| The Club was founded in 1902. From the outset it was designed as an 18 hole course. It has been altered and extended on many occasions. Its length has increased from 5115 yards in 1909 to 5889 yards in 1957 and 6556 yards as it was up to 2006, to the new course at 6882 yards today. Several well known golf architects have given the club the benefit of their expertise notably Jack Morris, the nephew of Old Tom Morris of St. Andrews, who designed the original lay-out, Harry Vardon, Frank Pennink and Donald Steel.
In 1948, the Club purchased the land on which the course lay, together with 2 agricultural fields within the boundaries of the course. When these were no longer needed for farming they were incorporated into the course - firstly the present 10th (was 14th) in 1958 and secondly the present 13th (was 12th) and 14th (was 13th) holes in 1977.
In 2005, the members of the Club voted to incorporate into the course further land purchased in 2000. Once again, Donald Steel and Partners were the architects. Work began in 2006 and the 'new' course was opened on 7th July 2007.
The Club's first club house, a substantial two storey building was erected in 1904 but sadly only survived until 1924 when it was destroyed by fire. A new club house designed by the distinguished Liverpool Architect Herbert J Rowse who later designed India Buildings, Martins Bank Building The Philharmonic Hall and Woodchurch Estate was completed in 1926 on the site it occupies today with commanding views over the course, the Dee Estuary and North Wales. The clubhouse also has been altered many times and was substantially extended in 1963. At the same meeting in 2005 at which the members voted to alter the course they also voted in favour of substantial improvements to the clubhouse, which are now complete.
The Club has had 5 professionals during its 105-year history during which time Joe Collins and Alan Thompson have been professionals for 73 years in aggregate. Alan Thompson's outstanding teaching skills were recognised by Cheshire County in 1984 and by the English Golf Union in 1995. Countless Professional, International, County and club players are in Alan Thompson's debt for setting them on the road to success or putting them right when they had left that road.
Having been the venue for numerous County Championships, County Matches and other events over the last 75 years the club was honoured to host the English Seniors Championship in 2002 and was chosen by the R & A to host the Junior Open Championships in 2006. This event which was for both boys and girls was held at the start of the week in which the Open Championship was played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club Hoylake.
To learn more of the history of Heswall Golf Club a 146 page well-illustrated hardback book may be purchased from the Club Secretary or borrowed from libraries on the Wirral.
By Patrick Kenney, past Captain and author of Heswall Golf Club 1902 -2002
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Jack Morris who designed the original course
The first club house, 1905
The new club house as originally designed by Herbert Rowse
The club house as it looked before the 2006 development
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