10 Things You Didn't Know About Walton Heath Golf Club
Walton Heath will host next month's AIG Women's Open, so here are some facts about this historic inland golf club
Walton Heath Golf Club is no stranger to hosting high-profile events, and this year the final women's Major of the year, the AIG Women's Open, will be contested over its heathland course.
In this video and article, we look at what you need to know about the famous Surrey club...
1. Walton Heath has encouraged female golf from the outset, and women were able to become full members of the club pre-WW11.
2. In 1910 a 72-hole Man v Woman Challenge match was held at Walton Heath and Sunningdale between Golf Monthly’s first Editor Harold Hilton and Miss Cecil Leitch. The match was won by Cecil 2&1. Earlier this year the Ladies Lounge was officially named the Cecil Leitch Lounge.
3. Jill Thornhill, President of Walton Heath, played in the AIG Women’s Open and won the Smyth Salver in 1985 at Moor Park Golf Club. Throughout a celebrated amateur career, Thornhill also played in three consecutive Curtis Cups from 1984 to 1988 before captaining the GB&I side in 1990.
4. Walton Heath’s first professional in 1904 was James Braid, who won five Opens and he stayed at the club for some 45 years until his death in 1950.
5. Jo Taylor, a PGA professional at Walton Heath and Golf Monthly Top 50 coach believes the short par-4 risk and reward 10th hole (usually the 12th hole) will be one of the most exciting holes during the AIG Women’s Open. Depending where the tee is placed, players will have an opportunity to go for the green.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
6. The Ryder Cup was held at Walton Heath in 1981, but this was played over the Old Course. Europe. USA beat Europe 18.5-9.5 and this was the sixth and final Ryder Cup for Jack Nicklaus as a competitor.
7. This year’s AIG Women’s Open will be played on a composite course with holes from the Old Course (2-13 and 14-18) and the New Course (holes 12-13), the same layout as when the British Masters was held at Walton Heath in 2018.
8. Jo Taylor, a Golf Monthly Top 50 coach, heads up the successful Women’s Academy at Walton Heath, which provides introductory membership to encourage women to the game.
9. Walton Heath is supportive of a schools’ outreach programme and has delivered golf to over 250 children this year.
10. Walton Heath has hosted three Women’s Amateur Championships, the most recent in 2000, which was won by England’s Rebecca Hudson.
Alison Root has over 25 years experience working in media and events, predominantly dedicated to golf, in particular the women’s game. Until 2020, for over a decade Alison edited Women & Golf magazine and website, and is now the full-time Women's Editor for Golf Monthly. Alison is a respected and leading voice in the women's game, overseeing content that communicates to active golfers from grassroots through to the professional scene, and developing collaborative relationships to widen Golf Monthly's female audience across all platforms to elevate women's golf to a new level. She is a 16-handicap golfer (should be better) and despite having had the fantastic opportunity to play some of the best golf courses around the world, Kingsbarns in Scotland is her favourite.
-
CJ Cup Byron Nelson Tee Times - Rounds One And Two
Jordan Spieth is in a group with defending champion Jason Day in the first two rounds of the TPC Craig Ranch tournament
By Mike Hall Published
-
Tommy Fleetwood’s Caddie Ian Finnis Has Open Heart Surgery
Fleetwood’s close friend and caddie confirmed the news on Instagram after being absent from the last three events
By Mike Hall Published
-
Making The Cut's Not Enough - LET Pro Details How Finishing Outside Of The Top-25 Can Actually See Players LOSE Money
Hannah Gregg has described how even making the cut can see her lose money for a tournament week due to the worrying lack of prize funds on the LET
By Paul Higham Published
-
JM Eagle LA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024
There’s a record purse for a regular-season LPGA Tour event at Wilshire Country Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
Two-Time Major Runner-Up Amy Olson Announces Retirement Aged 31
The LPGA Tour pro, who has been on maternity leave since last year, made the announcement on social media
By Mike Hall Published
-
Angela Stanford’s Pursuit Of 100 Consecutive Majors Could End Painfully Short After Two Huge Blows
The 46-year-old had been hoping to make a 99th successive Major appearance at the US Women's Open, but a double blow means her options are slimmer than ever
By Mike Hall Published
-
Nelly Korda's Fifth Straight Win Helps NBC Record Most-Watched Chevron Championship In Over A Decade
There was a peak TV audience of almost two million on Sunday evening as Korda picked up the second Major of her career
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘Exhausted’ Nelly Korda Puts Bid For Sixth Successive Title On Hold With JM Eagle LA Championship Withdrawal
The Chevron Championship winner has opted to skip the next LPGA Tour event despite initially confirming she would be in the field
By Mike Hall Published
-
'Hopefully Keep The Streak Alive' - Nelly Korda Shows No Signs Of Stopping As World No.1 Targets Sixth Straight Win
After her fifth successive victory, Nelly Korda is eyeing a place in the history books
By Mike Hall Published
-
How Nelly Korda And Scottie Scheffler Have Amassed 9 Wins And Almost $20 Million In Prize Money Over Their Last 10 Starts
The World No.1 pair are on quite the tear right now, as both Korda and Scheffler added yet more silverware to their cabinets after their respective victories
By Matt Cradock Published