It now forms one of the most attractive and interesting golf courses in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands with its interesting contours, 4 river holes over the Cringle Brook, its playability, except under the severest of weather conditions, and the tremendous variety of flora and fauna. A senior agronomist to the R & A, and for 10 years an adviser to the Club, rated it amongst the top 10 on his books. This is evinced by the high esteem in which it is held by the County and the number of societies and individuals seeking tee reservations. It also hosts the Kymin, Howell Hare Open and Midland Youths (Closed) Championship which is one of the 7 EGU qualifying competitions for the English Junior Team, and has acted as host for the English Schools competitions and many county events. Over the river from the 18th tee stands the magnificent Stoke Rochford Hall, built in 1846 and replacing the earlier houses of 1665 and 1774, and home until 1940 of the Turnor family. It is now a Conference Centre. In January 2005 the Hall was tragically engulfed by a serious fire which destroyed part of the building. Following essential emergency works, a programme of reconstruction and restoration has been embarked upon and it is anticipated that it will take three years to restore the Hall to its former Grade I listed glory.

 

It was during the 1st World War that Mr Christopher Turnor developed an interest in golf and set out a few basic tees and greens from the front of the Hall to where the Clubhouse now stands, of which two were "over the Lake". In 1923 a 9 hole course was set out and was first played on 18 February 1924. By the end of the year the Stoke Rochford Golf Club was formed and boasted 32 playing members paying an entrance fee of £1 and an annual subscription of two guineas. Mr Christopher Turnor became the first Club President.

 

There were, however, two problems. The present 16th fairway was also the village cricket pitch, so arrangements had to be made to ensure both games could carry on, and because of stock, all the greens had to be wired off with barbed wire. The former difficulty disappeared in 1929 when cricket there ceased, but the latter remained until 1979 when the Club was able to re-negotiate the lease of the course. It was in 1929 that W.H. Aitken, the Scottish International and Member of the R & A set out a new layout for the Course and in 1935 Major Hotchkin of Woodhall Spa, a Golf Architect, designed a further 9 holes taking the two in front of the hall out of use. Bogey was set at 75.

 

In the 2nd World War the course had to be reduced to 9 holes and when Christopher Turnor died in 1940 it was entirely due to his successor that the course remained in being. In 1954 Mr Alistair McCorquodale, husband of Major Turnor's daughter Rosemary, took over the estate and it is through his support, and that of the Estate, that the Club continues to flourish. He became the 3rd President of the Club. Up to 1945 the course had been mown by a horse-drawn mower or one pulled by an old Studebaker, but in 1945 the Club purchased a "rubber wheeled tractor". It now possesses the most modern of green keeping equipment, which is continually being updated. In 1947 the Course was restored to 18 holes.

 

Until 1962 the Stoke Rochford Estate had managed the Course and finances of the Club but then offered to vest the management of both in the Membership, which then stood at 218. This became effective in April 1963 opening up tremendous opportunities for the Club to improve both the Course and Clubhouse. As a result the Course has improved and developed beyond recognition, entirely due to the dedication of the Greens Chairman and the green keeping staff. In the early days of golf at Stoke Rochford the players shared accommodation with the old Roadhouse, a wooden structure with white verandas, based on a clubhouse Christopher Turnor had seen in Sussex. This was primarily a restaurant with a facility for social functions. It catered for everyone from vagrants to millionaires, as well as the golfers of the day.

 

In 1963 the Roadhouse was destroyed by fire and the Golf Club acquired a World War I wooden hut as its own Clubhouse. This sufficed in a very basic form until 1965 when, through well attended social functions, it was possible to make major improvements, which were followed up in 1971 by a new bar, and in 1975 when new changing rooms were added. It was in 1985 that the present brick Clubhouse was erected and in 1990 the new ladies' changing room and front of the Clubhouse were completed. During the winter months of 2005/6, the roof to the clubhouse has been completely replaced and a major extension has been added to the clubhouse. This work has upgraded the dining facilities and the whole clubhouse has been refurbished and extended to provide a first class range of bar and catering facilities for members and guests alike. Membership stands in the region of 500 in line with the R & A recommendation of 504 for an 18 hole course with a single starting point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Club badge is an adaptation of the Arms of Christopher Turnor, and his motto which is a pun on his name - "Turn Nor Swerve" - is eminently appropriate for the club golfer.  The purpose built Professional's shop is run by our highly respected Professional who, with his staff, are well qualified to give expert tuition and considered advice on every aspect of golf. The shop carries an excellent range of golfing equipment and clothing designed to satisfy the most discerning golfer.