Visiting Dunham Forest Golf & Country Club today, it’s hard to believe that as recently as 1960, this splendid course was little more than a collection of huts and a concrete parade ground.

The US Army had also used the original 90 acres as an Italian prisoner of war camp. Due to the founding members of the Club having difficulty joining other local clubs, Leslie Glass, the first Club President, obtained an agreement from the landowner, Lord Stamford, to develop a Golf Course.

Initially, a nine-hole course was constructed and officially opened on 11th June 1961. Alex Hay, the first Professional, well expressed the atmosphere of those days:

What I remember most was that every day was exciting. So much was being achieved, progress was being made, traditions were being set, and Membership was binding together. Still, most of all, there was a great sense of fun, and laughter was commonplace

The Club purchased a derelict house called “Tirbracken” to refurbish it as a Clubhouse. However, the renovation costs were so high that the Club decided to demolish the building. The present Clubhouse, designed by John Day, was built on the same site and was opened in September 1963.

In 1965, an extra six holes were constructed. After Alex Hay left, the then Club Captain, Archie Preston, enticed Ryder Cup player Dave Thomas to Dunham as the new Professional. The course later became 18 holes after Bernard Terry negotiated with Lord Stamford for extra land. After the death of Lord Stamford, the National Trust assumed ownership of the land, and the Club continues to rent the land from them to this day.