The History of Atherstone Golf Club   During the 1890's the game of golf was becoming so popular that new "golf links" were being developed throughout the country. In 1894, ten gentlemen met at The Red Lion Hotel with the intention of forming a Golf Club at Atherstone and by the end of the year a 9 hole course was laid out on land known as "The Outwoods", rented from the common rights holders. The land used for the golf course was considered to be the finest natural landscape in the Midlands for playing golf on and those original holes, although they have been developed and improved, are still in play today. The course attracted many famous players who over the years came to play in exhibition matches and following John Hunt's appointment as the Professional in 1927, the club's reputation for producing its own great golfers has escalated. John's sons Bernard and Geoffrey were born at the club in 1930 and 1935 respectively and soon had golf clubs in their hands. Bernard turned professional in 1946 and Geoffrey followed suit in 1951, both resulting in tremendous golfing achievements such as Ryder Cup appearances, many National Open wins and Bernard even played in the US Masters in 1964 and 1965. The course continued to produce great players and although retaining his amateur status, Ronnie Hyatt recorded an unprecedented list of achievements both locally and nationally including 22 Club Championship wins. Then along came Paul Broadhurst who followed a stunning amateur career of national title wins and England Team events culminating in winning the Silver Medal at The Open Championship, with an exceptional Professional record to date. Paul has won five European Tour Events and also played in the Ryder Cup in 1991. Next at the club was the emergence of Steve Webster, who also enjoyed an excellent amateur phase of his career, playing for England and winning many events before becoming the second member of Atherstone Golf Club to win the Silver Medal at The Open Championship. Steve has since gone on to play some superb golf as a Professional player and long overdue, was his first win on the European Tour in Italy in 2005. Maybe Steve will become the club's fourth Ryder Cup Star in due course. In addition to these players, John and Martin Reay, Rob Challis, Ian Ross, Andy Stokes, Steve Baxter, Steve Brotherhood, Paul Preston and Duncan Elbury are amongst those members who have become professional golfers. The Golf course was substantially developed in the early 1990's when an additional 60 acres of land was acquired from Sir William Dugdale's neighbouring estate, being superb natural golfing land, which enabled the club to extend the course to 18 holes. The new course was officially opened in 1994, the club's centenary year, with an exhibition match between Paul Broadhurst and Peter Baker and Geoffrey Hunt and Steve Webster, followed by a Grand Gala Event. 10 Years on, the additional holes have integrated well with the original golf course and members and visitors enjoy playing what is considered to be a most interesting and picturesque course laid out on a natural golfing landscape.