COULSDON COURT VETERANS GOLF CLUB
The Coulsdon Court Veterans Golf Club is looking forward to celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. Founded in 1949 by Frank Fidler of Stoats Nest Village, it is based at Coulsdon Manor Hotel & Golf Course. Frank’s idea was to start a club for local men of senior years where they could socialise and play golf. Many original members would have been ex-servicemen. The club has grown from the original twenty-eight to the present sixty members. And the ethos of playing golf and socialising still stands to this day as Frank had planned.
The Coulsdon Manor course was originally laid out in the 1920s by top PGA designer Harry S Colt, who designed many courses including Sunningdale and Royal Lytham & St Annes, a regular British Open venue. Renowned for its variety of trees in a beautiful setting, the course is basically level (a much-appreciated contrast to many local courses) while challenging, enhanced by a recent redesign of certain course features. The Manor House provides a warm, relaxing ‘19th hole’.
Frank Fidler was the first club captain and served in the role for six years. Over the following seventy-five there have been a further fifty-seven captains. Each year the captain chooses a charity for the club to support. For example, recently McMillan, Prostate Cancer, GOSH have been supported and next year we are looking to support Club Soda which helps local people with learning disabilities. Funds are raised throughout the year by members taking part in various activities, this year for example the captain played a gruelling four rounds of golf in one day with our professional. Over its lifetime, the Club has raised approaching £250,000 at today’s prices for charitable causes.
The club has reserved tee times on Monday mornings. There are monthly medals. trophy and knock out competitions with individual prizes and played to World Handicap System and England Golf and Surrey Golf requirements. There are also Monday social games and the informal “roll-up” every Thursday morning provides more opportunity for social golf. Throughout the year there is a programme of matches against other local clubs. Teams for these events are not picked on a handicap basis but designed to give all members an equal chance to take part. Outings to other golf courses are also arranged, the chosen venue reflecting the preference of club members.
In summary, the club has a rich history, a distinguished home course and a strong membership characterised by camaraderie, mutual support, fun, friendship and the enjoyment of golf. If you are interested in joining a friendly competitive club and getting involved in varied golfing activities you should contact ccvgc2020@gmail.com.
George Paulson
President CCVGC
November 2023