History
Bognor Regis Golf Club has a fascinating history, one we are proud of!

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Chronology

Bognor Regis Golf Club has a long and fascinating history which will only add to the sense of occasion when you play our beautiful course. We hope you find the below Chronology interesting to read and get a feel of Bognor's heritage as a golf club and golf in general in Bognor Regis.

When the club celebrated its Centenary year in 1992, longstanding member Mr Gordon Beale produced a fascinating book documenting the development of golf in Bognor Regis, which is available to read in the Clubhouse.

Our Clubhouse has a large amount of honors boards. Alongside these honors boards are photos and historical memorabilia associated with Bognor Regis Golf Club.

We hope that all golfers coming to play, will enjoy our golf course and be warmed by our heritage.

See below timeline of significant events at throughout Bognor Regis Golf Club's history.

Date History
1892 Club was first formed in the centre of Bognor Regis, approximately 1.5 miles from its current location.
1893 First Trophies were being played for at Bognor Regis Golf Club. The ladies played for a gold bangle & the men for a tobacco box & silver cigarette box.
1905 Bognor Regis Golf Club, reformed as a nine-hole course, open to all, on the banks of the River Rife between Bognor and Felpham.
1922 Play commenced at the new 18 hole course at Downview Road (current location).
1923 Official ceremonial opening of the new 18 hole course took place, with the first ball being driven by Sir William Bird, M.P.
1923-1924 The Hook Lane 9 hole course was still in operation, under the new name Upper Bognor Golf Club.
1924 The Bognor Challenge Cup was first played for. The Bognor Challenge Cup was presented to the Bognor Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the Bognor's first 18 hole course.
1936 The Clubhouse artefacts were given to members, and renovations took place. The Ladies' Clubhouse was also built.
1939 The Club's General Committee took the decision to keep the Club open during the War.
1953 Constitution changes, led to the formation of the 'present' members club, Bognor Regis Golf Club.
1957 The course was converted to its present playing order. Previously the 17th Hole was the 1st Hole. A practise ground was also added in-between the 17th and 18th.
1970 The Purley Trophy was first contested, named after Charles Purley, the Club Captain in 1970, who sponsored the Amateur Scratch Event. This event is still played today.
1971 Course developments, increasing the length of the course from 6050 - 6350 yards, with eight new teeing areas, increasing the par also from 68 to 70.
1972 50th Anniversary of the move to Downview Road. Also the first Professional Tournament was staged, the John Player Trophy.
1987 Hurricane shut the course for over a week with over 60 trees falling.
1992 100th Anniversary. The club had three main periods up to this year (1892-97, 1906-22 & 1922- present day).
1999 The Clubhouse had a major refurbishment.
2015 BRGC became a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC)
2017 125th Anniversary of Bognor Regis Golf Club, celebrated with a festival week.
2017 Members agreed to enter into a promotion planning agreement with Hallam Land Management
2023 100 years since the opening of the current site.