Club History - The Land

The land on which the course stands is part of the North Downs, and is included in the Green Belt.  Whilst it is now semi, or heavily wooded, it was not always like that, and not much more than a hundred years ago, it was much like the rest of the county of Surrey - i.e. open downland.

Long before this however, there is documented evidence of the population in the area, in that a Bronze Age barrow (burial ground dating from period 3000 - 2000BC) extends from under our third fairway and, of course, the Roman Legions built and used Stane Street (comprising the boundaries of our First and Second holes) as their main thoroughfare between Chichester and London, prior to 122AD when Hadrian's Wall was constructed.

Official archaeological records reveal that “numerous, but apparently scattered, Roman coins, mainly 3rd and 4th century AD, and including a denarius of Galba, were found during the laying out of the golf course and adjacent buildings”.

“Another archaeological site within the area of the golf course, apart from Stane Street, is part of a Bronze Age barrow cemetery.  The barrow occupied a ridge extending into the grounds of Cherkley Court”.  These barrows have been long since sacked for their contents, but present day golfers would be advised not to take too deep a divot on the ridge of the Third fairway, just in case they disturb the remains, or possessions of a Bronze Age dweller!
 

The 125 acres on which the course now stands together with all areas now used for residential purposes on the Tyrrells Wood Estate, the Nower Wood, and considerable acreages involving the land of Headley Court and Highlands Farm, were just part of the substantial acquisitions of land, in the Ashtead, Epsom and Leatherhead areas of merchant banker Roger Cunliffe during the latter half of the 19th century.