The Keighley Golf Club recently made an astonishing revelation about the origins of their golf course, discovering that it was designed by renowned architect, W H Fowler. The astonishing revelation unfolded when the name W H Fowler was stumbled upon in a booklet dating back to 1927, which was found tucked away in the club’s attic. Upon making this historic discovery, Simon Tabel, the chairman of Keighley Golf Club, was left completely stunned.
Expressing his disbelief, Tabel shared with the Keighley News, “When I saw Herbert Fowler’s name, I realized immediately that this was hugely significant. I’ve been a member here for 33 years and no-one has ever identified the architect responsible for the course until now, so it’s a fantastic discovery.”
The records uncovered from the past revealed that Fowler, a prolific figure who had previously designed prominent golf courses in the UK and the USA, was commissioned by the club in 1922. He carried out a redesign of the course, which involved the addition of five new holes. Following this, Fowler returned to the club to present his changes at an Extraordinary General Meeting, gaining approval for the £900 project. The newly-refurbished course was completed in 1923, and surprisingly, its layout remains almost identical to this day, preserving many of Fowler’s original design features.
Tabel further explained, “Herbert Fowler liked long accurate driving and many of our par fours are well over 400 yards. There is also mounding and grass bunkers, which are typical, and the course uses the natural contours of the land.”
This momentous discovery has brought a new sense of pride to Keighley Golf Club, with the recognition that their course was crafted by one of the finest architects in the world. As a result, the club is set to host several prestigious events this season, including the Yorkshire Union of Golf Clubs Sixth Division Team Championship, as well as three Bradford Union events and the Bradford 8-15 and Rabbits Championships.
Furthermore, Keighley Golf Club warmly welcomes all golf enthusiasts to experience the historical and well-designed course, offering tee times throughout the golfing season. The club takes pride in extending a warm welcome to all players, inviting them to partake in the rich history and exceptional quality of the course.
In conclusion, the astounding discovery of W H Fowler’s involvement in crafting the Keighley Golf Club course has not only unveiled an important piece of the club’s history, but has also shed light on the exceptional craftsmanship that went into its design. This hidden gem, now brought to the forefront, stands as a testament to the timeless allure and significance of the sport of golf in the local community.