Our History

From Rushmere to Purdis Heath

Few golf clubs can trace their history through the influence of legendary course architects, distinguished local benefactors and some of the greatest names in British golf. The story of Ipswich Golf Club is one of vision, ambition and transformation — from modest beginnings at Rushmere Heath in the nineteenth century to the creation of the renowned Purdis Heath course and the later development of the Bixley nine-hole course.

The Beginnings at Rushmere Heath – 1895

Ipswich Golf Club was founded during the great expansion of golf across Britain in the late Victorian era. On 6^th April 1894, a meeting was held at the Post Office Chambers in Ipswich to discuss the creation of a golf club for the town. Among those instrumental in establishing the Club were James Edward Ransome, Arthur Pearce and Alexander Felixstowe.

Following consideration of several possible locations, Rushmere Heath was selected as the site for the new course. On 31^st May 1895, the Rushmere course officially opened for play, with nine of the intended eighteen holes completed. For almost thirty years the Club thrived and expanded to 18 holes at Rushmere, but by the early 1920s concerns were growing regarding public access across the course and the limitations of the site.

By March 1924, dissatisfaction with Rushmere Heath had become significant enough for the Club to begin exploring the possibility of either altering the existing course or relocating entirely.

The Search for a New Home

During 1924 and 1925, the Club investigated several possible locations before attention turned to land at Black Heath, part of the Broke Hall Estate to the east of Ipswich.

On 12th February 1925, the Club formally resolved to seek expert advice regarding the creation of a new eighteen-hole course and instructed the Secretary to consult one of the greatest figures in golf:

James Braid

Braid first inspected the proposed site in March 1925 and immediately recognised its potential. Importantly, the committee records from the period refer consistently to the area as Black Heath — there was no mention at that stage of “Purdis Heath”.

James Braid was already one of the most influential names in golf. Winner of The Open Championship five times between 1901 and 1910, he later became one of Britain’s greatest golf course architects, designing or redesigning over 200 courses across the United Kingdom.

James Braid’s First Visit to Black Heath – February 1925

One of the most significant documents in the history of Ipswich Golf Club is the original report submitted by James Braid following his first inspection of the land at Black Heath in 1925.

Dated 28 February 1925, the letter was written shortly after Braid visited the site on 26 February 1925 at the invitation of the Club committee. At the time, Ipswich Golf Club was searching for a new permanent home to replace the increasingly restricted Rushmere Heath course.

Writing from Walton Heath Golf Club, Braid immediately recognised the quality and potential of the Black Heath landscape, describing it as:

“admirable in every way for constructing a really first-class course.”

The report provides a remarkable insight into Braid’s early vision for what would become Purdis Heath. He identified the natural qualities of the land, noting:

• the excellent heathland terrain,
• the plentiful supply of sand suitable for bunkering,
• and the opportunity to create “a course full of variety and pleasant to play.”

Braid also outlined practical recommendations for the construction of the course, including:

• the development of tees, greens and bunkers,
• crossing points over the ponds and mere,
• tree clearance,
• and the preparation of wide fairways framed by managed heathland.

Importantly, the document repeatedly refers to the site as:

“Black Heath”

There is no mention whatsoever of “Purdis Heath” at this stage, providing important evidence that the modern name emerged later during the Club’s relocation discussions.

Braid estimated that the course could be constructed for approximately £4,000, excluding water supply works, and concluded the letter by offering to continue advising the Club on the development of the project.

Perhaps most strikingly, he observed:

“I can assure you if the site was within reasonable access of London, two courses would be constructed immediately.”

The letter marks the beginning of one of the most important periods in the Club’s history. Braid would return to Black Heath on several further occasions during 1925 and 1926, refining the course layout and helping shape what remains today one of the finest inland courses in East Anglia.

Nearly a century later, the surviving course still reflects many of the principles identified in Braid’s original vision for the Suffolk heathland landscape.

