Centenary and beyond

In mid-2006 a large marquee arose on the overflow car park, with associated temporary catering and toilet facilities.  On Saturday 17 June it accommodated a Grand Summer Ball, the culmination of a full week of competitions and events to celebrate the club's centenary.  In fine weather, members and their partners – nearly 300 persons all told – assembled in their finery.  The main guest speaker of the evening was the comedian and broadcaster, Tim Brooke-Taylor. 

It was another symbolic echo of the past that the former 'Goodie' should get the birthday festivities underway.  It was his grandfather who was described earlier, playing the first ever shot at the course at its official opening in 1907.

The club's 100-year history was chronicled in the book on which this extract is based.  Barry Kay, a tireless servant of Matlock Golf Club and County and Regional golf in general, wrote it after meticulous research.  Every centenary member received a complimentary copy.  His work made this author's task mightily easier.  Sadly, Barry passed away suddenly in January 2009. 

In the second decade of the new millennium, what would our founding members think of their club now? 

The fundamental character of the course is unchanged, but with the advances in green keeping skills and technology, they would probably consider it manicured by comparison.  They would be astonished at the prodigious distances the modern golf ball and equipment can make possible, but they would recognise that their course still has a sting in the tail for those who think they can simply overpower it. 

We hope too that they would see a club still close to its founding principles:

• Reflecting and adding to its local community
• Keen on promoting the game of golf to all with sections for gentlemen, ladies and juniors
• Welcoming of visitors from other clubs and indeed other lands

The aspect that would perhaps satisfy them most would be the club's continued willingness to invest with an eye to future generations as much as the current.  As this short history is incorporated onto our new website, we have secured outline planning permission for a covered and floodlit practice range on the grounds adjacent to the clubhouse.  It will provide a facility for the community at large, promoting the benefits of this great game of ours.  The next update of these pages will hopefully document its formal opening.