The Bedford Estates, LondonFind us:
Woburn Golf Club,
Little Brickhill, Milton Keynes,
MK17 9LJ
Our History
Woburn Golf Club has a rich tournament history with sixty professional tournaments and a role of honour that reads like a who' s who of world golf, with eleven former winners who are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame
How it all started
Woburn Golf Club is the realisation of great vision of the Marquess of Tavistock, later to become the 14th Duke of Bedford. The success of the Club, with its three championship courses and its impressive modern facilities, is a tribute to his quick thinking and courage. In the mid-70's he was approached by the Milton Keynes Development Corporation, with a view to taking the land on which the courses are built as a recreational park for Milton Keynes. His response was, ''How sad. I had intended to build a golf course.'' Today, thanks to him and his family and with the support of the Trustees, Woburn Golf Club is a legacy that continues to thrive.
The Club's History
When the Dukes course opened in 1976 the clubhouse was a log cabin behind what is now the 16th green.
A clear view from the 4th green through to the 13th fairway when the Dukes course first opened.
In 1977 Alex Hay was appointed as the Club's first Professional
A group photograph of members who joined Woburn in the early days.
In 1979 the new Clubhouse opened.
The second of Woburn's courses, The Duchess, opened in 1980
Bombs found adjacent to the 18th tee on the Marquess’ Course as construction of the course nears completion.
The Marquess of Tavistock, later to become the 14th Duke of Bedford, officially opened the Marquess on Monday 4th June 2000. This was followed by a golf day in support of The Tavistock Trust for Aphasia.
Justin Rose wins the 2002 Victor Chandler British
Ian Poulter became attached to Woburn as Touring Professional in 2003
In 2004 Ian Poulter was a member of the victorious European Ryder Cup Team which successfully defeated the USA at Oakland Hills. This was the first of Ian's Ryder Cup appearances and the first time Woburn Golf Club was represented by a member of the Club.
The clubhouse underwent a large refurbishment programme during the winter of 2010 which was completed in May 2011.
In 2011 Woburn member, Lauren Taylor won The Women's British Amateur Championship and The BBC Young Sports Personality of The Year Award.
In 2012 at the age of 16, Charley Hull became the first Woburn member to represent the Great Britain and Ireland Team in the Curtis Cup when they narrowly defeated the United States of America at Nairn Golf Club, Scotland.
The Duke's, Duchess and Marquess courses are all ranked in Golf Monthly Magazines' Top 100 Courses in the UK and Ireland. the first 54 hole venue to have all three courses featured.
Woburn Golf Club was represented by a member for the first time in the 2013 Solheim Cup when at only 17 years old, Charley Hull became the youngest player to represent Europe.
Charley Hull becomes attached to Woburn as a Touring Professional on her 18th birthday in 2014.
Henrietta, Duchess of Bedford officially opened the Tavistock Short Game Area designed by Manuel Piñero in June 2015.
In 2016 Woburn Golf Club staged its first Major Championship, The Ricoh Women's British Open, played on the Marquess course. The Club also celebrated its 40th Anniversary.
Tournaments
Woburn Golf Club has a rich tournament history having staged sixty professional tournaments and has a role of honour that reads like a who' s who of world golf, with eleven former winners who are members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Woburn has also hosted Amateur tournaments with The Brabazon Trophy in 1982, the Seniors Open Amateur Championship in 2005, the English Men's Amateur Championship in 2011 and Final Qualifying for The Open between 2014 and 2017.
Greg Norman, winner of the Dunlop British Masters played on the Dukes course in 1981.
Lee Trevino won the 1985 Dunhill British Masters in spectacular style with a 3 wood to within 6" for an eagle on the final hole, which is normally played as the Par 5 1st on the Dukes course. The Dunhill British Maters was staged at Woburn for 10 consecutive years through until 1995.
Severiano Ballesteros wins his first Dunhill British Masters title on the Dukes course in 1986.
Sandy Lyle, winner of The Masters in 1988 completes the double when he wins The Dunhill British Masters on the Dukes course a few weeks later.
Dame Laura Davies won the Ford Ladies Classic on the Duchess course in 1988.
Sir Nick Faldo followed Sandy Lyle by winning The Masters in 1989 and then coming to Woburn and winning The Dunhill British Masters.
Marie-Laure de Lorenzi winner of the Ford Ladies Classic on the Duchess course in 1989 and 1990. The tournament was staged annually at Woburn between 1982 and 1994 with an illustrious list of winners including Dame Laura Davies in 1988.
Severiano Ballesteros wins the Dunhill British Masters for the seccond time in 1991.
Ian Woosnam, winner of the 1994 Dunhill British Masters on the Dukes course.
Patty Sheehan wins the Weetabix Women's British Open on the Dukes course in 1992.
Karrie Webb winner of The Weetabix Women's British Open on the Dukes course in 1995
In 2002 Justin Rose won The Victor Chandler British Masters by one shot from Ian Poulter, following an epic and friendly battle on the Marquess course in the final round.
Delroy Cambridge winner of the 2002 European Senior Masters on the Dukes course
In September 2004 The Heritage tournament was staged on the Dukes course in recognition of Kenneth Schofield CBE on his retirement as Executive Director of The European Tour.
Winner of the 1990 Dunhill British Masters, Mark James claims his second victory on the Dukes course with the 2005 Bovis Lend Lease Senior Masters
Woburn Golf Club staged the English Men's Amateur Golf Championship in 2011 with qualifying on the Duchess and Marquess courses prior to the matchplay stages on the Marquess course, won by Steven Brown.
The Duke of Bedford with Colin Montgomerie following his third consecutive victory in the Travis Perkins Masters 2015.
In 2015 Matthew Fitzpatrick, 2022 US Open Champion, won his first Professional Tournament, the British Masters supported by SKY Sports, which was hosted by Ian Poulter on the Marquess course.
The Marquess course was one of four courses in the country used to Stage Final Qualifying for The Open between 2014 and 2017
Philip Golding winner of The Travis Perkins Masters in 2017
Woburn staged its first major championship in 2016 when the Ricoh Women's British Open, won by Ariya Jutanugarn was played on the Marquess course. The championship had previously been staged on the Dukes course on 9 occasions but prior to receiving major status.
Hinako Shibuno proved a very popular winner when she smiled her way to victory in the AIG Womens' British Open on the Marquess course in 2019, the 60th Professional Tournament to have been hosted at Woburn.
