Basingstoke

With its roots dating back to 1907 and a rudimentary nine-hole course close to what is now the town centre, Basingstoke Golf Club has enjoyed a long evolution before settling in to its exciting new home less than two years ago. It is now situated on a gently undulating and perhaps surprisingly peaceful parcel of downland just south of the M3 in Hampshire. And while the club's new course is just a well-struck drive from its previous 15th green, in

- 

virtually every other respect it is really a million miles away.

A happy coincidence

During the Great War, the original course was used as a training airfield, which led to the need for a new home in the 1920s. The great James Braid, winner of five Open Championships, was enlisted to design a full 18-hole course at Kempshott Park. It opened in 1928 and the par-70, tree-lined course remained Basingstoke’s home until the opportunity to sell the land for housing arose five years ago.