History and Mission

Welcome to the Official Website of
The Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs

Golf was first played in Nottinghamshire on common land at Bulwell more than a century ago, on which the Bulwell Forest Golf Club now stands.

The Notts GC, founded in 1887, is the County's oldest golf club and is now situated at Hollinwell in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. Originally a municipal club, the Bulwell Forest Golf Club celebrated it's centenary in 2002 and in 2005 the club negotiated a lease on the land so that the County's most historic golf course could be protected. Together they form part of the thirteen Nottinghamshire clubs which have celebrated their centenary. 

On the 18th May 1899, a meeting was held in the pavilion of the Nottinghamshire Golf Club at Bulwell Forest to consider the formation of the Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs. Representatives from the three golf clubs in Nottinghamshire at the time were present, Bulwell Artisans, Ravensdale GC and the Notts GC. Mr J Hall was appointed as the Union's first President with Mr T G Mellors as its Secretary and Treasurer.

The celebrated golfer Tom Williamson was the professional at both the Bulwell Forest and Notts golf clubs for more than 50 years, during which time he designed and worked on many of the golf courses throughout the Midlands. Tom made regular appearances in exhibition matches with Harry Vardon, James Braid and J H Taylor, the Great Triumverate, and also appeared in numerous Open Championships in his day.

Nottinghamshire's first recorded County match was over 36 holes against Yorkshire at BulwBell Forest on the 6th October 1900 in which the visitors won by 21 to 15. The match continues to this day but now in the form of a biennial fixture. The first 36 hole County Championship also took place at Bulwell Forest on the 26th October 1901 in which T G Mellors and E A Coutts tied with scores of 85-85-170, Coutts eventually won the play-off to become the first Nottinghmshire County Champion.

There are now 35 golf clubs affiliated to the Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs, fourteen of which are private members clubs, whilst the remainder are a mix of municipal and commercial golf clubs which are open to the public on a "pay and play" basis with many of them being formed during the past 20 years to meet the demands of the sport as it grew in popularity.

Mission Statement

The objectives of the Nottinghamshire Union of Golf Clubs are to:

• Promote, encourage and administer amateur golf in Nottinghamshire.

• Encourage and assist its member clubs.

• Avoid judgement, criticism and prejudice.

• Support the principle and practice of equity, equality and equality of opportunity.

• Challenge discrimination that is indirect, direct, intentional or unintentional.

• Attempt to ensure that all people, irrespective of their age, gender, ability, social status, race, ethnic origin, religious belief, disability or sexual preference have a genuine and equal opportunity to participate in golf.

• Recognise its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of children and young people and to ensure the sport of golf in Nottinghamshire is one within which children and young people involved can flourish in a safe environment.

• Uphold and abide by the Rules of Golf and the Rules of Amateur Status as laid down by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews Limited.

• Assist and co-operate with the England Golf, and the Midland Golf Union Limited, and abide by such Rules as laid down from time to time insofar as they affect the Union.

• Assist and co-operate with the Council of National Golf Unions, and ensure that the Union and its members comply with the Rules of the CONGU Unified Handicapping System.