Golf

Book charts 100 eventful years at Eaton

Eaton Golf Club will mark its centenary next year - but the celebrations begin this weekend with the publication of a history of the club's first 100 years.

The book charts Eaton's development from a barren nine-hole heathland track, to a glorious tree-lined 18-hole course betraying Norfolk's reputation for flatness.

It's been a labour of love for the author, former teacher Nigel Simpson, who joined the club as a nine-year-old. “There's hardly been a day over the past three years when I haven't worked on the book, “ he said. “Our members have been most helpful in supporting my research and writing. I am much in debt to John Brister for his previous work on its history.”

The book reveals that the founding father of club was businessman R.J. “Jack” Read, of the Norwich flour-milling dynasty. In the autumn of 1910 he negotiated a lease on the present site with landowner John Gurney. The lease was to run for seven years at an annual rent of £30 - there was to be no play on Sundays and any “damage” to the land was to be made good.

The original nine-hole affair was designed by Sheringham professional Ernest Riseborough, “paid £10 a green and a quid for every bunker,” explains Nigel.

Since those early days Eaton has flourished but its history has not been without drama.

The clubhouse burned down in 1921, German bombers threatened its existence during the Second World War, as did the growing urban sprawl of Norwich before funds were raised to take ownership of the land into the hands of the members. Now known as “Norfolk's hidden gem”, the course is concealed from view among the suburbs only two miles from the city centre.

Eaton Golf Club 1910-2010 is launched tomorrow at a reception in the clubhouse. Copies of the book, hardback (£25), softback (£14.99) are available through the club. Contact: 01603 451686.