Churchill and Blakedown’s golfing legacy began as a few holes in the old cricket pitch near Churchill Pool. The idea of introducing golf to the Blakedown area of Worcestershire first appealed to a man called Charles Faux in 1926.
At that time, golf was played mainly by the gentry and the middle classes. However, Charles (pictured below), encouraged by the fact that his proposals generated some interest, founded Churchill and Blakedown golf club that same year. Still in its early days, the land was sub-leased and still carried the right to graze cattle and sheep!
The original course was designed by Mr W Bingham, and the first clubhouse was an old iron shed! At some time in the 1930s this was updated with an old cricket pavilion purchased from a local cricket club.
During the Second World War golf continued to be played… even when military equipment by way of a searchlight battery was located between the 1st and 2nd holes!
From 1945, club membership began to grow, and new members had to scrape together the equivalent of £1.55 in today’s money to join. Soon after a professional was appointed, Pop Taylor, who travelled by train or bus from Dudley, although, we’re told, he often walked! During the post war period, when petrol rationing was still in force, club teams travelled by bus to play neighbouring clubs!
At the time, the club had no greenkeeping staff, so the course was maintained by the members themselves! They were assigned one green to look after on a weekly basis, and a fine was imposed for any shirking the work. The fairways were cut by towing a gang mower behind a member’s Land Rover!
Around 1947, a much-needed roadway was constructed to enable members to bring their cars to the clubhouse, creating a link between the bottom and top of the course.
A second design saw the course lengthened to 5,399 yards with a par of 68 and shortly after this expansion, members were able to purchase the land from Lord Cobham.
In 1986, more land was acquired and the new course, mainly as we know it today, was designed with a measurement of 6,472 yards and a par of 72. Subsequent minor alterations have resulted in a length of 6,469 yards.
Over the years, the clubhouse has seen numerous changes, mostly by extending. By 2004, it was decided to completely rebuild the facilities and in 2021, the entire clubhouse interior was refurbished! As for the pro-shop, a state-of-the-art swing studio was added in 2016 and in 2025 was updated to the recent specifications.
Today, the club has a full team of dedicated and talented greenkeepers, an efficiently run administration office, a full team of golf professionals, and a first-class bar and catering team.
To think over the period of 100 years, the course has developed from a few holes on a cricket pitch to the splendid course we enjoy today!
Much is owed to those early entrepreneurs and resolute members, who ensured that today, Churchill and Blakedown Golf Club is a leading members club in the Worcestershire area.
