Bulawayo Golf Club
The official formation of the Bulawayo Golf Club was on the 25th of January, 1895 at the Charter Hotel, with the original course consisting of 9 holes.
When the pioneer columns reached Bulawayo on 4 November 1893 from Salisbury and Fort Victoria, the country settled down to a peaceful occupation, and in keeping with British tradition, sporting activities immediately commenced.
History Of The Bulawayo Golf Club
The Bulawayo Chronicle of 4th 1894 published a letter from Mr. R.S. Egerton asking all golfers to communicate with him. The result was the formation of the Bulawayo Golf Club at their meeting on the 25th January 1895 at the charter hotel with Mr. Egerton as the captain.
The annual subscription was two guineas, membership being 28.
The original course consisted of 9 holes; the first tee was a few hundred yards from the site of the present city hall. But as the town progressed, the golf course moved further up the Matsheumhlope River.
The possibility of the river as a golf course foundation was obviously apparent to the early golfers, and today the completed course is built along the river.
The first golf house was a cottage type erected not far from the present number sixteen tee. The cottage was later moved to a site near the current clubhouse to accommodate the professional. The cottage was occupied until 1946, when it was dismantled with a new house was built for the professional.
Bulawayo Golf Club Progression
Plans for a new club house at a cost in the vicinity of thirty thousand pounds were under consideration. It was hoped that by the time the next major professional tournament was staged, the new modern building, incorporating many new facilities for both members and visitors would be standing on the site where the present club house is today.
Experimental grass greens were laid down in the early 1920’s with ordinary couch grass. This proved to be unsuccessful, and the greens reverted back to a sand surface.
Players carried a wooden scraper in their bags, and scraping was allowed across the line of putt.
Grass greens were later laid once they had found the grass most suitable for the greens.
Bulawayo Golf Club Logo
The club badge is the three feathers of the Prince of Wales. The use of the title royal and the monarchy’s crown as an emblem, as proudly used by a number of clubs in Southern Africa, is only permitted by royal decree.
The story goes that when Edward, who was the then Prince of Wales, visited this country traveling by rail, instructed the train driver to stop the train at the point just behind what is now the 16th tee so that he could have a round of golf with some of the members.
Consequently, Bulawayo Golf Club was conferred the right to use the Prince’s emblem.
Membership
Our Thursday club was founded in 1963 by Eric Clemitson. His vision was to help improve the clubhouse, the facilities, the course, and to also attract new members. He saw the need for a mid-week afternoon of golf, which would provide a game for all and allow players the chance to acquaint themselves with others and, above all, help the club financially.
Thursday Club today is still a very active section and continues to help the club procure much-needed course equipment, which keeps our course in tip-top condition.
Enter the ladies. In 1900 there was one lady member, and she used to compete with the men. Gradually more women joined, and a ladies section was formed. Progress for the ladies came in 1914, when it was decided that ladies could play only after 3.30 pm on Saturday’s , Sunday’s, and public holidays. But it was only well after the war in 1920 that ladies’ fees and a Thursday ladies day was agreed.
The ladies section today, although small, is still a very active section both on the course and off. We boast a number of players that have represented Zimbabwe over the years.
The golf course is an 18-hole par 72 course and is 4 star-rated.
Our membership is broken up into 5 categories:
- Full men & ladies membership
- Senior membership
- Country membership
- Junior membership
- Social membership
Bulawayo Golf Club First’s
- First club founded in the country
- First Rhodesian amateur championship (1912)
- First Rhodesian club to entertain a member of the royal family in 1930 – Edward Prince of Wales
- First sponsored professional tournament
- First to send three lady players to represent Rhodesia in South Africa (1975)
There must have been many more firsts since then, and there will no doubt be many more in the club’s future.
Proshop
This is called the Golf Hub and is run by our club professional, Mr. Brian Gondo.
Golf Club Dining
The kitchen is run by Kanti and Jay Lalla who provide the players with delicious and affordable meals.
Sunday lunches are done once a month and open to the public. Bookings are essential.
Bulawayo Golf Club Contact Details
Address: 1 Winnies Way, Suburbs
Email: accounts@bgc.co.zw or manager@bgc.co.zw
Tel: 029 2231428 or Cell: 0772 177 080
Office Hours: Tue-Fri: 8am-5pm
Closed: Mondays
