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Golfing Legend Celebrates Eastbourne Downs Golf Course 50th Anniversary
15th May 2023
Golfing Legend Celebrates Eastbourne Downs Golf Course 50th Anniversary
Scottish golfing legend and former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher OBE was the guest of honour at a special dinner to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Eastbourne Downs Golf Course.
The club, on East Dean Road, hosted a private dinner for members on Tuesday 9 May.
More than 50 guests enjoyed a meal featuring 1970s retro dishes Chicken Kiev and Black Forest Gateau followed by a talk by the professional golfer.
While the club itself dates back to 1909, the original course was altered and relocated in 1973, with an official opening a year later by Bernard Gallacher, who by then had become the youngest man to represent Great Britain in the Ryder Cup. Golfing legends Max Faulkner, Brian Barnes and Tommy Horton also joined him in at the reopening exhibition match.
His record was subsequently beaten by Nick Faldo and others, but Bernard went on to play in the Ryder Cup eight times and was non-playing captain of the European Team in 1991, 1993 and 1995. After turning 50, Gallacher played on the European Seniors Tour.
“As well as commemorating our past, the club is also continually moving forward with a packed schedule of tournaments, member’s social events, low cost junior memberships and new hybrid green technology, ensuring our greens are playable even during periods of heavy wet weather.”
Originally, the Downs Golf Course was first laid out in 1908 by J H Taylor alongside the main road at the top of the hill. The old clubhouse used to be located at the bottom of the hill, completed in 1909 with the first Club Captain Stanley Ellis.
Mr. Carew Davies-Gilbert took the opening drive at the opening ceremony on 2 August 1909. In 1973 the club moved to a new clubhouse, built on "the top" to move the club into a new era alongside many new course alterations.
The club has seen a strong resurgence in recent years in membership, with a busy programme of tournaments, including the recent European Junior Open qualifier – the only venue in Sussex to host the Sky Sports sponsored event.
Innovative greenkeeping methods from the award-winning Grounds team have also seen the introduction of hybrid greens to maintain greater playability through periods of wet weather.
Eastbourne Downs Golf Course is open to all with membership ranging from £30 per year for under 15’s to £75 per month for adults, with reduced rates available for those aged 15 to 30.
Non-members are welcome with green fees ranging from £15 for juniors to play any time to £22 for adults after 3pm or £30/£35 for play before 3pm on weekdays/weekends respectively.
The clubhouse is open to non-members with breakfast, lunch, afternoon teas and pre-booked dinner available, alongside a fully licensed bar. The club also sell afternoon tea and golfing gift vouchers via VisitEastbourne.com
For further information on membership, green fees and visiting the clubhouse visit www.eastbournedownsgolfcourse.com
