Somerset
Described by the ancient Britons as the Land of the Summer People, Somerset is a popular West Country county, with cider making at its heart.
The Somerset Golf Union was inaugurated in 1907 and W.H. Fowler was duly elected as the Union’s first president. Golf in Somerset dates back to 1880 when Bath Golf Club was established, Minehead & West Somerset Golf Club was founded two years later. There are now 31 clubs affiliated to the Somerset Golf Union but visiting golfers tend to motor through this small but beautifully formed county on their way to play golf further west, along the peninsula.
Golfers in the know stop at Burnham & Berrow, which is certainly the premier course in Somerset, but careful and more detailed inspection of Somerset’s courses would pleasantly surprise even the most avid golf course aficionado. Brian Barnes is perhaps the most famous golfer produced in Somerset. Although he was born in Surrey, Barnes learnt golf from his father who was then the Secretary at Burnham & Berrow. Somerset has produced many fine county players but none finer than Colin Edwards of Bath Golf Club who has broken virtually every County Championship record.
Interestingly, female golfers in the county were a little quicker off the mark when it came to forming a governing body as they established the Somerset Ladies County Golf Association in 1901, six years ahead of their male counterparts. The association hosts a number of competitions throughout the year and these are open to all members who have a valid handicap, with gross and nett prizes awarded at all events.
Our Somerset Best in County golf course rankings were updated in 2017. Click the link to read the story.
