Saunton Golf Club has been established for over a 100 years but does not rest on its past glories:

Although it is believed that a course existed in Braunton Burrows in the early 1890s, Saunton Golf Club was not formed until May 1897. It was originally a 9 hole course but was extended to 12 holes by 1906 and to 18 holes in 1908. A Clubhouse was built in 1907 at a cost of £1,000 and can still be seen as a private house to the right of the East Course 16th fairway.

The 1st World War in 1914 brought an end to the steady growth of the Club; the course was reduced to 12 holes again, due to lack of labour but play was permitted "without payment".

Old Clubhouse 1907 - 1929

On re-opening in 1919, W Herbert Fowler, "an architect of some considerable repute" was employed to re-design the Course and by the early 1920s Saunton was gaining a reputation as one of the finest links courses in the country.

In 1923 an exhibition match was arranged between Harry Vardon (who had won the Open 6 times and the US Open) and J.H.Taylor (5 times Open Champion).

Then in 1929 another exhibition match was arranged to celebrate the opening of a new Clubhouse, which we use to this day. It was between J.H.Taylor, James Braid and the up and-coming Henry Cotton!

New Clubhouse 1929