Royal Ascot Golf Club

Ascot Golf Club was founded by local Barrister F.J. Patton in 1887, and given Royal status by Queen Victoria later that year. Many of her children learned to play golf at Royal Ascot and The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, was patron of the club in 1901. At first, Royal Ascot GC and Ascot Ladies’ GC each had a nine-hole course on Ascot Heath in the middle of the racecourse. In 1895 the two clubs amalgamated and a new 18-hole course was designed by J.H. Taylor, then holder of the Open Championship which he won five times. Joseph Longhurst was appointed the first club professional in 1916. Royal Ascot celebrated its "125th Anniversary year" during 2012 and is the oldest golf club in the area, dating back to 1887. But it now plays on one of the newest and best courses in Berkshire, having moved from its old course on Ascot Heath in the middle of the racecourse in 2005.