Club History

The golf course at Long Ashton started its life in 1893 as a nine hole course. However, this was all to change by 1905 when a further addition of land provided the stepping stone to adjoin the second nine holes.

Following various re-designs, the famous partnership of Hawtree and Taylor were commissioned in 1937 to advise and plan the course which, in the main, is still played today. However it was not until 1957 that the Club eventually purchased the land, which in its earlier years had formed part of the Ashton Court estate. Further additions in 1966 included a 12-acre site, which is now regarded as one of the best practice facilities in this part of the country.

The Club has staged several major golf tournaments, notably The Martini International Tournament in 1966, won jointly by Peter Allis and Bill Large, and the Coca-Cola Young Professionals in 1972, won by Peter Oosterhuis. In the last decade the English Boys' and British Ladies' tournaments have also taken place.

Long Ashton has produced many fine golfers from its junior ranks some of whom have gone on to a successful career on the professional tournament circuits:

Kitrina Douglas won the British Ladies Amateur Championship in 1982 and played in the Curtis Cup in the same year. She also represented England many times between 1982 and 1983. She turned professional in 1984 and promptly won the first tournament she played in as a pro. Between 1984 and 1992 she won a further 8 tournaments on the Ladies European Tour, was voted Rookie of the Year in 1984 and represented Europe in the Solheim Cup in 1992.

Andrew Sherborne represented England 17 times between 1982 and 1984 and joined the European Tour in 1985 as a professional. Andrew won 2 European Tour Titles including the Madrid Open in 1991 and the Spanish Open in 1992 where he held off a late charge from Nick Faldo. Andrew competed on the European Tour until 2003 and in 2011 he joined the European Seniors Tour.

David Ray represented England 8 times during 1982 and was a member of the same Home International England team as Andrew Sherborne. David turned professional in 1983 and won the European Tour Qualifying School that year and competed on the European Tour until 1996. David also won the European Under-25 Championship twice in 1984 and 1986.

Neal Briggs represented England in 1984 and turned professional in the following year where he competed on the European Tour and Challenge Tour until 1998 winning Challenge Tour tiles in 1989 and 1994. Neal subsequently became a referee on the European Tour in 1998 where he still works.

Chris Wood represented England on 17 occasions between 2007 and 2008 and was ranked as the No.1 England Amateur in both those years. He was also ranked as No.2 in the R&A World Amateur Rankings in 2008. Chris won the Silver Medal for low Amateur when he finished 5th in the 2008 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. He subsequently turned professional and finished 3rd in the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry and was voted European Tour Rookie of the Year in that year. He won the Austrian Lioness Tournament in 2015 and the BMW PGA Championships in 2016.  He continues to compete on the European Tour.  

Bethan Popel aged 21 started as a junior winning numerous tournaments but more recently has been playing for England in various amateur events.

Amongst the club's other well known golfers from the Junior Section include:

Ruth Porter who was a world class amateur lady golfer between the years of 1956 and 1965 who played in the Curtis Cup 3 times, won the English Ladies Championship 3 times and represented England on numerous occasions.

Nigel Osmond and  Adam Carson, both of whom have represented England at Boys level.

Paul Barrington became World Trick Shot Champion in 2005 and held the British Long Driving Championship in 2002 (at 337 yards into wind) and 2003 (at 401 yards).

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