'An extraordinary year': Looking back as Maidenhead Golf Club prepares to leave its course

An ‘extraordinary year’ is drawing to a close for Maidenhead Golf Club which is facing its final weeks at its course in the town.

The club must leave its sizeable course by Shoppenhangers Road, based on land owned by RBWM, to make room for 1,500 houses and flats, which the council voted for in February.

Maidenhead Golf Club (MGC) has known that it must move for a number of years, and that it would receive about £16million from the council for surrendering its lease early.

It has signed the surrender agreement, meaning it is locked in and must move somewhere else – but initially struggled to find an alternative site.

The club looked at several locations including in Fifield, Cookham and Flackwell Heath. All these plans fell through.

Then Mill Ride Golf Club in Ascot came up for sale unexpectedly; the wife of a jailed Azeri banker was forced to forfeit it.

In July, the golf club signed the purchase agreements for Mill Ride. Members will continue to play at Shoppenhangers Road until the end of this year.

As the year-end approaches, Dave Baker, chairman of Maidenhead Golf Club, reflected on how the club and its members are feeling.

“The club remains in very good spirits and focused on ensuring a smooth transition to Mill Ride,” he said.

“It’s been an extraordinary year for both clubs, but especially for MGC, which faced the real prospect of closing its shutters on its 130-year legacy forever.”

He said there has been ‘a tremendous amount of work to do’ but that the club is ‘progressing well’ through its to-do list.

“Our members have shown great support and understanding during this period, which has been invaluable,” said Mr Baker.

The club has also had ‘very positive feedback’ from current Mill Ride members, he said, who ‘have themselves experienced a period of uncertainty.’

The club has ‘worked hard to keep both sets of members regularly informed.’

“There’s a strong sense that, together, we’ll make our new home a members’ club to be proud of,” said Mr Baker.

Investment in improving the course has already begun, as has work to enhance the look of the clubhouse.

The club has not had much contact recently with Cala Homes or RBWM, other than confirmation that it will be leaving its current site on December 31.

“We hope the clubhouse will be put to good use once we vacate it – though, regretfully, that will no longer be our decision to make,” said Mr Baker.

He added: “Naturally, there’s a huge sense of nostalgia as we reflect on almost 130 years of golf at this location.

“The club has been part of the local community for generations, and many members have strong personal connections to the course and its history.

“That said, we’re also looking forward to beginning a new chapter at Mill Ride, where we see great opportunities to continue the club’s traditions in a fresh setting.

“We’re proud of what’s been achieved here over the years and grateful for the local support that has helped the club thrive.

“We hope that legacy will carry forward into this next chapter.”

David Dwyer, chair of MGC's membership and marketing committee.