Burghley Park Golf Club was founded on 29 October 1890, following a meeting at the George Hotel in Stamford. The Marquis of Exeter graciously consented to the establishment of a " links course" on the Burghley Estate and was unanimously elected as the Club's first President. The presidency remained within the Exeter family for over a century, a tradition upheld by the Club's current President.
Initially, the course was located on the Waterloo Plain but moved to the High Park in 1901 due to the Marquis's decision to use the Waterloo Plain for hay production. The original course was carved out of the natural grassland that still characterizes the park today.
The early development of the Club was gradual, but golf continued even during the war. During the 1920s, part of the course was shared with a Croquet Club and occasionally used by a Hockey Club.
Modernisation began in 1930, simply with the purchase of a tractor! A significant upgrade from the traditional methods used for course maintenance. This transition sparked debates over constructing a shed for its storage, a stark contrast to the modern John Deere and Toro equipment the Club employs today. Although part of the course was closed in 1942 during World War II - 9 holes remained playable. Throughout its history right through to the current day, the course has been in continuous use, a testament to the dedication of early volunteers and greenkeepers.
Significant progress was made in the 1950s with the introduction of bunkers. During this period, sheep grazed the course, with the greens protected by fences. These grazing animals contributed to the excellent fairways golfers enjoy today, maintained through rather more modern and practical methods.
Over the last century, the course has evolved significantly in quality. The planting of trees, and the development of a practice ground have all contributed to the course's growth. The underlying limestone and unique geological foundation provide exceptional drainage, making the course playable in all but the harshest weather conditions. This has fostered the development of a native grassland links-style course, reminiscent of coastal links courses, with indigenous bents and fescue grasses.
The layout of the course has remained largely unchanged since the late 1950s. However, a walk through the course reveals remnants of previous designs, including the landscape design and tree plantations of 17th century genius Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Teeing grounds have been realigned over the years to add length and complexity to the holes. In 1992, an irrigation system was installed for the greens and tees, further enhancing the course's playability. In 2024, this was upgraded to a state-of-the-art irrigation system that will only enhance the courses' quality and year round playability.
In 1980, Burghley Park Golf Club hired its first full-time greenkeeping staff, signifying a pivotal advancement in course maintenance. The Club has long been esteemed within the local golfing community, owing to the commitment and expertise of its greenkeeping team. Today, the course is overseen by Malcolm Mitchell, formerly the Course Manager at the renowned Machrihanish Golf Club in Scotland. Under his leadership, the dedicated team employs modern, sustainable, and practical greenkeeping methods, continually enhancing the course's quality and reputation.
