100 Not Out - Five Lovely Golf Clubs Celebrating Their Centenaries
Congratulations to every club celebrating its 100th birthday, including these five spread from the English Midlands up to the southern reaches of Scotland
Reaching 100 years is a significant milestone in the history of any golf club, and these five are proudly celebrating that achievement throughout 2026.
Kington
The views from the 12th green are wonderfully far-reaching
- GF: 18 holes: £30-£39wd, £35-£45we
- W: kingtongolf.co.uk
Golf was played near this idyllic course in Herefordshire close to the England-Wales border in the 19th century, and the formation of Kington Golf Club took place in 1926 when the first holes were opened at the current site on Bradnor Hill. Cecil Hutchison used his experience of working with James Braid at Gleneagles and Carnoustie to create a timeless design that takes the very fullest advantage of its brilliant and lofty location.
The penultimate green at Kington
Despite its setting, barring the uphill 1st and the path from the 3rd green to the 4th tee, it is surprisingly easy on the legs. From start to finish there are panoramic, far-reaching, pastoral vistas, and the modest green fee represents remarkable value for a course where the views are priceless.
Sand Moor
Looking down on the 13th hole and the Eccup Reservoir
- GF: 18 holes: £125 Mon-Fri
- W: sandmoorgolf.co.uk
Just north of Leeds and forming a holy trinity with Moortown and Alwoodley, Sand Moor in Yorkshire is a wonderfully varied course adjacent to the Eccup Reservoir. It was designed by Alister MacKenzie, who sat on the club's first greens committee not long before he went on to create Augusta National.
The par-3 8th is played from an elevated tee
Henry Cotton made some changes when new land was acquired in the 1960s, and work has continued more recently to refresh both the challenge and visual appeal. It is perhaps best-known for its cracking quartet of medium-length, scenic but testing short holes.
Churchill and Blakedown
An aerial view of the course and clubhouse
- GF: 18 holes: £45wd, £50we
- W: churchillblakedowngolfclub.co.uk
Just east of Kidderminster in the West Midlands, this charming nine-holer sits between the two hamlets from which it takes its name. In 1926, Charles Faux cut a few holes on common land, and the original tin clubhouse was soon replaced by a pavilion purchased from a local cricket club.
A view back down the closing hole
In 1986, further land was acquired paving the way for the course as it is played today, a fine test that has staged certain county events. Gently undulating and running over easy-draining sandstone, there are two short holes early on and two par 5s at the 7th and 9th.
Lochmaben
Looking down over the course and Kirk Loch
- GF: 18 holes: £58wd, £68we
- W: lochmabengolf.co.uk
This pretty and engaging course is set around two sides of a small loch, a few miles north-west of the Scotland-England border at Gretna Green. It is an area rich in history, and the raised green on the par-3 2nd was once the site of one of Robert the Bruce's forts.
Looking over the loch towards the 8th green
The prolific James Braid designed the original nine holes a century ago, but the course suffered greatly during and after WWII. Happily it survived, and in 1995 was extended to 18 holes. Most of Braid's original work survived, and the proximity of Loch Kirk offers constant challenge and great beauty.
Southport Old Links
The 5th hole borders the canal
- GF: 18 holes: £55wd, £70we
- W: southportoldlinksgolfclub.co.uk
Not far from this year's Open host at Royal Birkdale, Southport Old Links is a delightful nine-holer offering a real alternative to the big names nearby. Located in the village of Churchtown, its roots are a little hazy, especially with Southport Golf Links being just the other side of town.
Looking back down the par-4 4th
What is clear is that this pretty design is more parkland than links, though there is an element of seaside golf in the bunkering. Alternative tees change the nature, and even par, of several holes second time round.