Braid’s first routing proposal for the new Ipswich course is believed to have been completed during 1925, although no surviving copy of this original layout is currently known to exist. However, following revised land negotiations, Braid returned and prepared a further design in 1926 — a routing that substantially survives within today’s Purdis Heath course.

What’s in a Name?

One of the most fascinating aspects of the Club’s history concerns the creation of the name Purdis Heath itself.

The land acquired by the Club was historically known as Black Heath, and it appears the Club originally intended the new course to carry that name. However, an important complication arose. There was already an established and highly respected club in South London named Blackheath Golf Club, founded in 1608 and recognised as the oldest golf club in England.

To avoid confusion, the committee sought an alternative identity for the new course. The neighbouring land and parish included Purdis Farm and Purdis Lodge, and from the combination of “Purdis” and “Black Heath” emerged the entirely new name:

Purdis Heath

In reality, there had never historically been an actual heath known by that name. The Club itself effectively created the title that has since become synonymous with Ipswich Golf Club.

Henry Munro Cautley and the New Clubhouse

No individual played a greater role in shaping the future identity of the Club than Henry Munro Cautley.

A distinguished Ipswich architect and Diocesan Architect for the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Cautley became central to the Club’s development during the 1920s. His architectural work across Ipswich included:

• St Augustine’s Church,
• the Golf Hotel on Foxhall Road,
• and The Walk precinct in Ipswich town centre.

Cautley not only became Captain of the Club in 1927 and in 1928 but also played a major role in the design of the new clubhouse and surrounding land.

The clubhouse itself, completed in 1927, reflected his distinctive architectural style of the period and remains one of the defining visual features of Purdis Heath today.

The Informal Opening – October 1927

As construction progressed rapidly during 1927, the Club resolved that the old Rushmere course should close and that the new course at Purdis Heath would open informally in October 1927.

On Saturday 15 October 1927, Captain Henry Munro Cautley struck the ceremonial first drive to mark the opening of the new course.

At the same time, Cautley demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to the Club by donating additional land from the Broke Hall Estate to secure the future growth of Ipswich Golf Club — land that would later become vital in the development of the Club’s nine-hole course.

The Official Opening – 16 June 1928

The official opening of the new course took place on Saturday 16 June 1928 and represented one of the most significant moments in the Club’s history.

The event brought together some of the greatest golfers of the era, including:

• James Braid,
• J.H. Taylor,
• Abe Mitchell,
• and Henry Cotton a young professional who would later become one of Britain’s greatest golfers:

Henry Cotton

The occasion symbolised the arrival of Ipswich Golf Club as one of the leading inland golf courses in East Anglia.

For members and visitors alike, the Purdis Heath course quickly became admired for:

• its natural heathland character,
• strategic bunkering,
• subtle greens,
• and Braid’s intelligent use of the rolling Suffolk landscape.

Expansion and the Bixley Course

Although the new course had only recently opened, plans already existed during the late 1920s for additional golf land and future expansion.

The land donated by Henry Munro Cautley in 1928 would eventually help enable the creation of a second course for the Club. Proposals for a nine-hole course were discussed as early as 1928, though many years would pass before those ambitions became reality.

Finally, in 1967, Ipswich Golf Club officially opened its new nine-hole course at Bixley.

In a remarkable link between the Club’s past, the course was formally opened by:

Henry Cotton

Nearly forty years earlier, Cotton had been one of the professionals who participated in the official opening celebrations of the James Braid-designed Purdis Heath course in 1928.

This extraordinary continuity connected two great eras in British golf and completed a significant chapter in the Club’s development.

A Club Built on Vision

From the Victorian pioneers at Rushmere Heath to the vision of James Braid and Henry Munro Cautley, the history of Ipswich Golf Club is one of ambition, innovation and stewardship.

Today, Purdis Heath remains not only one of Suffolk’s finest golfing venues, but also a lasting tribute to the individuals whose foresight created a course and clubhouse of enduring quality for future generations.