Founded in 1888 by a group of London Commuters on land leased from Lord Radnor on, what was then, land on the outskirts of the town. (now occupied by the Lynwood Estate). Sugar Loaf Hill is centre back and the line of trees below it was the New Road but is now Churchill Avenue.

Originally 9 holes from 1888 to 1908 when the course was increased to 18 holes and formally opened by A. J. Balfour. The distinguished visitor arrived in his motor - a magnificent Napier car in company with Lady Elcho. he was met at the gates of the clubhouse by Sir Edward Sassoon Bart M.P. and Mr Mitchell the secretary of the club and shortly afterwards by the Mayor of Folkestone (Alderman F. Hall) After speeches a foursomes was played over the newly extended course between A. J. Balfour who was partnered by J. Southon, the local professional, and Sir Edward Sassoon the captain of the club, who was partnered by Bernard Nicholls of international repute. The match was halved. After the event A. J. Balfour and Lady Elcho retired to Sir Edward's weekend house party where they were joined by Lord Elcho and Winston Churchill.

It was one of the first courses in the area that recognised lady golfers and they had their own local champion. Miss Daisy Jeffrey who was one of the most prominent golfers of the 1890s.

Dress Code in 1890s - Men to appear on the course attired in gaiters. heavy woolen socks, knee breeches, red coat with brass buttons and deer stalker hat. The ladies attire was a red hip length coat with white lapels, long black dress and straw boater with a band in club colours.  

Donated by Chris Wells

Founded in 1894, was a full 18 Hole Course situated on the hills behind Hythe. It was a downland course built on green sand with natural hazards of spinneys, ponds, ravines and sand quarries and blessed with magnificent views over the channel, the North Downs and Romney Marsh. When formed the club was so popular it had a mixed membership of 500. It was also a very wealthy club with the likes of Sir Edward Sassoon, Lord Wakefield and Baron D'Erlanger amongst it's members. The course which adjoined Shornecliffe Army Camp, was requisitioned by the Army in both wars and received significant damage in the second, to such an extent that there was no driving force at the end of the war to restore it. As a result the club died, the course was subsequently used for grazing sheep until acquired by the Radnor Estate in 1965

David Jacques of the Hythe Imperial Golf Club found this item in a copy of Ward Lock & Co. Visitors Guide to Folkestone 1937.

The Hythe Golf Club (Sene Valley) a Course of 18 holes is close to Hythe Station. Visitors (either ladies or gentlemen), introduced by members, 3s 6d per round. 5s Saturdays and Sundays; 25s a week; 60s a month. Sunday play with caddies.

On Saturdays and Sundays between 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. ladies must not play without the secretaries permission.

The motor buses between Hythe and Folkestone pass a point which is only five minutes walk from the course.

In 1965 The Radnor Estate purchased the site of the former Hythe Golf Course and engaged Henry Cotton to design a new course using the bones of the old course as a starter. They also constructed a new clubhouse. The new course was then leased back to the members in 1966. Some of the original course in the area of what was the 1st and 18th holes, was sold of for residential development to help pay for the construction of the new course and that area is now occupied by Sene Park. To compensate for the loss of those 10 acres, a further 18 acres were acquired at Whitenbrook on the eastern boundary. Henry Cotton retained one or two of the old holes and turned a number through 180 degrees but it was also necessary to create new holes. 

So the present Sene Valley Course occupies most of the original area of the old Hythe Course but the configuration of the holes are different.

Henry Cotton designed and opened the Sene Valley course in 1966.

(this photo is displayed in the dining room)

Our most prolific golfer since the early 1980s until today, has been Jack Hamilton, Jack has had his name added to the honours boards no less than 40 times, as well as holding the 

course record for 21 years and 3 months, an all round achievement that will surely never be equaled  Jack as also been Club Champion 6 times since  the competition began 1989. see Honours Boards

Charles Whiting 100 years old on 17th October 2009.

On the right is a photo taken at Charles Whiting's party held at the Club. Charles was the professional for 35 years the first 10 years were at the Folkestone Course and the rest at  Sene Valley . The Chairman was in attendance and offered any assistance together with bottles of wine, which Charles appreciated. As Charles entered the Lounge the members gave him a standing ovation, which got the party of to a good start. He also appreciated the many cards including one from the Veterans Section. With Charles in the picture, is his Granddaughter. 

A former prisoner of war Charles hails from a well-known golfing dynasty and was born in 1909, the year J. H. Taylor won the Open at Royal Cinque Ports. He served in the Royal Navy during the 2nd world war on the destroyer Havoc, which was later captured by enemy forces after the ship foundered on the sandbank off Tunisia. He then spent part of the year in a prison camp in the Atlas mountains on being released he served on HMS London. Mr. Whiting began his golfing career aged 14 as an apprentice to his uncle Andy, at Tolladine Golf Club and later Boughton Park Golf Club in Worcester where he remained until 1931.

