Club History
It was Commander George Hillyard who conceived the idea of a golf club on sandy farmland at Wiggonholt near Pulborough. His house overlooked an area of heather and marsh which he thought would make an idyllic setting for a natural course. How right he was! This land was subsequently purchased by the Ravenscroft and Henderson families and then leased to the newly formed West Sussex Golf Club.
Nestled amidst the serene heathland of Wiggonholt near Pulborough, West Sussex Golf Club—affectionately known as Pulborough—stands as a testament to visionary ambition and timeless design. Since its official opening in 1931, the club has garnered acclaim as one of England’s most esteemed inland courses.
The inception of the club traces back to 1928 when Commander George Hillyard, a distinguished sportsman and former Wimbledon competitor, relocated to the area. Recognizing the potential of the sandy terrain known as “Roundabouts and Hurston Warren,” Hillyard envisioned a premier golf course that would harmonize with the natural landscape. His foresight was instrumental in transforming this vision into reality.
To bring this vision to fruition, Hillyard enlisted the expertise of the renowned architectural firm Links & Courses Ltd., led by Sir Guy Campbell, Major C.K. Hutchison, and Colonel S.V. Hotchkin. Their collaborative efforts culminated in a design that seamlessly integrated with the undulating terrain, incorporating native heather, fescue grasses, and the area’s characteristic sandy soil. Construction commenced in April 1929, and by August 1930, the course was completed. The official opening took place on April 25, 1931, marked by a ceremonial drive from the era’s leading female golfer, Joyce Wethered.
The course itself is a par-68 layout, stretching over 6,300 yards. Despite its seemingly modest length, it presents a formidable challenge, featuring seven par-4 holes exceeding 400 yards and two par-3s over 200 yards. The design emphasizes strategic play, with bunkers thoughtfully positioned along optimal lines of approach, rewarding precision over sheer power. The sixth hole, a daunting 224-yard downhill par-3 over a pond, exemplifies the course’s demand for accuracy and nerve.
Beyond its architectural merits, the course is celebrated for its natural beauty. The fairways meander through groves of oak, silver birch, and pine, while vibrant heather and gorse add seasonal splashes of color. The sandy subsoil ensures excellent drainage, allowing for year-round playability, a feature that has long distinguished West Sussex from other courses in the region.
Throughout its history, West Sussex Golf Club has maintained a commitment to preserving the integrity of its original design while embracing thoughtful enhancements. Notably, Commander Hillyard himself oversaw significant modifications in the early 1930s, including the reshaping of bunkers and the construction of new tees, further refining the course’s strategic elements.
Today, West Sussex Golf Club continues to uphold its storied legacy, offering golfers an experience that marries historical significance with enduring challenge. Its reputation as a “little sandy jewel set in the Sussex clay,” as once described by golf writer Bernard Darwin, remains well-earned, inviting players to partake in a round steeped in tradition and natural splendor.
