A fabulous, challenging downland course set on the Marlborough Downs, a true gem.
The Course at Chisledon comprised 9 holes and was situated just north of the village to the north of the Wroughton Road and to the west of the Midland and South West Junction railway. It could be reached by a footpath from Chisledon Railway Station in something less than 10 minutes. The land over which the course was laid out was owned by Col. Calley and the Trustees of the Highworth Poor.
The minutes show that the course was beset by problems of poor drainage but it was noted that “Nothing could be more delightful after a strenuous 18 holes (and there is no doubt the course is a trying one), than to sit at ease and ‘view the landscape o’er – it is a scene very hard to beat and is treasured by many veterans of the Club…”.
The course was kept in shape thanks to the efforts by the Greenkeepr/Professional Mr Foord of Burnham and his staff of Mr Cox and his two assistants Mssrs Tuck and Evans equipped with their horse power mower bought for £8 and the horse for £12.
Despite all their efforts, the course had problems: water-logging in the winter and conversely, so dry in the summers of 1911 and 1921 that the course was so badly cracked a local lift and place rule had to be brought in. In view of this, as the 21-year lease approached its end, it was agreed on October 3rd 1927 that the course be abandoned and an 18-hloe course be built at Ogbourne St. George if the land could be bought at a reasonable price.
