Southampton's port has played a pivotal role in history for various reasons. The Titanic set sail from the docks in 1912, with a third of those that perished hailing from the city. During the Second World War the city was heavily bombed in what was known as the Southampton Blitz as the docks were one of the main embarkment points, playing a major part for D-Day.
While Southampton is often linked to its maritime heritage, it also has a notable golf scene with a few historic courses located slightly inland, and these clubs have added a distinct dimension to the city's sports culture beyond its well-known maritime connections, including the 1961 Penfold Tournament which was co-hosted by Southampton Golf Club (Municipal) and Stoneham Golf Club.
Southampton Municipal
Known affectionately as “The Muni,” the Southampton Municipal Golf Course is a par 70, 6,174-yard, 18-hole championship course set amidst mature parkland. Designed by five-time Open Champion J.H. Taylor, it opened in 1935 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the finest municipal courses in southern England. At its peak, it was regarded as the best municipal course in the entire country.
The course was the vision of Sir Sidney Kimber, part of a groundbreaking Sports Centre complex that positioned Southampton as a pioneer in municipal sports facilities in the pre-war era. At a time when golf was largely reserved for the wealthy, with exclusive private clubs that often barred working-class individuals and even professionals from clubhouses, Southampton Muni stood apart. It welcomed all players from its inception—a tradition that continues today.
Club secretary Don Campbell once remarked in the Daily Echo in 2004: "Birdies are hard to make as many greens are elevated and you can't actually see the holes," highlighting the course’s challenging nature.
Stoneham Golf Club
Opened in 1908 and designed by Willie Park Jr., Stoneham Golf Club is often compared to the prestigious Sunningdale Old Course. Set on stunning heathland on Southampton’s northern boundary, Stoneham has long been regarded as one of England’s finest inland courses. The layout features five par-5s and five par-3s, providing a diverse and challenging round for golfers of all skill levels.
Stoneham has earned a reputation for producing low-handicap golfers, with its beautiful yet demanding course drawing praise from enthusiasts. Former Penfold staff player and renowned golf broadcaster Ken Brown once described it as “one of the finest inland courses in England.”
Playing at Stoneham Golf Club in the summer is a delightful experience, with its lush greens and vibrant landscapes creating a stunning backdrop for a round of golf. The warm sunshine casts a golden hue over the rolling fairways, while firm conditions make each shot a test of skill and strategy. The perfect greens allow for exceptional shot-making, rewarding precision and creativity. Each hole presents its own unique challenges, from strategically placed bunkers to tricky water hazards, inviting golfers to push their limits. The combination of the club's welcoming atmosphere from both members and the wonderful professional staff, enhances the enjoyment, making our visit very memorable. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a newcomer, Stoneham offers a perfect blend of beauty and challenge that captures the essence of summer golf.
The course is not long at 6,392 yards (par 72) – and is all the better for it - but there are times when you are restricted from the tee, so it does play a bit further than the scorecard suggests. This is done with a brook at the fourth, cross bunkers at the sixth, a natural valley at the 11th, another ditch at the 15th and again at the 17th.
The 18th is a long uphill Par 5 that only the longest of hitters would dare attempt to reach the green in two. The green is flanked by three bunkers on the left and two on the right making approach shots treacherous.
The 1961 Penfold Tournament
The Penfold Tournament was a prominent golf event on the British PGA circuit, running intermittently between 1932 and 1974. Sponsored by Penfold Golf, the tournament was often held at coastal resorts across the UK, with local councils sharing the hosting costs. The 1961 edition was notably co-hosted by Southampton Municipal Golf Course and Stoneham Golf Club, a rare instance of a tournament splitting venues, and the only split event Penfold would host. That goes to show you just how highly regarded Southampton Municipal was in its pomp.
Ken Bousfield, a leading British professional golfer and six-time Ryder Cup player, claimed victory at the 1961 Penfold Tournament, defeating Bernard Hunt by six strokes. This dual-venue event further cemented Southampton’s status as a notable location in the history of British golf.
Bousfield was well known for his incredible short game skills and was no stranger on the British circuit. Coming in off the back of winning the Portuguese Open, a title he defended from the year before, Bousfield was in fine form. His total score of 266 (65, 69, 66, 66) was just too consistent for his rivals to keep up with, yet during his presentation ceremony he told the audience he had been playing badly for months! The Glasgow Herald reports "Watching his skill on and around the greens throughout the tournament one would have imagined that is was the natural product of a player full of confidence".
It's the final word The Herald leaves on Stoneham in connection with the meagre support for the tournament that gets the eyebrows raised - "For four days the weather more than averagely good - the rain on Saturday did not even threaten until the last players were in their stride - but there were no galleries of more than 300 and even those were confined to a couple of matches. Perhaps tournament promoters will be more generous in future to the golfing enthusiasts of Scotland and the Northern area of England".
This seems like a bitter comment from the writer, and considering there are few and far events held in the South of England area these days - in our eyes perhaps modern-day tournament promoters need to give courses like Stoneham another try.
Southampton’s blend of maritime heritage and sporting tradition offers a rich tapestry that goes beyond its storied port. The city’s golf courses, with their historic significance and welcoming nature, provide a distinct and enduring chapter in Southampton’s narrative, inviting both history enthusiasts and golf lovers alike to explore this multifaceted South Coast haven.