Arthur Havers receiving the 1923 Open Claret Jug and Medal at Troon

In common with Augusta, Lilley Brook is an Alister MacKenzie designed mature golf course. Set in over 100 acres of beautiful parkland on the lower slopes of Leckhampton Hill. Lilley Brook offers golfers of all abilities a challenging round combined with marvellous views across Cheltenham.

Prior to World War I, there were two golf clubs in Cheltenham both playing the same course on the lower slopes of Cleeve Hill. They were Cheltenham Town Golf Club, now Cotswold Hills, the other Cheltenham Golf Club.

In 1921 Cheltenham Golf Club leased 132 acres of land to the south of Cheltenham, including Lilleybrook Lodge. The Lilley Brook Golf Club was named after the tributary of the River Chelt which flows close by.

Dr Alister MacKenzie, the golf architect who designed Augusta National with Mr Bobby Jones, designed the course. In 1922 an Open Champion, Mr Arthur Havers, officially opened the course with a round of golf. Lilley Brook is the only Mackenzie designed golf course in Gloucestershire.

In 1964, as the original lease was nearing its end, the Club purchased the land and Lodge for £18,000 to include
27 acres to the south of the area known as “40 acres” which is now the site of the 15th and 16th holes. In 1967 the Club obtained the “Drifts”, which is the 5th and 6th holes. This enabled the re-design of the course to its current layout that was completed in 1969. A new clubhouse, designed by Mr Roger Dyer, was built and the old one went to Northleach to be used as cricket pavilion.

Lilley Brook is a friendly private members’ club run by a management team coupled with small sub-committees. The three-man Management Team has a Chairman, Vice Chairman and Treasurer. The club has an Honorary President, Captain and Lady Captain.

Some of the famous players to have played the Lilley Brook

Arthur Havers 1922

Dai Rees 1947

Charlie Ward 1947

Max Faulkner 1950

Peter Alliss 1955

Tony Jacklin 1974

Des Smyth 2009

Roger Chapman 2009

Carl Mason 2009

Dr Alister MacKenzie

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