Charles's career included a stint alongside another uncle, Albert, at Folkestone Golf Club where he was an assistant.

 He returned to Malvern St. Andrew as a professional and Greenkeeper in 1935 but two years later joined the PGA in 1937 and became assistant to Bill Dean at a new course at Ham Manor in West Sussex. 

G. E. Bernheim, Croix de Guerre.

2nd Reg., D'Artillerie Lourdes.

Born in London on 4th September 1894.he was a Gunner in the 2nd Heavy Artillery Regiment Killed on 6th October 1915 at Perthes-les-Hurlus in the department of the Marne aged 21 during the second battle of Champagne.

C. W. Blackall

Lieutenant Col.The Buffs.

At his death aged 41.,on 24th March 1918 he was a temporary Lt. Col. attached to the South Staffs Regiment. He was twice mentioned in dispatches and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

He had previously served in the South African War

R. Z. Drake Brockman, MC.

Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery.

Ralph Zouch Drake Brockman, Killed on 29th September 1917 aged 29, he is buried in Kandahar Farm Cemetery near Nieurwerke, Belgium.

He was out on reconnaissance with a Colonel and Captain of the Royal Engineers when a shell burst near them and he was struck by a shell splinter.

His brother Lieutenant Alfred Drake Brockman, in the same brigade was on observation duty and was making his way to his post where he met the stretcher bearers conveying the wounded party. He was informed that his brother was slightly wounded, but that the Colonel was seriously wounded. So, having spare dressings in his pocket, he felt it his duty to go to the colonels aid. On his return, he found that his brother had died on the way to the dressing station. The colonel died the next day.

Lieutenant Drake Brockman was the eldest son of Alfred Drake Brockman of 112 Sandgate Road Folkestone. This gallant officer received His Majesty's commission in 1915 and went to France on September 18th 1916.

he had previously served in Folkestone as a soldier and notary. He was well known in the town and district. He was a valued member of the Folkestone Philharmonic Society.

W. Eric Berridge

2nd Lieutenant, 6th Somerset Light Infantry

Died of wounds aged 22 on 20th August 1916 and is buried in Heilly Station Cemetery Mericourt L'Abbe, France which is situated South West of Albert.

On 18th August the 6th Somerset Light Infantry took part in fighting close to Delville Wood and it is possible that he was seriously wounded that day and taken to one of the CCS at Heilly.

Heilly Station Cemetery served a group of three Casualty Clearing Stations set up in 1916 which bore the brunt of the congestion caused by the enormous casualties of the 1st July 1916.

A. Corbett Edwards

Captain Royal West Kent Regiment.

He was killed in action on 9th October 1915 during the battle of Loos. In his battalion 24 officers and 800 men went into action and only one officer and 250 men remained effective after the action.

He lived at Danehurst Folkestone. He was a good all-round sportsman and very popular in town. He was the son of Sir Bevan Edwards, former M.P. for Hythe. He took a keen interest in local affairs, especially The Royal Victoria Hospital. At the beginning of 1915 he became a J.P. In April he was congratulated by the Recorder at the Quarter Sessions.

He was a moving spirit of Folkestone C.C. and an all-rounder of quality for Hythe, Folkestone and other teams in the district.

Clive Griffin, MC and Bar

Lieutenant Royal Field Artillery TF.3rd Home Counties Brigade.

He was reported dangerously wounded at the end of September and died on 11th November 1916 and is buried in the Salonika (Lembet Road) cemetery.

He was educated at Tonbridge School and went to France on 21st December1914.

F. H. Haden

2nd Lieutenant. 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade attached to the 11th Trenched Mortar Battery

He was killed on 4th November 1917 and is buried in Monchy British Cemetery, Monchy-le Preux, France.

W. A. Menzies

2nd Lieutenant. Royal Garrison Artillery.163 Siege Battery

He was killed on14th June 1917 and is buried in Dickenbusch New Cemetery, Belgium.

G. Rennie

Captain 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards.

R. P. Shaw

Captain 5th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers attached 2nd Battalion.

C.C. Stanfield

Captain 3rd Battalion The Buffs.

R. H. Ames

Captain 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment.

Robert Henry Ames died on 6th January 1916 aged 27 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial. Son of the late Thomas Ames JP and Mrs. Ames of 29 Clifton Gardens, Folkestone.

He was commissioned in the Leicestershire's from the Special Reserve in 1911 and promoted Captain in February 1915. 

There is a photo of him in the Folkestone Express of 22nd September 1916.

W. H. Ames

Lieutenant. Royal West Kent Regiment.

Son of the late Thomas Ames JP and Mrs. Ames of 29 Clifton Gardens, Folkestone. He was commissioned in 1912. While at breakfast at Cambrai, "he ordered his platoon into trenches. Shortly after they came under rapid fire from the German Artillery and he showed himself cool under fire". From the history of the Royal West Kent Regiment.

V. W. Ames

Lieutenant.9th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment.