickory clubs during the event. 
The day was concluded with a great atmosphere in the historic Clubhouse, where all the members were invited to the presentation. Congratulations to all the prize winners, including those that beat the Pro and received a special memento. The overall winner of the event was Past Captain Adrian Northeast.